JOSEPH: The Father of Jesus

And My Dad

Okay, don’t run off with your hair on fire, Joseph, the earthly father of Jesus. Is that better? Joseph was the father of Jesus, except that he was not his biological father. In the community and among the people, he was known as the father of Jesus. It is interesting, but as far as I can recall, none of his words are recorded in the Scriptures. There are narrations of his dreams, but his words are not recorded. The Mother of Jesus is given far more space in the Bible. There is an old joke about a child who was asked the names of Jesus’ parents in Sunday School. The little boy thought about it and said: “I think their names are Verge’n Mary.”  Okay, forgive me, one dad joke—it is Father’s Day!

What is interesting is Joseph’s importance as the father of Jesus. He obeyed the word of a messenger of God, an angel, four times.

1. In a dream, an angel told him to take Mary as his wife, creating a family for Jesus. Matthew 1:20-25.
2. He was told to move to Egypt to protect Jesus from Herod, Matthew 2:13-15.
3. He was told later when it was safe to return home to Israel, Matthew 2:19-21.
4. He was warned in a dream not to go to Judea, and so he went to Nazareth, fulfilling the prophecy about Jesus that He would be called a Nazarene, Matthew 2:22, 23.

Look at the words I highlighted: family, protect, home, Nazarene (identity). These are the very things a father gives. Joseph was a husband to Jesus’ mother, a protector of Jesus, he provided a home and gave Him, by following the angel, an identity as a Nazarene. Wow!

I think of it with my dad, Charles Allen. He provided family, safety, a home, and helped shape my identity. He was not perfect, but he was perfect for me. My sister, Judy, and I always knew Dad loved us. He was a WWII hero, but one would never know it. He lived his life as a humble, unassuming man. I only saw Dad really mad once, when an adult lied about me at 16, and Dad confronted him at his place of work, and wanted to meet him outside. Wisely, the man stayed in the building (protector). He worked hard all his life, from the Army to a Naval Ordinance Plant, to working with explosives in a Maryland plant, shoveling coal at a West Virginia power plant, to a nice job in a Defense warehouse, to working for our mom at a convenience store. (I might mention that Dad did all of this as 80% disabled from the war, and with a very noticeable limp.)

 He went to be with the Lord on February 14 over 25 years ago, and we still miss him.

He is not the Patron Saint of Fathers, but he is DAD; to me, that is his greatest title.

Happy Father’s Day,

Dr. James D. Allen

https://www.youtube.com/@overflowinghope180