He Protected, He Provided, He Persevered - Joseph Provided for His Family -Conclusion

 Imagine Jesus as a small boy watching his adoptive father at work.  His eyes wide and intent on Joseph's every movement, he no doubt admired the strength in those broad shoulders and sinewy arms, the skill of the hands, the intelligence in the eyes.  Perhaps Joseph began showing his young son how to perform such simple tasks as using dried fish skin to smooth out rough spots on wood. He likely taught Jesus the differences, between the varieties of wood that he used-the sycamore fig, oak, or olive, for example. 

Jesus learned too, that those strong hands that felled trees,  hewed beams, and pounded joints together wer also gentle hands that caressed and comforted him, his mother, and his sibllngs. Yes, Joseph and Mary had a growing family  that eventually includedat least six children in addition to Jesus.  (Matthew13:55, 56)  Joseph had to work ever harder to care for and feed them all. 

Joseph, however, understood that caring for his family's spiritual needs  was paramount. So he spent time teaching his children about Jehovah God and His laws. He and Mary regularly took them to the local synagogue, where the Law was read aloud and explained. Perhaps Jesus was full of questions afterward, and Joseph tried hard to satisfy the boy's spiritual hunger.  Joseph also took his family to religious festivals in Jerusalem.  For the annual Passover, Joseph may have needed two weeks to make the 75-mile journey (120 km), observe the occasion, and return home.  

Christian family heads today follow a similar pattern.  They give of themselves for their children, putting spiritual training above every other concern, including material comforts.  They go to great lengths to conduct family worship at home and to take their children to Christian meetings bot large and small.  Like Joseph, they know that there is no better investment they can make for the sake of their children. 

Next time: He Protected, He Provided, He Persevered - "In Mental Distress" 

From the jw.org publications