He Protected, He Provided, He Persevered - Joseph Persevered Faithfully

 The Bible discloses only a few more traces of Joseph's life, but they  are worth considering carefully.  Read read that Jesus  "continued subject to them" -his parents.  We also find that "Jesus went on progressing in wisdom and in physical growth and in favor with God and menl." (Read  Luke 2:51, 52)  What do those  words reveal abotu Joseph? Several things.  We learn that Joseph continued taking the lead  in his household, for his perfect son respected his father's authority and remained in subjection to it.

We further learn that Jesus continued to grow in wisdom. Joseph surely had much to do with his son't progress in that regard. In those days, there was a time-honred proverb  among the Jews. It can still be found and read today.  The saying asserts that only men of leisure can become truly wise, whereas tradesmen,  such as carpenters, farmers, and blacksmiths, "declare justice and judgment; and they shall not be found where parables are spoken." Later, Jesus exposed the emptiness of the proverb. As  a boy, how often he had heard his adoptive father, humble carpenter, though he was, teach effectively about Jehovah's "justice and judgment"!  No doubty, there were countless occasions. 

We can also see evidence of Joseph's influence in Jesus' physical growth.  A wel-cared-for boy.  Jesus grew into a strong healthy man.  Further, Joseph trained his on to be skilled at his physical work. Jesus was known not only  as the carpenter's son but also as "the carpenter." (Mark 6:3)  So Joseph's training was successful. Family heads wisely imitate Joseph, caring for the practical well-being of their children and ensuring that they can suppport themselves. 

Once we reach the point in the Bible record where Jesus is baptized at about the age of 30, we find that Joseph is no longer part of the story.  Evidence suggests that Mary was a widow by the time Jesus began his ministry.   Yet, Joseph left a clear mark-a shinning example of a father who prortected his family, provided for them, and persevered faithfully to the end. Any father, any family head, or any other Christian wold do well to imitate the faith of Joseph.

When Did Joseph Die?

We know that Joseph was alive when Jesus was 12 years old. At that age many Jewish youths began to learn their father's  trade and become apprentices at 15.  Joseph evidently lived long enought to teach Jesus to be a carpenter.  Was Joseph still living when Jesus began his minsitry at about 30 years of age? That seems very doubtful.  Jesus' mother, brothers, and sisters are all mentioned as living at that time but not Joseph. Jesus was once even called "the son of Mary," not the son of Joseph.  (Mark 6:3)  Mary is spoken of as acting and taking the initiatives on her own, without consulting a husband.  (John 2:1-5)  That would have been unusual in Bible times unless she was a widow.  Finally, as he was dying, Jesus entrusted the care of his mother to the apostle John.  (John 19:26, 27)  There would have been no need to do so if Joseph were still living. Likely, then, Joseph died when Jesus was still relatively a young man. As the eldest son, Jesus undoubtedly took over the carpentry business and cared for the family until his baptism. 

Next time: Why Pray in Jesus' Name? /The Bible's answer

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