The Other Father of Jesus - Matthew 1:16-25
Posted by Calvary Chapel Fremont at 6/20/2010 8:05 PM 
Categories: uncategorized
Tags: Pastor Tim Brown Calvary Chapel Fremont Father Jesus Matthew
Categories: uncategorized
Tags: Pastor Tim Brown Calvary Chapel Fremont Father Jesus Matthew
Pastor Tim Brown, Calvary Chapel Fremont, Sunday June 20, 2010
The Other Father of Jesus - Matthew 1:16-25
Some material from The Good Father/Abba, Joseph! | Touchstone March 2009 | p13ff
I wonder if Jesus ever had difficulty explaining Joseph.
“Jesus, my dad says your dad is a good carpenter.” | “He’s not My real dad.” | “That’s strange – he almost worships you. What happened to your real dad – dead, divorced, ditched you?” | “It wasn’t like that. If you knew My real Dad you wouldn’t say that.” | “Did your real dad and mom live together…? | “No… it’s hard to explain.”
What do we do w/ Joseph? In both theology/Christian history Jesus and Mary overshadow Joseph to the point where he is barely visible.
In England there are nativity scenes for sale that exclude Joseph. These appeal to the single mother/lesbian couples. What would a politically correct nativity look like? No Mary for gay couples? Wise Women for the feminist crowd? No baby Jesus for atheists? What do we do w/ Joseph? Do we just get rid of him, like some in England do?
We don't have many examples of good fathers in the Bible. Abraham/Lot/Isaac/Jacob/David? What kind of man is the other father of Jesus? Step-father assumes broken family. Step-father steps in after death/divorce/desertion - absence of real father.
* Is Jesus' family broken? Is God absent? Is Joseph taking God’s place? How do we explain Joseph? In terms of the narrative, he is a minor figure who plays a major role in bringing forth Christ.
Christ is born of Mary and Christ is borne by Joseph. Mary carried Jesus in her womb, but Joseph carried Jesus in his arms.
* We might not be able to call Joseph a Christian, but he is certainly a Christopher, a Christ bearer. God said to Joseph, “I want you to play a part in bringing forth Christ”. God says same to you and me. You are a Christian, but are you a Christopher?
* Joseph is an example of one who bears Christ/gives way to Christ/gives Christ to the world/allows Christ to overshadow him. Joseph, the other father of Jesus, is a excellent example of what all fathers should be. God wanted Jesus to have a godly father.
At one time, the absence of a father was viewed as a tragedy; today, it is accepted as a legitimate alternative way to raise children. In some circles, fatherlessness is even planned/welcomed. Our commercial/popular culture ridicules fathers as bloated buffoons, epitomized by the cartoon character Homer Simpson… The following versions of masculinity are sold to us by today’s mass culture: the haughty CEO/emasculated wimp/ charming gangster/prima donna athlete/postmodern cynic/playboy for whom sex has become sport. Joseph was none of these.
A RIGHTEOUS MAN 19-20 Man of grace and not law
But if this charge is true, that the girl was not found a virgin, then they shall bring out the girl to the doorway of her father's house, and the men of her city shall stone her to death… Dt. 22:20-21
M1:19 …not wanting to disgrace her… = to point out/make example of/expose. Could have pressed in w/ the law and had her stoned. Mercy triumphs over judgment – this is story of Christmas/heart of J.
This is a father’s heart – not to ignore, but to conceal the failures of his family. Not to lie/hide, but to shelter/protect. Had he pressed in w/ the law he never would have borne/carried Jesus Christ. When you respond in judgment, you minimize your potential 2b Christophers/diminish the impact of your ministry & life. Man forgiven $10M/sued for $10. When you trash relationships you lose your potential to bear Christ to your family/city.
Joseph’s restraint is a lesson in managing one’s impulsive rage/controlling one’s temper. A spiritually mature man is not governed by the storms of wounded masculine pride. (Today, death for stepping on tennis shoes/making eye contact).
o A REASONABLE MAN 20
He planned, he considered - no willfulness/impulse. To put her away secretly was the first thing that came to mind, but he didn’t rush to judgment – he was considering it. He didn’t think it was a no-brainer, even though it seemed so obvious.
It is easy to rush to judgment, especially when we think we have all the facts. Joseph didn’t! Had he rushed to judgment he would have been crushed in the judgment of history. But as it was, his were probably the 1st hands to hold Jesus – 6 lbs, 3 oz. of pure deity.
God planned for Jesus to have a godly, earthly father.
How I need to heed this example. Quick to hear, slow to anger/ speak. It is manly to wait/consider/deliberate. (womanly, too)
When his betrothed comes to him and says, “I am pregnant,” Joseph’s response is not, “Well, it’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas.” He is humiliated publicly and privately. But he obeys, and believes the incredible… he sees the task of fatherhood as more important than the self. Joseph is also a great advocate of adoption… He testifies to the nobility of a self giving love that transcends blood/genetics.
A REVELATION MAN 20
A man who heard the voice of God – but in the context of mercy/ reasonableness. How often have I missed the leading of God being agitated in my spirit toward another. There are decisions I have made in the past that, when I now look back, I wish I would have waited longer – given consideration to the situation, even though it looked like a no-brainer at the time.
As a godly man, he released his family n2 the hands of God. If God wanted to do something in the life of one of his family w/o consulting J/getting his permission, He could do it – J wasn’t going to stand in the way. Joseph didn’t have an iron grip on his family. In fact, there was now a great expectation for God to break in. He knew he needed God to help him to raise his family.
God moved in Jesus' life through J – from God/thru J/to Jesus. Fathers, God wants to move in the lives of your children thru you. RUNA place where this can happen? Anger/impurity/indifference will block the flow of God 2u/thru you. There will come a time where you will not be needed. Cf. Jesus @ age 12 – very conscious of His real Father. Make the most of the time you have.
Also notice that he was a relaxed man. 1:20 An angel appeared to him in a dream. Cf. 2:13, 19, 22. Just about every time he appears, Joseph is asleep. The next time your wife says, “Taking a nap again?” “No, getting 2a place God can speak to me.”
A RESPONSIVE MAN 24-25
Did as the angel of the Lord commanded him -
Took her as wife – suffered social humiliation
Kept her a virgin – exercised physical/sexual restraint
Called His name Jesus – didn’t call Him after himself/Joseph wasn’t seeking a name, but gave way to the name above all names.
As a father, he furthered and advanced Jesus Christ. Joseph didn’t build anything of importance/didn’t provide leadership to any great assembly of men/not a trail blazer/law giver/nation builder. He was simply a Christopher. This is the greatest contribution of a father.
Measured by today’s standards of manliness, Joseph may seem like a failure. His fiancée was pregnant w/ someone else’s child, he was unable to provide for her a suitable place to give birth and was forced to take refuge in Egypt... Joseph’s humility/‘ordinariness’ stand in stark contrast to the commanding manliness of today’s wealthy CEO or to the haughty, intellectual snobbery of a university professor.
Yet Joseph embraced his responsibilities w/ manly fortitude/humility/righteousness/ charity/self sacrifice. Despite great adversity/humiliation, which may have broken a man of less strength of character, he persevered, trusting that God would strengthen him in his efforts to provide for the Holy Family. He consistently put aside his own ego in the service of God and family.
The first one Jesus called Abba, was Joseph. God shows us in Joseph what it means to image the fatherhood of God.
What do we do w/ Joseph? We follow His example and take his lead. For as he bore Christ and gave Christ to the world, as he gave way to Christ, he is a trail blazer/grace giver/nation builder for righteousness exalts a nation. He’s a church builder too, for as Christ is given the church is built. Joseph wasn’t a Christian, but he is truly great because he was a Christopher.
A father is 2b:
A righteous man - exercises mercy in failure
A reasonable man - exercises restraint in judgment
A revelation man - allows God to help him lead his family
A responsive man - follows the leading of God
We bear the gift of Christ to our children/family/world. Let us be Christians who truly are Christophers.
“Pastor, my children are out of my home and I am no longer over them as I was when they were children and I wasn't a Christopher.” Maybe not over them but ur next to them – be a Christopher in that position.
B4 he could bear Christ, he had to receive Christ.
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The Other Father of Jesus - Matthew 1:16-25
Some material from The Good Father/Abba, Joseph! | Touchstone March 2009 | p13ff
I wonder if Jesus ever had difficulty explaining Joseph.
“Jesus, my dad says your dad is a good carpenter.” | “He’s not My real dad.” | “That’s strange – he almost worships you. What happened to your real dad – dead, divorced, ditched you?” | “It wasn’t like that. If you knew My real Dad you wouldn’t say that.” | “Did your real dad and mom live together…? | “No… it’s hard to explain.”
What do we do w/ Joseph? In both theology/Christian history Jesus and Mary overshadow Joseph to the point where he is barely visible.
In England there are nativity scenes for sale that exclude Joseph. These appeal to the single mother/lesbian couples. What would a politically correct nativity look like? No Mary for gay couples? Wise Women for the feminist crowd? No baby Jesus for atheists? What do we do w/ Joseph? Do we just get rid of him, like some in England do?
We don't have many examples of good fathers in the Bible. Abraham/Lot/Isaac/Jacob/David? What kind of man is the other father of Jesus? Step-father assumes broken family. Step-father steps in after death/divorce/desertion - absence of real father.
* Is Jesus' family broken? Is God absent? Is Joseph taking God’s place? How do we explain Joseph? In terms of the narrative, he is a minor figure who plays a major role in bringing forth Christ.
Christ is born of Mary and Christ is borne by Joseph. Mary carried Jesus in her womb, but Joseph carried Jesus in his arms.
* We might not be able to call Joseph a Christian, but he is certainly a Christopher, a Christ bearer. God said to Joseph, “I want you to play a part in bringing forth Christ”. God says same to you and me. You are a Christian, but are you a Christopher?
* Joseph is an example of one who bears Christ/gives way to Christ/gives Christ to the world/allows Christ to overshadow him. Joseph, the other father of Jesus, is a excellent example of what all fathers should be. God wanted Jesus to have a godly father.
At one time, the absence of a father was viewed as a tragedy; today, it is accepted as a legitimate alternative way to raise children. In some circles, fatherlessness is even planned/welcomed. Our commercial/popular culture ridicules fathers as bloated buffoons, epitomized by the cartoon character Homer Simpson… The following versions of masculinity are sold to us by today’s mass culture: the haughty CEO/emasculated wimp/ charming gangster/prima donna athlete/postmodern cynic/playboy for whom sex has become sport. Joseph was none of these.
A RIGHTEOUS MAN 19-20 Man of grace and not law
But if this charge is true, that the girl was not found a virgin, then they shall bring out the girl to the doorway of her father's house, and the men of her city shall stone her to death… Dt. 22:20-21
M1:19 …not wanting to disgrace her… = to point out/make example of/expose. Could have pressed in w/ the law and had her stoned. Mercy triumphs over judgment – this is story of Christmas/heart of J.
This is a father’s heart – not to ignore, but to conceal the failures of his family. Not to lie/hide, but to shelter/protect. Had he pressed in w/ the law he never would have borne/carried Jesus Christ. When you respond in judgment, you minimize your potential 2b Christophers/diminish the impact of your ministry & life. Man forgiven $10M/sued for $10. When you trash relationships you lose your potential to bear Christ to your family/city.
Joseph’s restraint is a lesson in managing one’s impulsive rage/controlling one’s temper. A spiritually mature man is not governed by the storms of wounded masculine pride. (Today, death for stepping on tennis shoes/making eye contact).
o A REASONABLE MAN 20
He planned, he considered - no willfulness/impulse. To put her away secretly was the first thing that came to mind, but he didn’t rush to judgment – he was considering it. He didn’t think it was a no-brainer, even though it seemed so obvious.
It is easy to rush to judgment, especially when we think we have all the facts. Joseph didn’t! Had he rushed to judgment he would have been crushed in the judgment of history. But as it was, his were probably the 1st hands to hold Jesus – 6 lbs, 3 oz. of pure deity.
God planned for Jesus to have a godly, earthly father.
How I need to heed this example. Quick to hear, slow to anger/ speak. It is manly to wait/consider/deliberate. (womanly, too)
When his betrothed comes to him and says, “I am pregnant,” Joseph’s response is not, “Well, it’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas.” He is humiliated publicly and privately. But he obeys, and believes the incredible… he sees the task of fatherhood as more important than the self. Joseph is also a great advocate of adoption… He testifies to the nobility of a self giving love that transcends blood/genetics.
A REVELATION MAN 20
A man who heard the voice of God – but in the context of mercy/ reasonableness. How often have I missed the leading of God being agitated in my spirit toward another. There are decisions I have made in the past that, when I now look back, I wish I would have waited longer – given consideration to the situation, even though it looked like a no-brainer at the time.
As a godly man, he released his family n2 the hands of God. If God wanted to do something in the life of one of his family w/o consulting J/getting his permission, He could do it – J wasn’t going to stand in the way. Joseph didn’t have an iron grip on his family. In fact, there was now a great expectation for God to break in. He knew he needed God to help him to raise his family.
God moved in Jesus' life through J – from God/thru J/to Jesus. Fathers, God wants to move in the lives of your children thru you. RUNA place where this can happen? Anger/impurity/indifference will block the flow of God 2u/thru you. There will come a time where you will not be needed. Cf. Jesus @ age 12 – very conscious of His real Father. Make the most of the time you have.
Also notice that he was a relaxed man. 1:20 An angel appeared to him in a dream. Cf. 2:13, 19, 22. Just about every time he appears, Joseph is asleep. The next time your wife says, “Taking a nap again?” “No, getting 2a place God can speak to me.”
A RESPONSIVE MAN 24-25
Did as the angel of the Lord commanded him -
Took her as wife – suffered social humiliation
Kept her a virgin – exercised physical/sexual restraint
Called His name Jesus – didn’t call Him after himself/Joseph wasn’t seeking a name, but gave way to the name above all names.
As a father, he furthered and advanced Jesus Christ. Joseph didn’t build anything of importance/didn’t provide leadership to any great assembly of men/not a trail blazer/law giver/nation builder. He was simply a Christopher. This is the greatest contribution of a father.
Measured by today’s standards of manliness, Joseph may seem like a failure. His fiancée was pregnant w/ someone else’s child, he was unable to provide for her a suitable place to give birth and was forced to take refuge in Egypt... Joseph’s humility/‘ordinariness’ stand in stark contrast to the commanding manliness of today’s wealthy CEO or to the haughty, intellectual snobbery of a university professor.
Yet Joseph embraced his responsibilities w/ manly fortitude/humility/righteousness/ charity/self sacrifice. Despite great adversity/humiliation, which may have broken a man of less strength of character, he persevered, trusting that God would strengthen him in his efforts to provide for the Holy Family. He consistently put aside his own ego in the service of God and family.
The first one Jesus called Abba, was Joseph. God shows us in Joseph what it means to image the fatherhood of God.
What do we do w/ Joseph? We follow His example and take his lead. For as he bore Christ and gave Christ to the world, as he gave way to Christ, he is a trail blazer/grace giver/nation builder for righteousness exalts a nation. He’s a church builder too, for as Christ is given the church is built. Joseph wasn’t a Christian, but he is truly great because he was a Christopher.
A father is 2b:
A righteous man - exercises mercy in failure
A reasonable man - exercises restraint in judgment
A revelation man - allows God to help him lead his family
A responsive man - follows the leading of God
We bear the gift of Christ to our children/family/world. Let us be Christians who truly are Christophers.
“Pastor, my children are out of my home and I am no longer over them as I was when they were children and I wasn't a Christopher.” Maybe not over them but ur next to them – be a Christopher in that position.
B4 he could bear Christ, he had to receive Christ.
WOW. Really spoke to me about some attitude struggles I've been wrestling with. Thanks, Pastor Tim.
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