Four Surprises for Joseph

Four SurprisesFour Surprisesfor Josephfor Joseph

Matthew 1:18-25; 2:13-15

Joseph-Joseph-the nearly

INVISIBLE INVISIBLE manof the story!

Joseph’s Name•Named after Joseph son of Jacob

Joseph’s Age•As young as 13-14•Perhaps in his 30’s

Joseph’s Trade•Carpenter/Contractor•Farmer

Joseph’s Status•Not wealthy, but poor

Joseph’s Character•A righteous man•Devout•Full of faith•Obedient•Merciful

Joseph: the Husband

•Quiet and unassuming

•A good provider•Protector

Joseph: the Father•Adopted Jesus legally

•Protected Jesus from harm

•Fathered other children

What happened to him?

•No definitive word•Disappears after Jesus is 12 and before Jesus is 30.

•He probably died.

FOUR SURPRISESGod sent Joseph

A PREGNANTPREGNANT FIANCEE

•Mary was engaged to be married to Joseph,

•But she became pregnant!

A PREGNANTPREGNANT FIANCEE

•He decided to divorce her quietly

•Avoid making her a public example

A PLAN PLAN TO FOLLOW

•“Go ahead with your marriage to Mary.”

•“She will have a son, (from the Holy Spirit) and you are to call him Jesus.”

A PROPHECYPROPHECY FULFILLED

•“All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet, ‘He will be called Immanuel (meaning God with us).”

A PLOTPLOT FOILED•Jealous Herod tries to kill baby Jesus

•Joseph is warned•They escape to Egypt•He protected his family

CONCLUSIONAlthough Joseph did not have as big a role as Mary in the coming of Christ to Earth, he repeatedly and immediately obeyed the angel of God.