"A Son's Perspective"

 

“A Son’s Perspective”

 

In December 2022 I posted five articles about some of the more “behind the scenes” people surrounding the birth of Christ. I included Joseph under the title “The Quiet Man” because Scripture records no words he spoke. But his actions by faith speak louder than any words ever could. In Matthew 1:19 he’s called “…a righteous man….”, a designation all of us would welcome.

After Jesus’ miraculous birth Joseph and Mary had four sons and (in my view) at least three daughters because the question was asked, “Aren’t all (Jesus’) sisters with us?” (Matthew 13:56, emphasis added). Initially His brothers didn’t believe He came from God (see John 7:5) but after His resurrection and ascension they gathered with His disciples and other followers in prayer (Acts 1:14). Two of Joseph and Mary’s sons, James and Jude, were later used by the Holy Spirit to write New Testament epistles.

Recently I was reading in James when I saw something I never had before in 1:19: “Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.” (Emphasis added.) I realized  to my shame that I’ve often been slow to listen and quick to speak and become angry. I asked God for His forgiveness and pray almost daily that I’d “…not merely listen to the word (but)…Do what it says.” (James 1:22, emphasis added).

As I was praying about this need in my life about two weeks ago (I’m writing this in mid-December) a thought struck me: was the Spirit using James’ perspective of his father when he wrote Verse 19? Was Joseph quick to listen? Yes—four times he followed divine directives unhesitatingly and was used by God to be part of Jesus’ birth and protection. Was he slow to speak? Apparently so because we know of nothing he said. Was he slow to become angry? Yes—he was willing to be in the background when God entered human history in the Person of His Son (“The Word became flesh and lived for a while among us.”—John 1:14).

Joseph likely died before Jesus began His public ministry so James probably lost his dad as a young man. But Joseph left him (and his mother and siblings) a great legacy of faith. I have to ask myself: what will be my children’s/grandchildren’s/great-grandchildren’s perspective of me when I’m with the Lord? I pray that by God’s grace it’ll be even a small bit like Joseph’s.

 

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan