Joseph: Protector of Christ

Joseph gets little attention in the Bible. But this is a man God chose to perform a task very close to His heart: Protect and nurture God's Son. A task not entrusted to just anyone. Joseph had high expectations to live up to, and he delivered. Joseph became the protector of Christ. He first protected Christ before he was born by not divorcing Mary for being pregnant. Then after Jesus' birth as he followed the angel's directions moving to Egypt and back. Joseph became very skilled at hearing and following God's instructions. But to me the most significant action Joseph took to protect and defend Christ is seen his decision to move back to Nazareth. In Matthew 2 Joseph is warned in a dream for the third time. Warned about the danger that still lurks in Judea for God's son. In considering this, Joseph makes an executive, fatherly decision to move his family back to Nazareth to raise Jesus away from Judea and in a safe, obscure place. No angel told him this. No dream, no revelation. Joseph came to this decision on his own through his own wisdom and experience. And it was perfect! This is a notable achievement for Joseph who has had his steps all but dictated to him previously. Through his own discernment and love for God's son he reached this decision. Here Joseph displays for us an example of the place where we all need to be in our relationship with Christ. We are His protectors now. We are his defenders. It is our place now to make wise discerning decisions about how we are to live, who we associate with and what we do as it relates to Christ. Does your lifestyle endanger Christ's lordship in your life? The things you do, the places you go, the people you associate with? Joseph changed his life to honor and protect God's son in his home. We should do the same for God's son in our our heart. Be Christ's protector today.