1. What kind of love did Joseph have for Mary and Jesus?

Thoughts:

• Joseph was kindhearted
  • Chose not to divorce Mary publicly
  • It would have cost Mary her life

His act would have shown his love and compassion for her and her baby.

• He was a righteousness man
• He was a God-fearing man
  • Note: 1:20 NIV
• He was a man of faith
• He was concerned about how it would look…for Mary

Joseph’s belief system:

• It is not your kid
• She did not do anything wrong
• She still loves you
• She is innocent

And by the way, the Father of this child is the Holy Spirit.

1. Does Joseph understand who or what the Holy Spirit is?

• Ez. 36:26-29; 1 Sam. 16:12-14 NIV

Then there is the fear that the Holy Spirit would leave them.

• Psa. 51:11 NIV

1. It is going to be a boy
2. His name will be Jesus

• Iesous “Jehovah is salvation”

1. His purpose in life…he will save his people from their sins.

1st He is excited about marrying Mary

2nd He finds out she is pregnant 

3rd He has a dream with an angel telling him what is happening

4th He is excited that he will be a part of the boy’s life

5th He then learns that this child will ultimately die

Note: vs. 24 When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife.

Joseph, a man of integrity, loyalty, honesty, and true love goes about to do exactly what he is instructed to do.

1. He does what the Angel tells him
2. He takes Mary home to be his wife
3. He is faithful to her
4. He was privileged to name her son

• He names the boy – Jesus
  • Shows that Joseph believed the story
  • He understood the place that he would play in the life of Jesus
  • He gave place to the boy who would one day be his savior

Note: Luke 2

• Joseph takes his wife to Bethlehem
• He has Jesus circumcised on the 8th day
• You can see the role that Joseph is willing to take
• In fear of Herod killing the children in Jerusalem, Joseph takes a huge risk and takes his family down to Egypt.
• Luke 2:22
  • Joseph looks out for Mary and Jesus
  • Listens for the 4th time to the Angel
  • Ends up in Nazareth

Note: Luke 2:48; Matthew 13:53-56 NIV

We know that Joseph was not at Jesus’ crucifixion.

• John 19:26-27 NIV

Joseph loves Mary and Jesus.

He was a godly man.

• A righteous man
• Committed to his family
• Walked with God
• Listened to angels
• Had a huge influence on the life of Jesus