Some thoughts for Fathers’ Day – based on an all-age sermon preached in Brecon.
The father of Jesus.
Jesus is the Son of God. The Heavenly Father is his Father, and has always been from before the beginning of the world. But as a child, Jesus had an earthly father also – Joseph. He wasn’t the real father of Jesus – God was.
But Joseph did marry Mary, Joseph did bring Jesus up, Joseph did become the foster father of Jesus. Jesus, indeed, was known as “Jesus of the son of Joseph the Carpenter of Nazareth”.
So we are going to be thinking about the two fathers of Jesus.
Joseph
You know the Christmas story - Joseph had found out that Mary was going to have baby. They were not yet married, and Joseph knew it wasn’t his child. It must have been terrible for him to think that Mary had betrayed him with another man, and terrible for Mary that Joseph should think that. It was a terrible time of suffering for both of them. Joseph decided to break off the engagement, and to do it privately because he didn’t want to cause more pain to Mary. He still loved her.
The Angel spoke to Joseph in a dream. “Joseph do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, because the baby she is going to have is from the Holy Spirit. she will have a son and you should call him Jesus (the Lord saves) because he will save his people from their sins”.
So Joseph did what the Angel had said – he took Mary as his wife, and the child in her womb became legally his.
Then they had a terrible time. Joseph and Mary had to go all the way to Bethlehem, and her child was born in a stable. They had to flee in order to escape from Herod’s soldiers to the land of Egypt. In all this Joseph cared for Mary and Jesus. He protected them, he guarded them, he provided for them.
Have you ever wondered why, in Matthews Gospel, when he tells us about the wise men coming to the house where the Holy Family were lodging, there is no mention of Joseph?
On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshipped him. (Matt 2: 11)
Where was Joseph ? I think he was out working as a carpenter somewhere – he was earning money to support his wife and child.
Later the Holy Family returned from Egypt and settled in Nazareth. Joseph made sure Jesus could read and write. He took him to the village school in the synagogue where the Rabbi taught the boys to read and instructed them in God’s Law. Jesus learned to love God’s word.
Joseph also trained Jesus in the carpenter’s trade. Together they would work at the bench, making chairs, and beds, and yokes for animals.
Later we read of Jesus being referred to as “the carpenter of Nazareth” - and no mention of Joseph. So it is very likely that Joseph died when Jesus was in his early twenties. Jesus then became head of the family - running the business with his younger brothers.
Joseph was, in so many ways, an ideal father. He was loving and caring, he was honest and righteous ( wanted to do the right thing). He protected his family.
In St Joseph’s RC Primary school in Brecon there is a the statue of Joseph and the boy Jesus, represented in modern dress. Jesus stand in front of Joseph and Joseph has his hands on his shoulders. Beautifully expressive of protection and care, and pride in his son.
Joseph provided for his family, he trained his children both in God’s Law and in the carpenter’s trade. he was a good father. And Jesus wasn’t even really his child!
Joseph is a real encouragement and inspiration. Not just to all fathers but especially to foster fathers and step-fathers.
He showed all the characterisics of the good father:
· LOVING
· CARING
· RIGHTEOUS
· PROTECTING
· PROVIDING
· TRAINING
God our Father
I want us to think about God now as our Father. He is the Father of Jesus in a very special way, but he is also our Father. We are his sons and daughters, although not in the same way that Jesus is. But if we believe in Jesus we are children of God.
Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God (John 1: 12)
When and Mary lost Jesus at the age of 12 in Jerusalem they eventually found him in the Temple. He said them, “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?”
Jesus knew from an early age that God was his Father.
Let’s think about the characteristics of a good father. They are true of Joseph but they are even more true of God. All earthly fathers take their lead from God as Heavenly Father.
· LOVING
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. (John 3: 16)
· CARING Casting all your care on him; for he cares for you. (1 Peter 5:7)
· RIGHTEOUS God is holy and pure. He wants us to be holy like him. he will forgive our sins if we repent.
· PROTECTING And we can turn to him at all times
· PROVIDING
For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
(Matt 6: 32-34)
· TRAINING He has given the Bible, his Word, and sent his Spirit to help us understand.
Conclusion
Some people have never known the love of a good father (or father-figure) in their lives. That is very sad.
But everyone can turn to God, who is a father to the fatherless, and whose purpose for each one of us is one of love.
All he wants is us to do is respond to his love.
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