Are you my Father

Being a parent is truly a blessing. It is an honor. Given the responsibility to influence the next generation. Leaving behind a legacy. Love is the greatest gift a parent can give to a child. I’d like to share a beautiful story between a Father and Son from within the pages of the Bible.

In the Gospel of Matthew, is the story about Jesus birth. We may all be familiar with the story. I’d like to take a closer look at the father in Jesus story:

Joseph

Joseph and Mary were engaged to be married. While they were planning the wedding and preparing to start the next chapter of their lives, God being sovereign, decided to give them their gift early. A special gift only they had the honor of receiving before all of humanity.

In Verse:

18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit. 19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly. Matthew 1:18-19

Mary, being a virgin, was highly favored by God, chosen to carry and give birth to the Savior, Jesus. Imagine, his reaction when she told him. How Joseph felt. How would anyone feel? He’d found out his fiancé, Mary is with child. The thought of his wife carrying a child, not of his own. Shocking, hurt, and confused.

In the same verse, Joseph thought it would be best to break the engagement in secret, rather than in public. History shows, in those times, the Jewish laws consider the engagement equivalent to marriage, except for the consummation (intimacy), and could be broken by a legal divorce. However, infidelity during that period on the part of the bride might have been punishable by death. There was a lot at stake and the decision rested entirely on Joseph.

If you’ll notice in the very same passage, Joseph was described as a “Just Man”. By definition, a Just Man, means “righteous man”, a moral person. He deeply loved Mary and did not want to humiliate her. He wanted to do the right thing. Only, what was the right thing to do?

20 But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. 21 And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.”

Joseph didn’t know what to do, but God had the solution. Joseph received an unexpected visit from an angel of the Lord. Delivering a message straight from the source. God chose Mary to be the mother of Jesus. God told Joseph to proceed with the marriage and to name the child, Jesus. God not only helped Joseph by giving him a clear answer, He had even endorsed their marriage and gifted Joseph with the name for the child. Heaven confirmed their marriage and life would be chosen to glorify Jesus.

All of this aligned to the prophecy foretold in the Old Testament, refer to Isaiah 7:14.

22 So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: 23 “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.”24 Then Joseph, being aroused from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took to him his wife, 25 and did not know her till she had brought forth her firstborn Son. And he called His name Jesus.

After Joseph arose from his sleep, being a just man, did as the Lord commanded. Much like Mary, Joseph did not hesitate or question the Lord. He step up into his divine assignment. He kept Mary and the baby safe. Joseph, fathered a child, who was not of his bloodline. He stepped up as a parent, a father figure, and a husband.

Are you my Father?

Father – (1): a male parent (2): a man who has begotten a child

Begotten : brought into existence by or as if by a parent

Although, dictionary supports the biological aspect of being a father. There are situations where this is not true. Who a father is, at times, differ from family dynamics.

Joseph was an example of a man who fathered a child, not of his own bloodline. Joseph could have walked away, left Mary, and followed a different course. But, he was a man of morals. He loved Jesus, because God loved him. Joseph was taught to love. God knew Joseph could be trusted to care for His son. The scripture shows Joseph willingness to follow God. He was obedient.

I say, he earn the title as Father. Like Joseph, there are many men who take on the role of a father. Caring for children, not biologically their own. Would we say, they don’t deserve to be called Father. I, am an example of a child, whose biological father is nowhere to be found. I’ve only met my biological father once in my entirely life. He’d abandoned me.

Yet, the man who has been with me from the time I was a baby, chose to step into the role of a father. He took me as his daughter. He, always tell me, “I took you everywhere with me.” I was his sidekick. LOL! There is more to just being a parent, it takes a lot to be a father. There are a lot of men, who reflect a father figure. They step in to inspire the children to greatest.

I am so blessed to have discovered early on that family isn’t always necessarily blood. I was blessed to be surrounded by a father figure. Children need to have a male figure in their life. One who resembles the traits of such a role model. Deep down, children desire to have a father. Just like we need God, the Father.

Father’s Day may look a bit different than the norm, but Embrace It! Thank you to all the coaches, teachers, pastors, uncles, cousins, stepfathers, and dads for doing the job out of love. For choosing to love by being present, listening, and inspiring us. Continue to teach others, how to be Kingdom men, kingdom fathers. God, is your guide.

Have a blessed Fathers Day!

Thank You!