Essay/Term paper: Joseph

Essay, term paper, research paper:  Religion

Joseph
Joseph was born in the royal line of King David, but in his time the descendents of
David no longer held power or wealth. He left his ancestral home of Bethlehem in Judea
to become a builder and carpenter in the town of Nazareth in Galilee. There he met Mary
and became engaged to her. When she became pregnant before their marriage, he was
uncertain as to what he should do. He finally decided to break off the engagement in
accordance to the Law; but do to so quietly, so that she would not be subjected to charges
of adultery and quite possibly a death sentence. However, an angel appeared to him in a
dream and explained to him that God Himself was the father of Mary's child, and that
Joseph should not be afraid to marry her. Joseph accepted the angel's message and the will
of God and married Mary. After Mary's son was born, Joseph named him Jesus, as he and
Mary had been told by the angel. He raised Jesus as his own son, and likely trained him in
carpentry. The Gospels make no mention of Joseph during Jesus' adulthood, and so it is
likely that he died before Jesus' ministry began.
By marrying Mary, despite her pregnancy, and by accepting and naming Jesus,
Joseph became Jesus' father in the eyes of the Law; and by raising Jesus and caring for
Him, he became his father in all ways but one. Therefore, while God is truly the Father of
Jesus, Joseph can also be called His father. The Gospels call Joseph a "just" and
"righteous" man, and his righteousness can be shown in his acceptance of God's will,
despite inconvenience and public scandal; the care he showed to his wife and Son; and his
example, reflected in his Son.
I chose Joseph for a couple of reasons. One is he followed and payed attention to
what the angel came and told him. Another is his care for Mary and Jesus, and how he
taught Jesus carpentry. Other then his inconvenience and public scandal he did care very
much for Jesus when Jesus was born into the world.