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JOSEPH

“You shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.”

matthew 1:21 (nasb)

Much like I wonder what it must have been like for Mary as the mother of Jesus, I enjoy reflecting about Joseph, Jesus’ earthly dad. It must have been difficult— raising Jesus to be a man, yet knowing He already had all and knew all He needed to. I can’t even fathom this challenge, can you?

And yet Joseph taught Him what he knew including his trade of carpentry. Jesus was known not only as a carpenter, but as a carpenter’s son. I can picture a young Jesus watching and learning from Joseph as they built and created new things.

Whether or not we have children, I believe it’s important to pass on our skills to the next generation just as Joseph was faithful to do. While job skills are important, spiritual disciplines are even more so. The disciplines of Bible study, prayer, fasting, meditation, and memorization are important skills the next generation must learn. These skills are caught not taught. Being faithful to apply them in our own lives first gives us stronger impact and credibility when we seek to pass them on.

Make me an instrument of peace, dear Lord.

Help me to be faithful to train those in my care to follow

You through what has been taught to me.