Considered a righteous man, Joseph's simple prayer was to know God in a special way. Never in his wildest imagining did he expect God's answer; Jesus, God's Son, the long awaited Messiah was to be born into his home. "How am I....; Who am I to raise the Son of God in my home." There have been many kings and conquerors; many prophets and priests; but only one man has ever been chosen to raise the Son of God in his home. His name is Joseph. Details of his life are few and yet what is said tells us a great deal about him. Left behind him is a legacy we would all aspire to, for the Bible records in Matthew that Joseph was a righteous man. Accepting the role God gave him he adopted Jesus, somehow finding a way to love him both as a son and as his God. At the same time he raised his own children with Mary. Somewhere between the 12th and 30th year of Jesus's life Joseph's calling was completed; premature from our perspective on his death, but not God's. Jesus would fulfill His purpose and carry away the sin of all mankind. On that foundation his family would join in helping build the church. It all took place more than two thousand years ago. What was Joseph like? How did it all happen? It could have been like this.
