A Just Man
St. Joseph was the guardian of our Lord Jesus Christ and the husband of St. Mary. Despite the significant role he plays in their lives, Joseph speaks not a word in the gospels. In fact, very little is known about him, but what is known is his loyalty to Mary and his eagerness to obey God’s Word, watch over his family, and work honestly with his hands, all fatherly and valuable lessons for the boy Jesus, who doubtlessly learned from his example. The church remembers St. Joseph on March 19th as a just and righteous man and guardian of Jesus.
In all, the biblical record of Joseph is limited to the gospels of Matthew and Luke. Both books trace Joseph’s lineage through David, establishing that that Joseph, the one betrothed to Mary, was an heir of David’s line. This is important detail for Jesus’ life since the messiah was foretold to be of the house of David, whose reign would be everlasting. Joseph is a resident of Nazareth, and his journey takes some twists and turns after he learns in a dream that his betrothed is with child, the Savior who is to be called Jesus. In the wake of this dream, Joseph believed the Lord’s messenger and took up his calling as the guardian of the Savior.
Already, the story of Joseph reminds one of another Joseph, the patriarch. Joseph, the son of Jacob, was also a dreamer who received wisdom from the Spirit, and even after being sold into Egypt—where the later Joseph would find himself—he leads a life of honesty and righteousness, much as our Lord’s guardian was known as an upright and blameless man. Philip Pfatteicher highlights the correlation between the two Josephs: “When Joseph flees to Egypt with his family, he recapitulates the pilgrimage of the patriarch Joseph as a preparation for the new exodus and the Christian Passover.”
While Joseph played a significant role in the lives of Mary and Jesus, he quickly drops off the scene after Jesus’ visit to the temple at age 12, and he presumably passed away sometime between then and the crucifixion. At the cross, Jesus gives Mary to John as his mother and him to her as her son, implying that Joseph is no longer present to care for her. Thus, Joseph seemingly did not live to see the crucifixion but nonetheless was a significant supporter of Jesus’ mission, which began with that first visit from the angel, where Joseph received a unique call for service to his Lord.
Brief History
The commemoration of Joseph is first recorded in France and appears as early as the eighth and ninth centuries. It later made its way onto the Roman calendar in the fifteenth century. Interest in Joseph then booms as many inquire into his life and background. The earliest depictions of Joseph are limited to the nativity scene, but starting in the eighth century, he makes more appearances in art, even occasionally found in depictions of just him and the baby Messiah. By the sixteenth century Joseph takes a more prominent role in pictures of the holy family, reflecting the growing reverence for him and his role in the Holy Family.
During the Reformation, Luther suggested that many of the public saint commemorations and retellings (espeically those given more to legend than fact) give way to Scripture readings but that one could retain what seemed fitting. Consequently, the Lutherans first and foremost retained the festivals directly related to Christ’s life and to those who are found in the Scriptures themselves, including St. Joseph. So to this day the Lutheran Church remembers St. Joseph in thanksgiving to God for his obedience in guiding his family through the perilous years of Jesus’ early life.
Collect
Almighty God, from the house of Thy servant David Thou didst raise up Joseph to be the guardian of Thy Son and the husband of His mother, Mary: grant us grace to follow the example of this faithful workman in heeding Thy counsel and obeying Thy commands; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end. Amen.
Lessons
Resources
Issues, Etc. interview with the Rev. Dr. Arthur Just on St. Joseph
Propers found in Daily Divine Service Book: A Lutheran Daily Missal, edited by the Rev. Heath Curtis
References:
1. Weedon, William. Celebrating the Saints. Concordia Publishing House. 2016.
2. Pfatteicher, Philip H. Festivals and Commemorations. Augsburg Publishing House. 1980.
3. Vitz, Evelyn Birge. A Continual Feast. Ignatius Press. 1985.
4. “St. Joseph in Art History”, Year of St. Joseph, 2021. https://yearofstjoseph.org/devotions/sacred-artwork/
Images:
1. Christ as a carpenter. St Joseph and Christ working around a carpenter’s bench, Jan Christoffel Jegher after Antoine Sallaert, Belgium, 1649.
2. Dream of St. Joseph, Gerard Seghers, Belgium, ca. 1630.
3. The Presentation of Jesus in the Temple, Fra Angelico, Italy, ca. 1540.
[…] we mentioned in our post about St. Joseph, the devotion to this saint flourished in the Middle Ages, and along with it came many sweet dishes […]