Two humble men named Joseph provided bookends for Jesus' life on earth. There was Joseph, husband of Mary, who obediently cared for her as the time of giving birth drew near and then raised Jesus from childhood and trained Him also as a carpenter.
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Matthew 1:20 But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins."
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And there was Joseph of Arimathea, the rich man who gave his personal rock tomb for Jesus to be buried in.
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Mark 15:43 Joseph of Arimathea, a respected member of the council, who was also himself looking for the kingdom of God, took courage and went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus.
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The name Joseph means: "May God give increase". Through the faithfulness of the two Joseph's who were there at the beginning and end of Jesus' earthly time God brought great increase. One placed Him in a cradle, the other in a tomb. Jesus' earthly father was from the line of David so Jesus was confirmed as the Son of David and he protected and prepared Jesus for earthly life. Joseph of Arimathea protected the body of Christ and prepared that body for the dramatic and awesome resurrection from his personal tomb in a way that could not be denied.
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There is a role for us like there was for the two Joseph's. We are also called to prepare and present Jesus as our lives intersect with His and with others. May God continue to give increase!
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blessings,
Rob Smith
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"Death is inevitable. Life is a choice!"
John 11:25
Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live."
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