How the Work of Joseph Informs Your Work

Scripture — Luke 2:4-7 (NRSV)

So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.

Devotion

In yesterday’s Life for Leaders devotion, I began reflecting on work in the Christmas story. Mary’s work in giving birth to Jesus and then raising him drew our attention, reminding us that our work as human beings includes more than what we do for pay. Some of the most important and precious human work receives compensation other than a paycheck.

Today I’d like to think with you about Joseph’s work. Of course, he did not participate in the conception of Jesus in the way fathers usually do. His was a unique case. But Joseph surely had much work to do when it came to the birth of Jesus, not to mention his ongoing care and upbringing.

For example, Luke 2:4 says that “Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem, the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David” (2:4). Though we can’t be sure of the precise route Joseph took, this trip was likely about 80 miles. The traditional picture of Joseph walking beside a donkey on which Mary rode is a reasonable representation of what actually happened. But no matter the details, we can surely agree that an 80-mile journey by foot or on an animal, which included caring for a very pregnant wife, involved a lot of work!

Luke does not tell us what Joseph did to secure a location for Mary to give birth, though we rightly infer that this was not an easy task. “No room in the inn” and that sort of thing. And no phone service or internet to make it easier, either.

Also, we do not have a picture of the work Joseph did in support of Mary when she gave birth and began caring for the newborn Jesus. But our imaginations can fill in the blanks here. Though Mary’s work was absolutely essential and immeasurably harder than Joseph’s, his participation mattered. This would be even more true as Jesus grew up, especially when Jesus became old enough to be apprenticed into his father’s trade. Joseph’s work in raising Jesus was instrumental in the upbringing of the one who would one day be revealed as the Messiah and Savior of the world.

As I think about Joseph’s work in this story, I’m reminded of how much of our work in life usually gets little attention, little fanfare. Like Joseph, we don’t show up in the story as it’s usually told. I’m not complaining about this, mind you. But I am encouraged to be faithful in the work God has called me to do, whether or not anybody notices. The work itself has value. The work itself contributes to God’s work in the world. Moreover, even if nobody appreciates my behind-the-scenes efforts, God sees my work and is honored by my faithfulness.

The same is true for you in the “Joseph work” of your life. Whether you’re doing your paid work faithfully, or investing in your young children, or caring for an aging parent, or helping a spouse with cognitive impairment, or mentoring the child next door, or, well, you name it, your work matters. It matters to the people you’re serving, and it matters to God. God sees what you’re doing and is honored by your work.

When we realize that our “behind-the-scenes” work has value, we’re also encouraged to recognize the work of others, those who receive no fanfare or fame because of their labor. Years ago, my friend David told me about saying thank you to the man who cleaned the men’s restroom in a Dallas airport. I have never forgotten his story and have done as he did dozens of times since then. Just last week, for example, I was in the Nashville airport, using an exceptionally clean restroom. I found the person responsible and thanked him. He seemed startled at first and then grateful. I left feeling glad for the chance to have honored a man who, in the scheme of life, rarely receives much honor. He works in the background, like Joseph in the Christmas story.

Perhaps you can thank some “Joseph” today!

Find all Life for Leaders devotions here. Explore what the Bible has to say about work at the High Calling archive, hosted by the unique website of our partners, the Theology of Work Project. Reflection on today’s Life for Leaders theme can be found here: Father Figure.