by Ricky Chelette, Executive Director
The Confusion About Men and Women
There is a lot of talk these days about what it means to be a man or a woman. Understanding masculinity has become increasingly difficult by a bombardment of terms like “toxic masculinity” and the evils of “patriarchy.” But what is a biblical understanding of masculinity? We can discover a lot about masculinity with a closer look at the Christmas narrative.
The story of Christmas primarily centers around two main characters: Mary and Jesus, and rightly so. For more than 2,000 years, the entrance of the Savoir of the world and his mother has captured the attention of secular and sacred thinkers, writers, and creatives. Never before or since has such an event occurred, nor has one birth and life transformed the world. Time, as we know it, is literally marked by this supernatural occurrence.
The Oft-Forgotten Third Character
However, there is another character in the incarnational narrative: Joseph, Jesus’ earthly father. Joseph is incredibly important in shaping Jesus’s earthly life. Joseph is only mentioned in Jesus’ life around the time of his birth and then again when he is twelve. In fact, the last mention of Joseph with Jesus is when, at 12, they made a yearly pilgrimage for Passover to the temple in Jerusalem (Luke 2:42-51). Mary and Joseph, along with other relatives and friends, completed the Passover celebrations and began to return to Nazareth, believing that Jesus was with the group. However, they discover Jesus was left behind. They return to Jerusalem to find Jesus in the temple teaching and “busy about his father’s business” (Lu 2:49).
Though not a single word spoken by Joseph is recorded in scripture, and his mentions are few, we can learn much about biblical masculinity from what is said about Joseph.
Biblical Masculinity on Display
- Joseph was a man of deep faith. Matthew records the most details about the birth of Jesus. Mt 1:19 states that Joseph “was faithful to the law.” In other words, Joseph knew God and desired to be faithful to Him, allowing God to choose Joseph as the father of Jesus. Masculine men believe God’s Word is truth.
- Joseph was a man focused on others rather than himself, resulting in a heart of compassion. Mt 1:19b goes on to say, “[Joseph] he did not want to expose her to public disgrace.” To protect Mary and keep her from public ridicule, Joseph was willing to do whatever was necessary to keep this seemingly impossible pregnancy from becoming a scandal. Masculine men are compassionate and selfless.
- Joseph was obedient to God’s commands. In Mt 1:20, an angel of God visits Joseph and explains that Mary is pregnant by the Holy Spirit. As unbelievable as this news is, Joseph believes the angel and takes Mary as his wife. His unwavering obedience demonstrates his love for God and his faith in God’s revelation. Masculine men obey God.
- Joseph protects what God has entrusted to him. When the angel visits Joseph a second time and warns him that he must go to Egypt because King Herrod is searching for Jesus and will kill him if found, Joseph immediately relocates to Egypt under the cover of night (Mt 2:13). Jospeh’s priority was to protect his family even if that meant relocating, abandoning his business and life in a familiar place for that which was unknown. Masculine men prioritize the protection and care of their families.
- Joseph was a learner. When the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph a third time, he instructed him to go to Judea. Joseph assumed this was back to Bethlehem. But as they made their way to Bethlehem, Joseph learned of Herod’s son taking the throne and knew he was as wicked as his father. As a result, Joseph redirects his family to Nazareth, where he and Mary will raise Jesus (Mt 2:22-23). New information mandated a change in plans. Masculine men are life-long learners.
- Joseph was a provider. Mt 13:15 states that Joseph was a carpenter. He used his skills to provide for his family and their needs. Masculine men are providers.
- Joseph pursued Jesus. When the family traveled to Jerusalem for Passover and Jesus somehow was separated from them on their return, Joseph returned to Jerusalem to find Jesus and bring him home (Lu 2:42-51). Masculine men pursue and engage their children.
Though little is written about Joseph and his time with Jesus was short, his impact on the earthly ministry was significant. Consider these seven masculine characteristics and notice how they are also seen in Jesus’s life.
- Masculine men believe God’s Word is truth. Jesus said, “sanctify them by your truth. Your word is truth” (Jn 17:17).
- Masculine men are compassionate and selfless. Jesus says, “No one takes my life from me. I give my life of my own free will” (Jn 10:18).
- Masculine men obey God. Ph 2:8 says about Jesus, “he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross!”
- Masculine men prioritize the protection and care of their families. While hanging on the cross, “Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to her, ‘Woman, here is your son,’ and to the disciple, ‘Here is your mother.’ From that time on, this disciple took her into his home” (Jn 19:26-27).
- Masculine men are life-long learners. Hebrews 5:8 states, “Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered.”
- Masculine men are providers. Jesus came to provide for us what we could not provide for ourselves: salvation and abundant life. John said, “For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved” (Jn 3:17). ” I came that they may have life and have it abundantly” (Jn 10:10).
- Masculine men pursue and engage their children. “We love because he first loved us” (1 Jn 4:19). Luke 15 records three parables told by Jesus: The Lost Coin, The Lost Sheep, and The Lost Son. Each parable exemplifies God’s veracious love and pursuit of His children.
Christmas would be an excellent time to embrace what it means to be a biblically masculine man. And if you are female reading this, affirm those men you see demonstrating biblical masculinity in your life. Our world needs biblically masculine men like Joseph. They aren’t necessarily the ones who garner headlines or make a big scene, but they are the ones who impact the world for good and leave a legacy that will change the world!