Joseph Crouching

myminifactory

Joseph's faithfulness in the face of unexpected circumstances is a testament to his character. As the husband of Mary and earthly father of Jesus, Joseph is often depicted as a man of strong convictions. According to the New Testament books of Matthew and Luke, Joseph was a devoted follower who strived to do what was right and to do it with integrity. When Mary revealed her pregnancy to him, he knew that the child could not be his, but he chose to act with fairness and love. He wanted to break off their engagement without causing shame to Mary. During this time of consideration, Joseph received a visit from God's messenger, confirming Mary's story and convincing him that she had not been unfaithful. The Lord instructed Joseph to marry the young woman and honor her virginity until the baby was born, which he did with obedience. Joseph's willingness to reconcile his natural doubts with faith is admirable. As a spiritual and faithful man of integrity, he must have found it challenging to accept the miraculous circumstances surrounding Jesus' birth. However, from the moment of the heavenly visit, Joseph realized that Jesus was destined for something extraordinary. The details of their relationship are unclear, but Joseph's devotion to Mary and her child is evident. This artwork can be accessed in its entirety here.