Issue #170, December 9, 2015
As we enter the Christmas season let’s look at one of the most influential couples in history, Mary and Joseph. Both were great servant leaders and as a couple they were powerfully used of God to shape our world. In this issue, we’ll look at Joseph and how he led as a servant leader. (Read his story in Matthew 1-2 and Luke 2.)
Joseph connected with God.
It is clear that Joseph’s relationship with God was strong. On at least four different occasions in the Christmas story God spoke to Joseph through dreams. He listened well and obeyed quickly each circumstance. We know Joseph also obeyed God as he took Jesus to the temple soon after the birth and when Jesus was twelve years old. When Joseph and Mary had done everything required by the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee to their own town of Nazareth (Luke 2:39). Servant leadership flows out of union with Jesus. It is that relationship which makes servant leadership different from all other forms of leadership. Joseph reminds us to keep our relationship with God strong and active.
Joseph controlled himself.
The first indication of Joseph’s leadership is indicated with the words “Joseph her husband was a righteous man” (Matthew 1:19). Joseph’s character was his primary strength. Servant leadership starts on the inside and flows outward. Character matters! Joseph’s character is reflected in the way he controlled himself in two areas. First, Joseph controlled his tongue; he was a man of few words. In fact, we don’t have a single recorded word that Joseph spoke! This is not to imply that servant leaders should not speak, but it is a strong reminder that the number of our words does not necessarily increase our influence! His actions spoke louder than his words. A second evidence of the fruit of self-control in Joseph’s life is reflected in the biblical account, “When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. But he had no union with her until she gave birth to a son” (Matthew 1:24-25). Joseph was ready to be married and to enjoy the physical beauty of that relationship. But he controlled his passions and challenges each of us as servant leaders to look at our own lives to see if we are self-controlled. In our physical appetites, our sexual desires, the exercise of our bodies, our emotions, and the use of our tongue we are called to be self-controlled like Joseph.
Joseph cared about others.
When Joseph discovered that his fiancée was pregnant, I’m sure he was deeply hurt. But his response showed a deep care and compassion for Mary. Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly (Matthew 1:19). Joseph did not focus on his disappointment; he was concerned for Mary. Joseph’s focus was outward, not inward. He reminds us that servant leaders do not respond to pain by inflicting pain on others. Instead they absorb that pain and respond in love. Joseph also showed his care for others as he raised Jesus like his own son although he was not biologically the father. Servant leaders are called to shepherd with love those entrusted to them and they reach outside their own natural circles to embrace others with the love of God. That’s the story of Christmas!
Joseph soon faded into the background; we hear very little about him after the Christmas story. But he reminds us that servant leaders are not concerned about becoming famous, they simply walk with God in humble obedience and love others. This Christmas season, the world can use a couple more servant leaders like that. Will you be one?
For further reflection and discussion:
- Read all of Joseph’s story in Matthew 1-2 and Luke 2. What else do you learn from his example?
- Reflect on your relationship with Jesus. Do you listen well? Do you obey quickly? In what way does your leadership flow out of this relationship?
- Reflect on your tongue. To what extent is your tongue controlled? Do you speak too little or too much? Is your tongue building and encouraging others or discouraging them?
- Consider the following areas of your life and evaluate the extent to which each is appropriately under control: physical body, thought life, sexual appetite, use of time, temper/anger, emotions, and finances. Is God inviting you to make changes in any of these areas?
- In what ways has your leadership this week reflected love for others? Is there someone outside your natural circle of relationships that God is inviting you to show love to this Christmas season?