Joseph and Mary were good parents. They did what they were supposed to do. Parents, this does not guarantee everything will go according to plan for you and me. It does provide the necessary grounding for good lives well lived. 

Parenting is a challenge. Even the best parents are often pushed to the limits of their patience, wisdom, and stamina. (It is as if I can hear every mom and dad who reads these words say, “Amen!”)

However good Joseph and Mary were as parents, they experienced a challenge none of us has: Jesus was the perfect child. 

There are delusional moms and dads who think their children are kinda sorta like Mary Poppins: Practically Perfect In Every Way. Even if they cannot see the imperfections in their little darlings, the rest of us have fewer problems in spotting the spots of sin and rebellion. 

The New England Patriots and Jacksonville Jaguars played in the Super Bowl in Houston years ago. I was flying somewhere the next day and had an encounter with a mom and her little darling. Actually, everyone within several gates participated in the encounter.

A woman of advancing age and her son were preparing to fly away home. The son was pushing forty and acted like he was fourteen. His every impulse and action declared his mindset was that of a thoroughly spoiled brat. 

He made loud demands of his mother. He slouched low in his seat. He blocked the aisle with his posture. He talked loudly on his cell phone for all to hear. He complained about everything from the game to the airport. 

This was a wonderful object lesson. Two important insights arose from this encounter. First, our children are much better children than that guy. Second, I am a much better parent than that woman. What I just wrote in the last two sentences is also true for you. Trust me on this.

She was not the perfect mom. He was not the perfect child. 

Joseph and Mary were not perfect. They did, however, have the perfect child. Talk about challenges!

There have been times aplenty when my bride and I have had to look our children in the eyes and say, “I am sorry. I was wrong. Please forgive me.” It is hard, and necessary, to acknowledge our failures. One of the most important lessons in life is to get good at delivering sincere apologies. 

The next time we see Jesus in this chapter, he has grown toward manhood. He is in that in-between state of thinking and acting like a child and thinking and acting like a man. Here is what we can deduce from Joseph and Mary’s parenting skills: Their failures did not transfer to Jesus in negative behavior on his part, but he received them in preparation for that one day on a hill far away on the emblem of suffering and shame. 

Jesus the loving and dutiful son would bear any burden for his parents, even their sin (and ours). 

What Joseph would never see, what Mary could not bear to look upon, Jesus would take and wash away in his own blood. 

What a good boy! 

What a fine young man! 

What a Savior!

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