Fathers Who Love Beyond Biology

“Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” 

Luke 2:49 (English Standard Version)

“You’re not my real dad,” Jesus said.

Okay, maybe we’re putting words in the mouth of a 12-year-old Jesus when His mom and dad asked where He’d been after they had been separated from Him for three days. And, although His parents must have known Jesus wasn’t the typical preteen boy, they were indeed His parents and rightfully concerned about Him. Yes, even Joseph, His stepfather.

As men, fathers or stepfathers, we can relate to Joseph in this moment. It had to sting a little when Jesus replied, “…I must be in my Father’s house?” Consider this for a moment—Jesus, the Lord and Savior of the world, was raised in a blended family by Joseph, His stepfather. Men are often without a foundation for establishing their authority where their wife’s children are concerned. This is one of the most common causes of divorce among spouses who attempted to enter into a blended scenario. 

Where do dads (stepdads) go for direction in preparing for their new role? To the one perfect Father, of course. But how is the role of being a stepfather addressed in the Bible? Just what authority do stepfathers have in the lives of a blended family’s children? Let’s ask WWJD—What Would Joseph Do?

Dad Action:

Blended family roles and relationships assume many roles. Describe your opportunities to influence others in a fatherly way.