Joseph’s Golden Ticket

Joseph is one of Scripture’s quiet heroes. He never preaches a sermon, never performs a miracle, never writes a book of the Bible—yet his life speaks volumes. God entrusted him with one of the highest honors any man has ever received: raising Jesus Christ.

But that honor was wrapped in a situation that would shake any man to his core.

Joseph was engaged to a godly young woman named Mary. Their future looked bright, honorable, and predictable—until he learned she was expecting a child. He knew one thing for certain: he wasn’t the father.

Imagine the weight of that moment.

Confusion.
Heartbreak.
Embarrassment.
A tidal wave of questions.

And behind all of it, the fear of the judgment that would come from family, friends, and the entire community. Everyone would have an opinion. Everyone would talk. Everyone would assume Joseph had either sinned—or been betrayed.

His stress level must have been sky-high.
So high, in fact, that God sent an angel directly into his dreams. Not a prophet, not a sign, not a gentle nudge—He sent an angelic reassurance to steady Joseph’s heart:

“Fear not… for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.”
(Matthew 1:20)

Joseph needed Heaven’s voice to drown out every other voice.

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Joseph and the “Golden Ticket”

Oddly enough, the other night I found myself watching the original Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. The whole world was in a frenzy, hoping to find one of those five golden tickets—each one granting access to something no one else could experience.

Millions searched.
Few found them.
Some even cheated.
(One man faked his ticket—false prophet indeed.)

But then came Charlie, the unlikely boy who discovered the last genuine ticket and was ushered into something beyond imagination.

It struck me: Joseph, in a far holier sense, lived through a moment like that.

He knew the promises of God.
He knew Messiah would come.
He knew a virgin would one day carry the Savior of the world (Isaiah 7:14).

That “golden ticket” was out there.
Some humble Jewish girl would be chosen.
Some man would stand beside her, shielding her, guiding her, and helping her raise the child who would save the world.

And then Joseph learns—possibly with trembling hands—that Mary, his Mary, is the one.
And he—carpenter, quiet man, ordinary servant—is the chosen earthly father of the Son of God.

Joseph likely wondered:
“Why me? Can I do this? What will people say? What if I fail?”

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A Golden Ticket of Your Own

Joseph’s story reminds us of something comforting and convicting:

God calls ordinary people to extraordinary roles.

Joseph wasn’t famous.
He wasn’t wealthy.
He wasn’t powerful.
He wasn’t superhuman.

He was simply obedient.

When God calls you to a task—a ministry, a responsibility, a burden, a role—it will often come wrapped in challenges, confusion, or criticism. His plans rarely arrive with applause; more often, they come with questions.

But as with Joseph, God never calls without equipping.
He never commands without guiding.
He never assigns without empowering.

And in His own way, He hands each of us a “golden ticket”—a chance to participate in His redemption story. A chance to be part of what He is doing in this world.

Some tasks will feel too big.
Some assignments will feel beyond you.
Some callings may stretch you, scare you, or humble you.

But if God chose Joseph—a quiet carpenter—to raise His Son, He can surely use you to accomplish what He has placed before you.

All He asks is what Joseph gave: obedience, trust, and a willing heart.