Posted on 12/11/2006 6:29:15 AM PST by xzins
What happened to Joseph the father of Jesus
We know very little about the years of Jesus prior to His public ministry. The gospels are without notation of any childhood events beyond Christ's birth except one reference that is found in Luke. It is the very last time that Joseph, the adoptive father of Jesus, is ever mentioned.
Luke 2:41 reads: "Every year his parents went to Jerusalem for the Feast of the Passover. When he was twelve years old, they went up to the Feast, according to the custom. After the Feast was over, while his parents were returning home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but they were unaware of it. Thinking he was in their company, they traveled on for a day. Then they began looking for him among their relatives and friends. When they did not find him, they went back to Jerusalem to look for him. After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers. When his parents saw him, they were astonished. His mother said to him, 'Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you.' 'Why were you searching for me?' he asked. 'Didn't you know I had to be in my Father's house?' But they did not understand what he was saying to them. Then he went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. But his mother treasured all these things in her heart. And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men."
It is supposed that Joseph, the father of Jesus, died during the quiet years of Jesus' life. We do know that he trained Jesus in his trade, as that of a carpenter. He do know that Joseph and Mary had children after Jesus was born: James, Joses, Simon, and others.
Perhaps the cause or timing of his death is not nearly as important as the strength of character he displayed. In first hearing about Mary's pregnancy, Joseph did not want to subject Mary to public scorn. After hearing from the angel who confirmed Mary's incredulous story, Joseph obediently accepted the role as surrogate father for the baby Jesus, the Christ child. Matthew 1:24-25 says, "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. And he gave him the name Jesus."
The last reference about Joseph in Luke confirms that Joseph was a devout follower of the customs of his religion with his observance of Passover. It implies that Joseph made certain of good spiritual training for the children in his family. Joseph proved his integrity and willingness to be obedient to God's direction and guidance.
In short, it is likely that Mary & Joseph had other children.
Lu 1:36 And, behold, thy cousin (SUGGENES) Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren.
Luke 14:12 And he said also to him who did call him, `When thou mayest make a dinner or a supper, be not calling thy friends, nor thy brethren, nor thy kindred, nor rich neighbours, lest they may also call thee again, and a recompense may come to thee; These lists demonstrate that words are being distinguished from one another. There is a distinction between a man's brothers and his "kindred, blood relatives, kinfolk, cousins." IN SHORT, the Protestant position MUST be admitted to be entirely tenable, and those who reject fellowship based on this difference are being difficult with other Christians."
Lu 21:16 And ye shall be betrayed both by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolks, and friends; and some of you shall they cause to be put to death.
Mr 6:4 But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, but in his own country, and among his own kin (SUGGENES), and in his own house. Note the distinction Jesus draws between "kin (SUGGENES" and "own household." They knew the difference between cousins and brothers.
Mt 13:55 - Is this not the carpenter's son? Is not His mother called Mary? And His brothers James, Joses, Simon, and Judas?
Mt 12:46 - While He was still talking to the multitudes, behold, His mother and brothers stood outside, seeking to speak with Him.
Mt 12:49 - And He stretched out His hand toward His disciples and said, "Here are My mother and My brothers! This is a very interesting passage in that Jesus intentionally distinguishes between these "fellowship brothers" and the "brothers associated with Mary."
Mr 6:3 - Is this not the carpenter, the Son of Mary, and brother of James, Joses, Judas, and Simon? And are not His sisters here with us?" And they were offended at Him.
Ping
Better put on that flame-proof suit!
See post #1
Hey, Marlowe, can I have a pair of Hugo Grotius flame-retardent underroos? Thanks.
:>)
If she had no children other than Jesus, that would certainly have been reported by Luke. Although Jesus was certainly unique, he was not an only child.
Can you post a link?
Where do we KNOW this from?
The Hugo Grotius® label Arminian Asbestos Undergarments are made from the finest northern European asbestos and are intended to protect the wearer from the torches of their Calvinistic antagonists and to provide maximum comfort when escaping persecution by the Calvinst swarms while locked inside old book boxes.
Somehow, don't think the Calvinists will be your antagonists on this thread.
See the scriptures above at post #1
"What happened to Joseph the father of Jesus"
Obviously, if you follow the thinking on some of the other threads, since there is nothing said about his death you have to assume he did not die and was just taken up into heaven. We may be on good grounds for thinking this since Matt. 1:19 says he was a just (righteous) man so he qualifies for going passed death and right into his eternal reward. We also have the dry run so he woudn't be suprised in Matt. 1:24 where the angel "raised him". All we need now is a date to celebrate "The Assumption of Joseph".
Sure. It's called "Christ in the House of His Parents" (alternate title, "The Carpenter's Shop"), and was considered pretty scandalous when it was first exhibited, in 1850.
http://encyclopedia.quickseek.com/images/Millais-christ-in-the-house-of-his-parents.jpg
Sort of security blanket, I guess. :>)
I married into a Catholic family who looked at me as though I were crazy for saying, point blank, that James was the half-brother of Jesus (as in, son of Joseph and not God). It got brought up because they kept making reference to "Mary, the ever-virgin". I had asked why they called her that b/c of her having other children. Man, that was uncomfortable.
If I am looking at this correctly. Jesus is very clearly portrayed as the YOUNGEST sibling. And this would have eliminated any possibility of the others being children of Mary (though not necessarily Joseph).
I was reading on another thread how Mary was supposedly completely devoted to Jesus and that is supposed evidence that she was unique among all human beings. But here we have Mary and Joseph both unaware that their son was not even with them when they left Jerusalem and not discovering that fact for at least 24 hours.
The implication here is that Mary was so busy with other duties, i.e., tending to her younger children, that she didn't even notice that her oldest son was not among the company.
Now in todays society, both Mary and Joseph would have been charged with child neglect and Jesus would have ended up in a foster home pending a complete investigation by child protective services.
Funny that this is the only mention in the Bible of the pre-ministry relationship between Mary and Jesus.
Somehow, don't think the Calvinists will be your antagonists on this thread.
Sigh - if only some people would get around to changing their underwear...
|
UNDERWEAR  According to Grotius, Christ's death was a public |
HILARIOUS!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.