Part 4 of 4 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What of Joseph and Mary the two people God chose to parent Jesus?  Apart from the Nativity story and Jesus' childhood, we know nothing of Joseph and very little more about Mary.  Both of them are connected to the Patriarch Abraham through the line of King David along separate branches according to the genealogies of Matthew and Luke's Gospels.

 

There is a tradition that Mary was the born of extremely old parents (in the tradition of Abraham and Sarah) and that she was eventually orphaned and raised by the Temple priests.  When she was of marriageable age (13-15) the priests sent word out that they wanted a respectable husband for Mary from the tribe of Judah.  Among the many candidates was a 90 year old widower named Joseph who was selected by a miracle.  The events of the Nativity take place two years later and Joseph dies at age 111 before Jesus begins His earthly ministry.

 

Such a tradition dovetails nicely with another doctrine popular with the early Church regarding Mary's perpetual virginity.  This belief centered on the idea that if Mary is the mother of God, and Jesus was completely sinless, then His mother must share this attribute as well.  And of course, to the early Church fathers, having conjugal relations within marriage was a necessary evil for most people but not the mother of Jesus.  Apparently the ancients had some hang-ups about marital relations that we moderns simply don't share (which is probably good!).

The Protestant version, which is strictly tied to Scriptural data alone, has fewer problems.  Mary was kept a virgin until Jesus was born and then she and Joseph had 4 sons and unnamed daughters.  Joseph apparently died at an early age as there is no mention of him again after Jesus was in his teens.  What I find troubling in this version is that when Jesus was on the cross he put John the Apostle in charge of his aged mother.  If Jesus had six half-siblings why was this necessary?  Was the family split apart over their well-known brother or was Joseph actually much older and a widower with children from an earlier marriage who were grown and really had no connection to Mary?

What we do see in the Christmas story is that Joseph and Mary are two great examples of real
discipleship that deserve more of our attention. Though little is known about the details of their lives, the Scriptures describe their great character. Both, above all, wanted to be obedient to God and faithful to His will even if it would be misunderstood by family or contrary to the expectations of their culture.  Though they were given a great responsibility by God, in being faithful, God gave them the grace to do all they were called to do.  A great example for all disciples who would follow after their son Jesus.


Have a very blessed New Year,

Pastor Chris

 

The Pregnancy Center is offering the Forgiven and Set Free, post-abortive 11-week Bible study beginning on Thursday, January 8, 2015 from 6 to 8 p.m.  Many women who have experienced abortion struggle with regret, depression, guilt and painful memories This class immerses the participant in Scripture and promotes healing, forgiveness, and hope in a confidential and non-judgmental setting. Please contact The Pregnancy Center BEFORE the first class for registration, 541-772-1921.

Pacific Bible College Spring Classes begin the week of January 5. For a schedule of classes check out pacificbible.com. PBC offers classes grounded in the Word of God that teach students the foundation needed to Kingdom Think. The end result is to be prepared for life's challenges as well as to be a loving influence in the world. Questions? Call Mary at PBC: 541.776.9942
 

 

  

 

 

Every Sunday: Praying the Psalms   

Join us from 8:30-9:30 a.m. in the Adult Classroom as we read a Psalm then discuss where we see Jesus in that passage. Afterward we spend time in worship-based prayer. Questions? Contact  Darrel Wiltrout: 541.865.7716 or darrel@trail.org