Chapter 7-The funeral of Joseph of Nazareth

 

 

It was in Jesus’ sixteenth year that his aged father Joseph of Nazareth became ill and after several months of fever and sickness – passed away in his sleep.

As was the Jewish custom he was buried quickly before sunset the day he died. Mary, Jesus, and his brothers James, Joses, Judah and his sisters all grieved greatly for their loss. James being the oldest would have to bear the burden of taking over his father’s building business. Jesus agreed to help his brother with the business in order to support his mother and sisters. He knew that this would postpone his chances of one day becoming a prophet like his cousin John, seemingly was destined to become.

 

“Mother James and I have talked and we will both equally share the burden of maintaining father’s business to support you– and the others in our family,” Jesus told his mother. “I grieve for my father but I know from his hard labors he is at peace now in death,” Jesus sadly stated. “I will be strong for you mother, for my heart is with you and you have always seen to my health and education, for which I am indebted greatly,” Jesus said. “You are my beloved and my favorite son,” Mary said. “From the day you were born I knew that you were destined for greater things and – you would become a leader of men like your cousin John. “Send your brothers James and Joses to my cousin Elizabeth in Hebron and tell them that Joseph has died. We will sit shiva for a week to grieve his passing and?? tell them to come and share with us,” Mary told Jesus. “James you heard what Mother has said, take Joses and travel to Hebron to tell Elizabeth, John and Zechariah.

 

So according to Jewish tradition Joseph was put into the ground and his family prepared some food for visiting guests and extended family members and townsfolk when they came to sit shiva in grieving for the loss of Joseph to his family.

 

This was a major turning point for Jesus for he had always looked up to his father who worked hard and sacrificed so much for his family. From the death of Joseph’s first wife of many years to the second marriage to Mary when she was a teenager, Joseph prevailed and remained strong. Through all the years in exile in Egypt he protected Jesus and Mary from harm and kept them together for four years until he could return to Nazareth in Galilee. Joseph showed Jesus everything about building, carpentry and how to work with his hands. Over the years Joseph’s family prospered and followed in the Orthodox Jewish customs. Jesus was well versed in the bible thanks to Joseph and Rabbi Ben Juda under whom Jesus studied for many years until it was time for his coming of age ceremony at age 12.

 

“Lord I pray gives me strength without my father Joseph to lead me. Guide me Lord and show me the way. Help me to be like Elijah of old and let me be a light to mankind. Show me the way lord and reveal unto me thy blessing,” Jesus prayed softly. “Salome can you help me prepare some dried fruits and goat meat for our guests at shiva,” Jesus asked? “My little brother Jesus, I always love to do as you wish. Let us set up the foods together in memory of our beloved father,” Salome responded. Mary returned to her bed to rest and cry softly for the rest of the day. Her one and only husband were gone and so many memories of the days in Bethlehem, Egypt, and their return to Nazareth were on her mind. Their life had been peaceful and without remorse as Jesus grew to become a strong and bright young man, dark of complexion and long hair with deep dark brown eyes. He was a delight to discuss the bible with because he was so knowledgeable and passionate in his learning. Through her efforts he had become a model Jew who attended temple every Sabbath and studied his bible that was presented to him by Rabbi Ben Juda from their local synagogue. “No mother could ask for a more obedient child than Jesus,” Mary thought to herself. What know would become of Jesus and what of the destiny the Angel of God foretold,” Mary asked herself?

 

Night descended quickly and the cool desert air moved throughout the house as Jesus and his family slept. When Joseph first became ill, Jesus had a premonition that this illness might not be curable, and so it was. The next day the family prepared for guests, family, and visitors as they began to sit a week of shiva in grieving for their father Joseph. This was a time to meet long missed cousins and have townspeople come to give their best wishes. In two or three days Zachariah, Elizabeth and John would be arriving from Hebron to give their condolences. Jesus had not seen his second cousin John since last year at the Passover Festival in Jerusalem. Jesus was looking forward to John’s visit since they had known one another all their lives.

 

Two days later there was a knock at the door and standing there tall, at six foot four inches was cousin John and his mother Elizabeth. Their father Zachariah was unloading the donkeys and brings in presents and food. “Hail John, son of Zachariah,” Jesus proclaimed in jest. “Welcome to our home,” Mary responded. “Mary, Jesus, Salome, it is so good to see you all,” Elizabeth replied. It was a time for family and they all sat down and had some wine and water and honey-dates. “We are saddened at the passing of our kinsman Joseph,” Zachariah stated for all to hear.

 

Jesus and John went off to a quiet corner to talk. “So how are your studies in the bible coming along cousin, “ Jesus asked. “My parents are letting me spend some time with friends of ours whom are Essenes and live in a community near the death sea,” John replied. “That sounds interesting, John. I wish I could join you but now I am to share with James the burden of father’s business to support my family,” Jesus replied. “Well little Jehusha someday you will be free to follow your destiny,” John commented. “Wine, cousin, you must be thirsty,” Jesus offered. “Yes some wine will help to wash down the dust of the hot roads over which we traveled these past two days,” John said. Jesus was glad to see his cousin for they had much in common. The week of sitting shiva went by quickly and Zacharia, Elizabeth and John had returned to Hebron and everything return to normal day to day labor of building as it was before.