Monday’s thoughts
The sermon for Sunday, February 17th will follow in the series of sermons we have planned for Lent. I will explore what it meant for Jesus to have been the son of Joseph.
Around the church there is a debate about Joseph’s occupation. Was he a carpenter or was he a stone mason? Did he work with wood or with stone? Scholars struggle with the fact that there wasn’t much wood in the area and that most builders worked with stone. Most of us have been under the impression that Joseph was a carpenter and that Jesus, who followed in his father’s career, would have been a carpenter as well. What are the implications for the life and teaching of Jesus if we were to discover that Jesus was a stone mason?
Biblical scholar E.F. Blair writes, “The second century Book of James (Protevangelium), and the fourth-century History of Joseph the Carpenter (Death of Joseph) present Joseph as a widower with children at the time he espoused Mary, a girl of 12 years. The latter book describes in great detail the death at age 111. The Gospel of thomas (second century) also presents fanciful incidents concerning Jesus and Joseph. In the Middle Ages a cult of Saint Joseph grew up.”
This is what I think about Joseph:
1. He was Jesus’ father.
2. He was a spiritual man who listened to the voice of God and paid attention to his dreams.
3. He was a role model for Jesus and a more important figure in his life than we will ever know.
4. He died when Jesus was a young man and that had a more profound influence on Jesus’ life than any Gospel has reported to us.
5. Jesus would have been very quick to tell you that he was the “son of Joseph” and Jesus would have said, “My father died when I was young.”
What I will explore in the sermon Sunday, February 17th is the influence Joseph had on Jesus with regard to Jesus’ understanding of death.
How do you think he felt about dying?
How do you approach death?
What does the fact of death do with the way you live?
I’d love to hear from you.
Write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net click on the space to the left and the address will appear.
Jesus’ Last Name
March 10 “Jesus Abrahamson” Son of Abraham Pam Everhart
March 17 ”Jesus Josephson” Son of Joseph Charles Schuster
March 24 “Jesus Manson” Son of Man Joel Kershaw
April 2 ”Jesus Godson” Son of God Charles Schuster
April 9 “Jesus Marison” Son of Mary Charles Schuster
April 16 “Jesus Davidson” Son of David Charles Schuster
Maundy Thursday (Passover Meal)
April 20th “Jesus Lambson” The Lamb of God Joel Kershaw
Good Friday (Requiem by Mozart)
April 21st “Jesus Crux” The Crucified One Charles Schuster
Easter Sunday
April 23
6:00 am “Christ Jesus” Christian Jesus Charles Schuster
8 & 9:30 & 11 “Jesus Christ” Human Christ Charles Schuster
What do you think about the names of Jesus. Write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. click on the blank space to the left and the address will pop up.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles
