THE EARTHLY FAMILY OF JESUS

"In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe” (1.1.2). It is in these terms that the author of Hebrews shows that there has been a process of divine revelation to man throughout history. This process culminated in the entrance of God Himself into humanity through the birth of the child Jesus, who was conceived in the womb of a virgin without male participation by the Holy Spirit (Luke 1: 26-35). This text deals with the earthly family of Jesus according to the Gospels.

Joseph, judging by his character as a righteous and holy man, who did not hesitate to receive Mary as his wife after the experience of a dream in which an angel warned him that she was pregnant by the action of the Spirit of God (Matthew 1: 19-21), had a good relationship with Jesus. According to Luke, he educated him in the love of the Lord. Circumcised Jesus according to the Jewish law, and every year brought him to Jerusalem for the feast of the Passover (2: 21,41). He also taught Jesus the office of a carpenter (Matthew 13:55), but he probably died early, since the Gospels make little reference to him and was not present at the crucifixion. 

As for Mary, the little that the gospels show, she loved and cared him as a dedicated mother. Though she could not imagine the outcome of his life, that is, his death and resurrection, she was aware of his spiritual nature because of the vision with the angel Gabriel and the miracle of his conception by the Spirit. But Jesus always had an independent attitude toward her when the subject was his mission. This can be seen in the words addressed to her, on two occasions: "didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?" (Luke 2:49); "What do we have in common, woman?" (John 2: 4). On the cross, before dying, knowing of the fragility of the woman in the Jewish society of his time, asked John to take care of her. This is shown on the text of the Apostle: “from that time on, this disciple took her into his home.” (John 19:26, 27).

According to Matthew, after his marriage with Mary, Joseph "did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth" to Jesus (1:25). Then Joseph and Mary had daughters and sons. Matthew and Mark cite the names of the children: James, Joseph, Simon and Judas (Matthew 13:55; Mark 6: 3). These, according to the Gospels, did not understand or believe in him (John 7: 1-9). His acting as a preacher, in the midst of the crowds, saying that God was his Father and teaching about a Kingdom of another world, caused some discomfort and embarrassment. Once they traveled to Capernaum to take “charge of him, for they said, He is out of his mind” (Mark 3:21).

However, this situation changed radically after the resurrection, for Jesus, resurrected, appeared to his brother James (1 Corinthians 15.7). James became "column" in the Church of Jerusalem (Galatians 1:19; 2: 9) and author of a New Testament book that has his name. Judas, another brother of Jesus, according to scholars is the author of another New Testament letter. According to Evangelist Luke, the whole family understood and converted to Christ after their resurrection (Acts 1:14) and Paul, writing to the Corinthians, hints the "brothers of the Lord" in missionary activity (1 Corinthians 9: 5).

The information above speaks of the humanity of Jesus Christ, however, before his incarnation, "being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness"(Philippians 2: 6-7). Jesus did this because it was necessary for him to become “fully human in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people. Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to succor those who are being tempted "(Hebrews 2:17, 18).

Antônio Maia – M.Div.

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