The Childhood of Jesus
The Gospel of James

Biographical Gospel of the Lord

⮜ Back | Contents | Next ⮞

- Chapter 278 -

Joseph Confounds The Beadles Of Archelaus

WHEN JOSEPH was some distance away from Dumas, he said to his family,

'It seems to me that we can probably expect to find a similar reception everywhere -

so let us not spend much more time visiting our former friends, acquaintances and relatives;

for I have just seen with Dumas how people act if one crosses them even just a little.

It therefore seems to me that we should go home again. - What do you, my faithful wife, say to that?'

And Mary answered, 'Joseph, my beloved husband, you well know that I have no will before you, since your will is also mine at all times and also must be according to the divine order of the Lord;

but I would surely say that since the Lord Himself walks bodily in our midst, we should ask His advice in this matter also.'

Here Joseph agreed, 'Mary, my faithful wife, therein you are altogether right;

that I will do at once, and then we will find out for certain just what we should do!'

And the little Child said without being asked, 'Even though everything were in order wherever we went, it still would be better to be at home.

You see, My time is still a long way off, and if I now go with you wherever it may be, I still cannot cover up the fullness of My Deity to the extent that such may not be felt by those nearby.

Therefore it is best for Me to stay at home now, for there What dwells in Me is least noticed.

When you, Joseph, have to go anywhere in the near future in matters of your trade, then just go out with your other children,

but leave Me nicely at home, and you will have the least trouble.'

Joseph thereupon returned to his home. And when he arrived there, he found to his not little surprise that his four sons, who had remained at home, were in a mighty argument with a few overseers of Archelaus.

These vultures were quick to notice that someone had moved in here;

for which reason they also were promptly at hand to extort the tribute.

But when the sons of Joseph showed them the charter on the door, they became angered thereat and wanted to tear it off.

And just at this moment Joseph arrived and at once confronted the thieves with the question by what authority they did this.

These asserted, 'We are servants of the king and do this according to the authority of the king!'

Here Joseph declared, 'And I am a servant of God the Almighty and am sending you on your way according to His authority!' - At this the marauders were seized with a mighty fear, and they ran away in great haste. And thereafter Joseph's house was left in peace from similar marauders.

Footnotes