Jesus: The Son of Joseph or The Son of David?

With my book, The Dawn of Devotion, hitting shelves this week, I am still wanting to touch on certain subjects that it brings out. The Bible is full of wisdom, where every verse holds layers of meaning waiting to be uncovered. One such puzzle lies in the relationship between Jesus and Joseph, as highlighted in the book of Luke. It is here that we will look into this intriguing narrative, shedding light on how the Bible, above mere biological ties, emphasizes deeper philosophical and spiritual bonds between individuals.

Deciphering “Son” and “Father” in Biblical Context

The Bible often employs symbolic language, inviting readers to look beyond surface meanings to find the reality. In Luke, Jesus is described as being the “supposed” son of Joseph, and yet David is later referred to as his “father.” This weird situation sparks a journey of understanding, where “son” and “father” transcend their literal definitions.

Philosophical Bonds Over Biological Ties

Within the Bible, “son” and “father” often symbolize spiritual relationships rather than biological ones. The scriptures speak of individuals as a "son in the faith" (1 Tim. 1:2), emphasizing a mentorship or stewardship dynamic rather than a blood connection. Again, the wife of Isaac, Rebekah, was also told that the two sons within her shouldn’t honestly be thought of as literal boys, but as denominations. This sheds light on the nuanced nature of familial terminology within the Bible .

Adam as a Precedent

The genealogy presented in Luke traces Jesus' lineage back to Adam, the first man. Adam, created from the dust of the earth and infused with a certain breath, serves as a precedent for biblical “sons” who represent spiritual successors rather than direct descendants. This spiritual lineage underscores the profound connection between what is human and what is devotional.

The Breath of God and Spiritual Activation

Adam, as the first son of God, received a certain breath that animated his being. However, his failure highlighted the need for a deeper spiritual connection beyond mere existence. The Bible teaches that true strength comes from being strengthened within the inner man, emphasizing the importance of spiritual enlightenment for true vitality. It is in Ephesians where the counsel to be strengthened with Spirit, with even the same Spirit that animated that Adam, within the inner man is given. If it is the inner man that is to awaken, this again allows us to know that Adam’s sonship wasn’t literal, but philosophical, making him not the first “man,” but rather the first “mind.”

Jesus, the Chief Apostle

In contrast to Adam, Jesus is heralded as the living God's chief apostle, imbued with that same transcendent and omnipotent breath. His words emphasize the transformative power of spiritual enlightenment, offering a path to wellbeing beyond natural or routine religious confines. Jesus' designation as the Holy Ghost’s “child” does not highlight his origin as being otherworldly, but highlights his mind as being aligned with what is inwardly well.

Creation of a Clean Heart

The cleansing and renewal of the devotional conversation’s heart is the Bible’s central theme. The psalm, "Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me” (Psalm 51:10), underscores the transformative power of the Bible’s words, leading to spiritual renewal and enlightenment.

David's Lineage and Spiritual Legacy

Jesus' connection to David extends beyond biological lineage to embody a spiritual inheritance of understanding. The saying, that Jesus should be of the "house of David," symbolizes a philosophical lineage passed down through generations, ultimately culminating in continual spiritual culture.

A Wise Continuation

From Adam to the prophets, the blessing and commandment of the scriptures have been passed down through faithful individuals, culminating in Jesus as the highlighted messenger of what has been passed down. His ministry embodied the wisdom and teachings of his spiritual predecessors.

Building the Inner Temple

The wisdom that was passed down to the real Jesus focused on building the inner devotional temple, where the Bible’s wisdom should reside. Hearers are advised to honor the Creator from out of the spirit of their mind, undergoing spiritual renewal and transformation through diligently studying and applying what is retained.

Conclusion: Embracing the Divine Name

The topic of the meaning of the terms “son” and “father,” in relation to the nature of Jesus, is a complex and intricate subject that Dawn of Devotion covers. Sonship and lineage ultimately transcend biological ties to refer to a relationship similar to one mentally or spiritually being the product of another. Joseph wasn’t the literal father of Jesus, but was his religious father. David wasn’t the literal father of Jesus, but because Jesus adopted the philosophical mindset of David, David became his father in thought, in act, and in feeling. By understanding how the Bible speaks, we can easily follow the Bible’s narrative, being able to better align our learning experience with its intention.

I have a powerpoint presentation on understanding the nature of Jesus’ life and birth.

The Dawn of Devotion: The Philosophy Behind Jesus' Crucifixion and Resurrection

My new book, The Dawn of Devotion: A Sacrifice for Devotional Evolution, is arriving soon. This work touches on the sensitive issue surrounding the context and the reality of Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection. The debate of if the resurrection actually took place, or if an actual “Jesus” existed, is one that is fixed to theological frameworks and never intelligently enters into the realm of philosophy. The philosophical and intellectual inquiry over the existence, death, and resurrection of Jesus is important to our present spiritual wellbeing, especially when learning that the fuss is all about a minister willingly sacrificing himself to make a statement about the correct devotional experience.

It is true that, in the multitude of theological narratives, few events hold as much significance as Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection. This pivotal scene in Christian theology has sparked centuries of debate and interpretation, albeit without sincere contextual reflection. However, beyond the surface-level understanding often presented in mainstream or popular theology, lies a deeper philosophical exploration that challenges traditional views on salvation and redemption.

The portrayal of Jesus Christ as a divine figure sacrificing himself for the sins of humanity is a cornerstone of Christian theory. Yet, upon closer examination, particularly the divergent narratives presented in the four canonical gospels, a more meaningful interpretation emerges. Are we actually reading about the life of a demigod? Is this sacrifice and resurrection actually for natural human fault? We know that, for every religious cult that has existed, the theme of dying and rising deities is central to their core belief. Despite having a familiar pagan theme within the gospel narrative, could there be more to the story connected to Jesus?

Each gospel, despite their reader noticing, offers a unique perspective on their main character, reflecting the diverse theological viewpoints of their authors and their communities. While some emphasize Jesus' role as a savior sent to redeem mankind through his sacrificial death, others focus on his teachings and philosophical insights, completely ignoring the narrative of him as the world’s gift.

The original Jesus community, if we should purge reality from the fictional narrative within the book of Acts, taught what was called, “The Way.” They had taken their leader to have been crucified to death and then resurrected. This idea was not Greek or Roman, but strictly Jewish. They did not see his death as the world’s redemption from sin. They did not see his blood as being something to call upon for pardon of sins. They did not envision their hero next to God in heaven as high priest. They saw him like as they saw Elijah, Elisha, or Moses, as a man, whose death shed light on “the way” to honor that Deity for eventual resurrection at the world’s last day, that was deeply touched and inspired by their Deity.

The Gospel of Luke, for example, deviates from the traditional narrative by emphasizing the importance of adherence to the law of Moses as a path to salvation. In this gospel, Jesus is portrayed as a wise teacher, sharing the wisdom of the inward kingdom of heaven. He is not ultimately the gift to the world, but the kingdom of heaven is. He is bringing that gift to the world, setting the example of how one’s heart and mind, in order to be nearer to the Father, may enter into the intended experience.

Central to understanding the deeper meaning of Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection is the concept of Immanuel, which means, "God is with us." Dawn of Devotion investigates how this interpretation suggests that Jesus was not a God with mankind, but that he taught “God,” or that he taught a wisdom inviting hearers to embrace an experience of inner transformation, rather than an external experience of salvation by religious deeds and acts. 

The illustration of the crucifixion sheds light on the potential wisdom that the man taught. This wisdom is understood through the allegory of his suspended body. The scriptures inform us to view his body as representing a devotional experience by religious laws, deeds, rites, theories, and rituals. To observe this crucified body is to actually observe not the crucifixion of a man, but rather the crucifixion of a devotional experience held together by religious laws and oppressive theological frameworks.

The crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus are profound symbols of devotional liberation and enlightenment. Dawn of Devotion looks deeper into the philosophical underpinnings of the gospel’s main character, because if we can transcend traditional interpretations to embark on a journey toward greater inward understanding, our living experience will sincerely match the devotional.