John 6:41-42 ~ "Isn't this the son of Joseph? Don't we know his father? Don't we know his mother? "

John 6:41-42

41-42 At this, because he said, "I am the Bread that came down from heaven," the Jews started arguing over him: "Isn't this the son of Joseph? Don't we know his father? Don't we know his mother? How can he now say, 'I came down out of heaven' and expect anyone to believe him?"

This is the True Story of my neighbor's Hindu Arranged Marriage:

They met at age 25 at the arranged wedding alter. Neither looked pleased. After the festivities were over the groom asked the bride if she loved another. She said she did. He said I did as well. The groom said I have an idea that will either fix this or fix us. He said taking of virginity is unpleasant. And he had no desire to take something like that unless willingly given. He said I will be your brother and your best, best friend for the next two years. I will listen and fix what ever problem life brings you with complete loyalty and care for two years.

By then I will be 27 years old. At that time I will be educated very well and can earn enough money to divorce you and you can tell your parents later I beat you. She agreed.

And for two months the groom had to remind his bride not to tell her troubles to her mother-in-law, but her groom. Eventually she told him and she said she was so surprised - he cared. And fixed. And helped. He had to remind his bride a few times that she was not so caring of his troubles.

Eventually they worked out how to help her support him correctly. And they had a second anniversary. The bride was taken to dinner and the groom was nervous. She asked him why. He said today we agree what will happen to us. She said she had forgotten. He wasn't especially pleased to hear that. And he said are we divorcing or we going to be married? And SHE SAID ARE YOU NUTS, WE ARE MARRIED. And he said - we are not really. And she said, well I wondered when you'd get around to that.

And on their 50th Anniversary, where a very large party gathered - the participants agreed - this was one of the Happiest Marriages they had ever seen. And the Groom spoke and he said, "This has been the happiest 48 years of my life!" And the wife said, "I've been happy for 50 Years!" The groom glared. The wife laughed. And their son said if only the world could experience that kind of marriage!

After further thought I realized - this is not just a Hindu Marriage Story - this is the Blessing of the Marriage of Mary and Joseph. Joseph was building the betrothal house - when news came of Jesus. Joseph had to give up on his ideas of a normal, calm life. And Joseph's life began to change. And change and change. And a move to Egypt. All of this marriage became the teamwork of people who take care of each other after their Love for Father God.

Luke 4:22
All spoke well of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his lips. "Isn't this Joseph's son?" they asked.

The culmination of this friendship, marriage, God honoring first and loving each to has two similar passages in the Gospels.

Matthew 22
37 And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. 38 This is the great and first commandment. 39 And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.


 Father God,
You are telling us as a Living God with Living Word that Your God Nature is a God of Peace.

Father of All Things in People, Circumstance, Creation - You brought Your Son, Lord Jesus, our Savior to have Victory and to conquer death. 

Living Father God You are the Great Shepherd of the sheep. Giving Your own blood shed in terrible, terrible anxiety and sacrifice to the eternal covenant of faith and of Life. 

Please equip us and the ones we love with every good You would do to accomplish Your Will! Please dwell within us, our family, friends, loved ones, co-workers, Church, leading to our State, Nation and the Nations of God to work in ways in the Path pleasing in Your Sight. We ask to accomplish Your Will in Gentle Love.

Though the Highest Name of Jesus Christ. To You Father God and not to us be the Glory forever in the fulfilling of Your Word and Will. In Jesus, Amen!

 ♔ Lord Jesus Saves †