If we focus on Joseph, as Matthew does, and make this a legend of salvation, then Joseph becomes the second Adam. He is given a second chance, as we all are, constantly, a chance to reenact a life drama that we have wretchedly botched at least once before, and to do it right this time.
—Stephen Mitchell
Happy Christmas to everyone: here’s Stephen Mitchell from his book, The Gospel According to Jesus, on the Christmas Legend, Joseph, and the true meaning of Christmas: forgiveness.
Today I hope you’ll forgive yourself, and then forgive those who have wronged you.
Peace on earth!
I’m going to sound like a one note song here. . .
Peter, who was a close friend and follower of Jesus, wrote this shortly after his resurrection:
“For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty.”
If, as Mitchell says, the early church turned the life of Jesus into fairytale, then why does one of closest friends write this forty years after Jesus and before the church had even become institutionalized? Why would he talk throughout most of the text about being an eyewitness to miraculous events if he knew he it was all a myth?
Maybe he was trying to trick people or he’s a liar, but if that is so, why didn’t he recant of his lies before being killed for his beliefs? Who wants to die for a lie?