Death of Joseph 

Joseph, Jesus' earthly father, was severely injured in a crane accident on a job site in Sepphoris. Jesus and a messenger broke the shocking news to Mary, who rushed to Joseph's side but arrived too late; he had passed away. This unexpected tragedy disrupted Jesus' plans for his education, as he was now responsible for his widowed, pregnant mother and his siblings. At just fourteen, Jesus became the head of his family, shouldering this responsibility while also becoming the father figure for his brothers and sisters. Despite this, Jesus maintained the family's financial stability, demonstrated keen business acumen, and managed his father's estate wisely. The family, however, struggled emotionally with Joseph's loss, missing his unique presence and blessings.

On Tuesday, September 25, 8 CE, while on the job site, an accident involving a crane severely injured Joseph. A runner was sent to inform the family. The messenger stopped at the family shop on the way to Joseph’s home, and Jesus and the messenger went together to break the shocking news to Mary. Jesus wanted to go immediately to be with his father, but Mary was insistent that she be the one to rush to Joseph’s side. Mary made the decision that James, then ten years old, would travel with her to Sepphoris while Jesus, who was fourteen, would remain at home with the younger children until she returned. She did not know the extent of Joseph’s injuries. Unfortunately, Joseph died before Mary and James were able to reach his side. Mary and James brought him back to Nazareth, and on the following day, he was laid to rest with his fathers.

Joseph’s death disrupted everything – all the plans for Jesus and his future education were wiped out in one fateful day. This young man at fourteen years old realized that he now had to not only fulfill the commission of his heavenly Father, to reveal the divine nature on earth in human form, but that he also must now shoulder the responsibility of caring for his newly widowed and pregnant mother and his seven brothers and sisters.

At the age of fourteen, Jesus of Nazareth now became the sole support and comfort of this suddenly grieving family. These events unfolded naturally, compelling this destined young man to assume the weighty yet profoundly educational responsibilities of leading his human family. He became a father to his own brothers and sisters, he supported and protected his mother, and he was the guardian of his father’s home, the only home he was to know while on this world.

Jesus cheerfully accepted the responsibilities so jarringly thrust upon him, and he faithfully fulfilled them to the end. However, he had been anticipating a great problem on his horizon: he did not want to go to Jerusalem to study under the rabbis. Now, through this tragedy, he would no longer be expected to go.

It remained true throughout his life that Jesus “sat at no man’s feet.” He was always willing to learn from even the humblest of little children, but he never received the authority to teach others from human sources.

The family’s finances continued to run fairly smoothly as there was enough money on hand at the time of Joseph’s death to provide for their current lifestyle and needs. Jesus demonstrated early on that he had sharp business judgment and discernment. He was liberal but frugal; he saved money but was also generous. He proved himself to be a wise and efficient administrator of his father’s estate.

On an emotional front, the situation was much more challenging. In spite of Jesus' efforts and the support of Nazareth neighbors and friends to bring cheer into the home of his family, Mary and Jesus’ siblings were under a cloud of sadness. Joseph was gone and they all missed him as he was an exceptional husband and father. And it seemed even more tragic to think that he died before they could speak to him one last time or to hear his farewell blessing.