Jesus is a Foster Father
“YOU are his father Jesus, do something!” Hazorus said sternly.
Hazorus’ concern was directed at Zerah, foster son of Jesus. Zerah’s mother Abigail died in childbirth, and Zerah’s father followed his wife two years after that. Abigail was cousin to Jesus’ aunt Elizabeth; she had lived in Nazareth and grew up as a sister to Mary.
“There he is!” shouted Jesus as he ran to Zerah, who had become lost in the Passover crowd just outside the Beautiful gate of the temple.
Jesus was in a better position than most to take on a child. Two years ago, he entered into a partnership with his cousin Hazorus, and his return had been enough to pay off his two room house that he shared with Mary and Zerah. Hazorus made the thrice yearly pilgrimages to the temple to make thanks and sacrifice to the God of Israel, and now to give Jesus another note of credit and to update him on further business expansion.
Zerah was quickly recovered, even before the ten year old boy had considered himself lost. He suffered through a mild rebuke, and the family was little delayed in entering the temple. Zerah’s grandmother Mary took charge of him while Jesus and Hazorus wandered about, and then entered the court of the Israelites.
It was a custom in Jerusalem that no person be without lodging on Passover eve. Every son and daughter of Israel was to be protected behind door posts painted with lamb’s blood. Jesus and family, and Hazorus provided a lamb in exchange for shared lodging with acquaintances in Jerusalem.
The evening of their return to Nazareth found Jesus and Mary reclining on the roof of their home, the topic of conversation was the memory of Joseph. It was a frequent topic, and all their memories were good ones. Joseph was a rare man, his life being the care of his family, cultivation of virtue, and piety toward God. He had often spoken of the brevity of life and of its real end — attainment to God.
The memories were like wine, and the conversation slowed as recollections were savored; silence fell and at an appropriate moment Jesus said, “Mother, was there ever the possibility of other children between you and Joseph?”
Mary replied, “No there was not. Joseph would not violate my marriage to the Holy Spirit, I remain a virgin…I think you know that.{1} I also think that you just like hearing of the courage and nobility of Joseph and that is why you ask these questions. I enjoy recalling his goodness also.”
A minute of comfortable silence followed before Mary announced, “I am going inside to check on Zerah.” This was Mary’s favorite part of the day. Zerah would be asleep, Mary would wrap her arms around him and stroke his hair, just enough to half awaken him so that she could coax him to sleep again with a song.
Jesus had been the recipient of such affection until he was declared a man at his ritual mitzvah, at age thirteen. After that time, the status of authority was supposed to reverse between Jesus and Mary, but it was never a matter of conflicting ideas or plans, so there was little transition. Sometimes his mother still stroked his hair while he sat, using a comb as an excuse.
Jesus would remain on the roof, he slept on the roof most of the year, he had even constructed a vent along the edge of the roof that allowed the rising heat from the cooling interior bricks to enter his blanket. After sunset he would pray, then sleep on the roof. He was up well before dawn for more prayer. His prayer was a combination of his favorite psalms and scripture verses, meditation on life, God, and his own particular calling.
He used the remaining time before sunrise for centering prayer in which he cut off all distractions, thoughts and words other than God. The clutter of the day past, or the day approaching was disregarded simply by directing each faculty to the Father. His inner voice spoke, “God almighty…God, my God…God of hope…”, in an effortless rhythm with some simple variations. His inner voice preoccupied his hearing, allowing little notice of the few sounds of the night. His posture was one that likewise did not require effort of maintenance, he knelt sitting on his lower legs, his head tilted back, so as not to fall forward if a bit of sleep attempted to disturb his peace. Even his hands were directed to God in a gently raised position. The particular form these things took was secondary to their intention, union with the God of Israel.
Every fever was a death watch. Some fevers came on fast, others occurred at the end of life in those suffering ongoing illness or weakness. Joseph had died with a fever after a year of increasing weakness. Now Zerah was suddenly stricken. Jesus and Mary agreed to take night shifts in caring for Zerah, but neither could sleep. They had discussed calling for a physician, but they as often harmed as healed. Jesus preferred to trust in God.
Jesus’ son Zerah died in his sleep. Mary was collected, but Jesus buried his grief in burial activity. Jesus had constructed many coffins, but had none now. The coffin was used only to carry the body, and was not usually buried with the deceased, and Jesus would just have to do without.
Jesus went to the cemetery at dawn, just two hours after the death of Zerah. He searched for a burial location and brought along a spade. The cemetery was a public field and it was proper form to check in with the civil council first, but he did not want to wake anyone. Graves were marked with stones, by any one of several methods. The flat stones used as markers were occasionally taken, so it was best to sink a marker deep, and with the wider portion below ground making it more difficult to pull up.
Jesus knew the grave yard and what areas were reserved, and dug an interment hole for Zerah. He lined the hole with wildflowers and wild straw. A blanket served as a shroud for the boy. Sometimes a shroud could cover only the upper body, such were the circumstances of the villagers in Galilee. Jesus stepped into the hole, and gently laid Zerah to rest. He filled in the grave, and stretched himself across the mound. Jesus prayed and cried tears of hope.
Later in the day, the thought occurred to Jesus — it seemed he was to be Messiah in Israel with no son as heir to the office. {2}
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