Why Didn't Jesus Save Joseph From Death? (Matthew 12:48-50)

The Gospels do not give us insight as to whether Joseph, the earthly father of Jesus Christ, died. Most scholars conclude that Joseph died before Jesus started His ministry. At the Cross, we are left with the sad sight of Mary watching her son die. But there is no mention of Joseph.

If Joseph died, couldn’t Jesus have raised Joseph from the dead? The obvious answer is, yes. But He did not. The Gospels records only three instances of Jesus raising someone from the dead: the Jewish ruler’s daughter, the widow’s son, and Lazarus.

Jesus loved his parents and His family. He was a dutiful and caring Son as evidenced by the last moments of His life when He asked His beloved disciple, John, to take His mother, Mary, to live and care for her in his own home. But Jesus wanted us to go beyond our understanding of earthly relationships and see that life in God’s Kingdom is based upon on new relationship, as adopted sons and daughters of God, the Father.

But He answered and said to the one who told Him, “Who is My mother and who are My brothers?” And He stretched out His hand toward His disciples and said, “Here are My mother and My brothers! For whoever does the will of My Father in heaven is My brother and sister and mother.”
Matthew 12:48-50

Joseph is now glorified in Heaven, forever in fellowship with Jesus, his earthly son by adoption, and now His Lord and Savior. Jesus did not save Joseph from death nor did he raise him from the dead during his earthly lifetime.  But He saved his soul for eternity. Our familial relationships in this lifetime point to the deeper and more intimate eternal relationship with God.

Love and respect the Lord; seek His will in your life.