Episode:Jesus—Child of Divine Destiny (Part 1)
Michael of Nebadon chose Urantia, a world segregated by rebellion, as the planet whereon to enact his final bestowal. Gabriel, the Bright and Morning Star, made the personal choice of Joseph and Mary to become the earth parents of the child of divine destiny. One evening Gabriel appeared to Mary, announcing that she would bear a son and call him Joshua, declaring that her child would inaugurate the kingdom of heaven on earth and among men—a message of deliverance, to be proclaimed with great power and deep conviction.
Keywords: Urantia, Jesus, Gabriel, John the Baptist, Joseph and Mary
Summary by Kermit
Paper 122. Birth and Infancy of Jesus
The authors provide an intriguing brief account of the happenings that led to the choice of Palestine as the land for Michael’s bestowal, and specifically, the choice of Joseph and Mary as the human father and earth mother of Jesus. Of particular interest was the mention of the Family Commission of Twelve—chosen from higher orders of universe personalities. It was their job to investigate Jewish family life and bring recommendations of suitable unions favorable as bestowal families. Three couples were nominated, from whom Gabriel personally chose Joseph and Mary for the task.
Discussion: As previously mentioned, Michael’s bestowal experiences represent a Creator Son’s act of cooperative subordination to the Paradise Trinity, not obedience to the direct command of the Universal Father. The incarnation comes down to earth through the whole, via the Paradise Trinity, source of Mother Deity, rather than being directly traceable from the Father, through the Son Thus, did Gabriel appear directly to both Mary and Elizabeth, to inform them of their respective roles in the divine bestowal mission. Whereas, it was in the dream state that Joseph and Zacharias were made aware of the truth and significance of the visitations experienced by their wives.
1. Joseph and Mary
The authors provide clarifying family histories of Joseph’s and Mary’s lineage, which can be used to shed light on the biblical accounts of Jesus’ genealogy in the New Testament books of Luke and Matthew. Commentary: The authors pointed out that Michael was to appear as an average man, that he would be accessible to common people. Such average characteristics may well have been the criteria for which Joseph and Mary were chosen from among the three nominees.
2. Gabriel Appears to Elizabeth
Gabriel announced to Elizabeth that while her husband Zacharias was standing before the alter in Jerusalem, and as the assembly prayed for the coming of a deliverer, that she would bear a son who was to be the forerunner of this divine teacher (further that he was to be called John, meaning Yahweh is gracious). We conjectured whether Zacharias and Elizabeth were among the nominees for hosting the bestowal Son. John’s birth is given as March 25, 7, B.C. I was further pointed out that in the Julian calendar in use at the time, this is New Year’s Day—a truly fitting way to begin the year of the coming of the deliverer.
John’s parents early began to prepare him for his role as spiritual leader and religious teacher, and his heart was ever responsive to the sowing of these suggestive seeds.
3. Gabriel’s Announcement to Mary
After pondering Gabriel’s visit informing her of the destiny of her newly conceived son, Mary and Joseph concluded that they had been chosen to become the parents of the Messiah.
4. Joseph’s Dream
Joseph only became reconciled to Mary’s becoming mother of an extraordinary child until he experienced a very impressive dream. A brilliant celestial messenger appeared to him and proceeded to characterize Jesus as a light to the world and a bearer of light to mankind. While his people would hardly receive him, individuals who did receive him would discover their divine sonship. Nothing was said about Jesus becoming the deliverer of the Jews, or even the Messiah.
Following this dream, Joseph never wholly doubted Mary’s story of Gabriel’s visitation. We discussed about this dream of Joseph’s and whether it might be referred to as a revelation. While Joseph’s dream could truly be seen as a celestial visitation, it occurred for Joseph in the dream state through a superconscious engagement. The dream state allowed for Joseph to be in a quiescent state where he would not be so able to resist the experience.
Notwithstanding the centuries of Hebrew prophets proclaiming the coming of a deliverer, Jesus’ role of world’s deliverer became misconstrued through these prophecies as a messianic mission to establish the Jews in temporal power.
