My cousin My Lord | Previous Challenge Entry

how it works

TITLE: My cousin My Lord | Previous Challenge Entry
By Karye Willard
05/28/08
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Joshua sat by a small pool of water inside the temple gate. He was very good at making his public appearances scarce, minimal, and forgettable to the majority of people, however, the wrestling match going on in his mind had brought him to the temple where people, particularly Christians like his cousin James, could be found. Joshua's father, John, was a brother to Joseph, James's father. Both James and Joshua were about the same age and had played together as children.

As a child, James had loved to entertain with stories of his brother Jesus. For example (Luke 2:41-52 NIV), the year Jesus was 12, after the Passover feast in Jerusalem, Uncle Joseph, Aunt Mary, and the rest of their family minus Jesus begin returning to Nazareth. About a day into the trip, they realize Jesus is missing. They returned to Jerusalem and search for Jesus three days until they find him in the temple. “You just can't take that kid anywhere,” James said half laughing.

As an adult, James was a little embarrassed and usually annoyed with his brother's actions. For example (Luke 12:15-50 NIV), once when Jesus was healing the sick, driving out demons, and talking about being God's chosen servant, a good tree and a bad tree, the Pharisees being a brood of vipers, the sign of Jonah, the wicked generation, and how his biological mother and brothers weren't his mother or brothers at all. “That person is going to get us all in trouble if he doesn't watch what he says!” James shook with fear and disgust as he talked.

Since Jesus's crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension, James and several of Joshua's other cousins had changed their minds about Jesus. “He is the Messiah -- the Christ -- the One prophesied in the Law of Moses, by the Prophets, and through the Psalms (Luke 24:44 NIV),” James joyfully asserted.

Joshua had taken some time to go back over the Law, the Prophets, and the Psalms. However, he came to the same conclusion as James -- his cousin was the Lord. Now that he knew that for himself, Joshua wasn't exactly sure what to do. So, he had come to the temple because something or maybe someone told him James would know what to do.

“Joshua, how are you?” asked a loud voice from behind him. Joshua jumped up. A little startled, he turned around to face his cousin James.

“Hello, James.” After the customary greetings were exchanged. “James, I believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah, and the Son of the Living God. What do I do now?”

James chuckled, “Funny that you should ask, I have actually begun writing on the very subject. Right now, you should be baptized into the death and resurrection of Christ for the remission of your sins and for the promise of salvation. We can go ahead and do this now if you are ready.” Joshua nodded quickly. Then he and James began to make their way into the pool.

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