Belfast author John Warren with his timely new book, The Lost Gospel of Joseph of Arimathea
PICTURE: COLM LENAGHAN IRISH NEWS
Why has the name Joseph of Arimathea always fascinated me? I really don’t know except I like the sound of it. Now, however, I can put some bones to the body of this prominent figure in Palestine, a Jewish leader and a wealthy merchant when, over 2000 years ago, he was trading in silver, lead and tin from Britain and gold from other countries. His wealth promoted him to political responsibilities, he was a senator in the Sanhedrin, the Jewish religious authority for Palestine and what’s more, being the Virgin Mary’s uncle he was great uncle to Jesus.
How do I suddenly know all this? Thanks to a new book by Belfastman John Warren, The Lost Gospel of Joseph of Arimathea. It’s timely that it should arrive on bookshelves during Lent and approaching Easter although it would be just as timely at Christmas as this charts the story of Jesus from Bethlehem to Golgotha outside the walls of Jerusalem, the place of the Crucifixion.
In The Beginning
At the time of the census Mary and Joseph journeyed to the home of Joseph of Arimathea near Bethlehem; as it happened he was travelling home from a business trip in Caesarea when he saw a blazing light fill the sky. “There were crowds around the stable including shepherds from the surrounding hill. They had been directed by angels to the stable. Then a camel train from Persia arrived with Kings and prophets, they all had gifts for the baby acclaiming him a King.” He notes how overwhelmed he was with fear and apprehension.
In his book, John Warren has written Joseph’s story in modern terms, his descriptions are vivid and the story is gripping even though it’s been around for a long time. The names bring memories of Sunday school, Caiaphas, Nicodemus, Jonah, Mary Magdalene.
So Jesus grew up. “For the next eight years there was a normal family life and the history of the birth became a distant memory. It was Passover and Jesus was twelve. As a young man he was destined to change the world for ever and so history began. I, Joseph of Arimathea was a witness to it all.”
As He Grew
While he was working for Joseph an appointment had been made for Jesus to meet silver miners to agree a contract for more material. He invited two friends to go with him. John paints a picture of them travelling from first light, stopping at an old wooden bridge where they lay on the river bank in the sunshine listening to the calming song of nature. Jesus began speaking. “How lovely is thy dwelling place o Lord Almighty. My soul yearns even faints for the courts of the Lord. My heart and my flesh cry out for the living God. Blessed are those whose strength is in you as they pass through the valley.” That’s John’s skill, he can visualise every detail then pass it on to the reader. He obviously thrives on research, over two years he read every book written about his subject and has now turned his attention to the Old Testament and the story of Ruth and Orpah and their mother-in-law Naomi. If it’s anything like his current volume it will be fascinating as Ruth is the granny of King David and Oprah the mother of Goliath.
And so the life story of this man called Jesus unfolds through the eyes of Joseph of Arimathea and the pen of John Warren; from boyhood, when he caused the high priest Annas to watch him carefully as he was obviously someone suspicious and a threat to those in authority impressing the public with his personality, his ability to cure ills and his faith.
As we approach Holy Week, the most powerful account comes as Annas questions Jesus for two hours in the Sanhedrin then calls for a vote. Was He the son of God? Of the 71 present 42 voted not guilty and 29 guilty. But Annas wasn’t having any of it and Jesus ended up before Pilate to be sentenced.
It’s hard reading, the depth of His agony, why the guard pushed a spear into His side, the reaction of the disciples and that of Annas. Joseph gained permission for a traditional burial and so his young nephew was wrapped in white linen and taken to Joseph’s sepulchre. He reports that all was quiet on the Sabbath but at first light on the third morning the guards heard a rumbling noise. The seal snapped and the stone rocked back and forward. “Bright radiant light exploded from the tomb and the ground starts to shake”. And so the account continues with most of us knowing what happened next and through John Warren’s eyes and Joseph’s Gospel it all comes to life.
Published by Shanway Press in Belfast. Available on Amazon and Waterstones. £15
DATE FOR YOUR DIARY
LYRA McKEE SYMPOSIUM
Belfast and District NUJ symposium in memory of our colleague Lyra McKee.
Part of the Imagine! Belfast Festival the event will be held in the Crescent Arts Centre, 2-4 University Road, Belfast BT7 1NH
At 7.30 p.m. on Friday 28th March 2025.
The subject under discussion is a topic, which fascinated Lyra, Artificial Intelligence. In recent years AI has dominated the news agenda and caused an equal amount of positive and negative reflection.
But what about journalism and the media in general, an opportunity or a threat?
Our speakers include Ciaran O’Connor from the Dublin Institute of Strategic Dialogue, Laura Davison NUJ General Secretary, Assistant General Secretary Seamus Dooley, Jude Copeland, Legal Review Manager & Associate (NI) Cleaver Fulton Rankin,
Charlie Beckett London School of Economics and from the Belfast Metropolitan College media student Stiofan Bruce. Chair Anne Hailes
This is a free event. To register please scan the QR below or visit
GOOD BYE OLD FRIEND
Like my colleagues I am sad to hear of the death of Stanley Matchett. He’s recognised as being a photographer of excellence, I know how he took time to set up a photo or been on the spot to grab the fleeting moment and recording it, as in January 1972 when his photo of Bishop Edward Daly coming out of the Bogside on Bloody Sunday, waving his blood stained handkerchief escorting Jackie Duddy as he was carried out of the battle ground. I remember sitting with Bishop Daly in his home in Derry listening intently as he talked of that day, the tensions and mayhem and in the middle of it a brave photographer capturing an image which has lived on, and will live on, in history.
It didn’t matter what was the job, Stanley was a perfectionist. He was awarded an MBE for services to photography and his list of press awards are many and, as a friend, he was always ready to pass on stories, when he phoned you listened and followed up. He ran photography classes in Dunfanaghy taking his students out and about, challenging them with a variety of scenes and situations. I went on one of these expeditions and learned a lot and enjoyed Stanley the teacher. He was professional but he was also a great communicator. Love and prayers to his wife Maureen and his family.
Morning time 5 Live is causing me concern. From six o’clock there are a couple of broadcasters who talk over each other and giggle a lot whilst bringing the listener up to date with the world news. Then this morning at about 6 a.m. a podcast called Ellis and John reached a new low for me – these two men talked rubbish and laughed uproariously at their own feeble jokes. So disturbing that I just got up and came down for breakfast and enjoyed a couple of extra hours looking out at the early morning sun and the green grass and even wandered down to the greenhouse to check my little delicate plants. Thank you Ellis and John for inspiring me to rise and shine.
Thank you also to the animal lover who sent this delightful thought for today. We always had at least one dog except for recent years but who knows!
I wish you a very Happy St. Patrick’s Day. What a man but did he banish snakes from Ireland? A myth apparently. Snakes never made it to the island of Ireland so there were none to banish! Allegedly!