In this new question and answer, local author, Carole Crossley, helps us to think in a rhetorical sense what it may have been like for Jesus leaving his family home.
At the present time, Carole has been led by the Lord to write her latest book called The Carpenter’s Sacrifice. It will be published each month on this section of the website and consists of fifteen chapters. I’m sure we will all find them very illuminating and in many ways challenging in relation to our own life as a disciple of Jesus. Thank you Carole.
Thank you Lachim pexels.com
In 2014 I went on a pilgrimage to Israel with McCabe Pilgrimages. Together we visited quite a few places where Jesus traditionally and generally travelled which was fascinating and a great experience. As we are aware, Jesus was born in Bethlehem and raised in Nazareth as found in (Matthew 2) and then he left his home to embark on his public ministry from around the age of thirty.
As a baby, Jesus was taken to Egypt by his parents and then returned to Nazareth. As an adult, he travelled extensively around the regions of Galilee, Judea, Perea and Samaria. He was based in the town of Capernaum and also visited Tyre, Sidon and Phoenicia which is modern day Lebanon and Syria.
Jesus travelled on and beside the Sea of Galilee and visited Jerusalem for Passover, the cleansing of the Temple, personally and for his crucifixion. So when Jesus travelled he would have had continual support from his parents and siblings who would have missed him and wondered what was happening to him and his amazing ministry.
Thank you, Carole, for your very interesting insight and thank you Jesus for your willingness to descend to earth in your humble manner to be humiliated and die a criminal’s death to be our Saviour and Redeemer.
“Looking at Mary, my mother, I could tell by her big, sad, eyes that she knew the time had come for me to leave. I crushed her slight frame against me in a hold that needed no words. Kissing her silky hair, I breathed in deeply, absorbing her scent and storing it for future comfort. Quickly I turned and went on my way without looking back.
It was dawn, with the clean freshness of the day, before the sun had risen. A time of quiet peace that I had enjoyed since being a young boy. My soft leather sandals protected my feet and I almost skipped along, taking the rough terrain in my stride. There was a bubbling excitement that had its roots hidden, deep inside my soul.
A Carpenter in the Nazareth Village. Thanks waynestiles.com
Initially the road was known to me but, the further from Nazareth I went, the less familiar it became. An involuntary smile played around my lips; I was off to begin my Father’s work, to accomplish something great, a task that no one else would be able to achieve.
My pace increased as I felt suddenly light and free. It was a release to finally break the bonds of family life and set out on this adventure. The feeling of elation was exhilarating and I felt the powerful pull of God’s Spirit captivating my heart.
I knew, however, that I had a serious job to do and, truthfully, when I thought about it, my stomach did somersaults, I would do what God wanted me to do but I intended to have some fun first. I spread my arms wide, gazed up into the brilliant blue heavens and grinned at my Father. I leapt into the air, twisting around in pure joy. I saw Him smile down at me, our spirits combined, and He lent speed to my excited, ecstatic steps.
I had walked and talked to my Father intensely, for many months, before commencing this journey. I was indeed ready to begin but I knew that I couldn’t accomplish anything without Him. The nourishing flat bread, goats cheese, tomatoes, olives and figs that my mother had packed for me, had indeed sustained me but they had almost gone.
The oil-soaked cloth that she had wrapped the food in was a comforting reminder; I rubbed it over my dry hands to keep them moist and the olive oil penetrated my skin that soothed and comforted them. The baking sun was so bright that the vision before me became a blurred haze; it danced as it changed shape and I squinted in order to allow my eyes to focus. I had reached the Jordan River and immediately my eyes descended on my cousin, John the Baptist.
Thank you freebibleimages.org
John was standing up to his waist in the flowing water which swirled and interfered with his balance. There were a number of people crowding around him, patiently waiting, wanting to be baptised!
John then baptised me in my Father’s name. Slowly, and with reverence, I waded in, up to my waist in the flowing water, meeting with him in the river’s depths. John recognised me once he saw me but hesitated about wanting to baptise me. He stepped back; I pointed out that the scriptures said it must be this way and I humbly bowed my head with submission. (Matthew 3: 13 -17)
As I emerged from the water, the Spirit of God descended, like a dove settling upon me. Then, God’s voice said, “This is my beloved son, in whom, I am well pleased.” It was a wonderful moment and the memory would render me strength during the coming weeks. My eyes glistened at God’s praise. I swallowed deeply with emotion and then, standing erect, I climbed out of the water.
I swallowed up God’s peace as I viewed the scene before me. Now it would begin!”
Carole and Graham
Selah: (Pause to think calmly on what has just been read) and check out A Time to Worship and Motivational Moments
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