Following the events surrounding Lazarus a short while ago, the emotion that I had experienced had really drained me and I needed some time to reflect and regain my stamina.
Jesus’s mother and brothers thank you bibleimageslibary.org
I started to look back over my life, short though it had been. I recalled with great fondness, the most wonderful earthly parents, to whom I would be eternally grateful. Their influence had shaped my early years and their preparation in my life had helped me to develop a character of endurance.
I loved the time spent with my dad Joseph, I appreciated his patient encouragement as he taught me carpentry, sometimes working in stone, but often his preference would be working with wood.
I must admit I enjoyed being able to take a block of randomly shaped timber and change its appearance into something useful and beautiful. I had practiced on dad’s offcuts and presented my mum with numerous, wobbly, unidentifiable objects,
I lovingly sanded and prepared them with patience and excitement, especially for her. She never questioned what they might be, her joy in my gift overflowed from her consistently loving heart and she made me feel like a master craftsman.
My mother made everything safe and right. I loved the twinkle she always had in her deep, dark, beautiful eyes. She was dainty, with a mop of long shiny hair which I loved to see, flowing freely down her back when she washed it and she allowed the breeze to dry it naturally.
It was a pity that she mostly kept it tied back and covered, as was the custom, protecting it from the hot sun and also to comply with the modesty of the day.
She was a marvellous cook and housekeeper, with a ready smile which wrapped me in warmth and security. Mum loved to dance and my brothers and I tried to make up for dad’s lack of dexterity in that department.
With all of us, it meant that she was never short of dance partners and we competed for her attention. Mum taught me first though because I was the eldest, which meant that I invariably replaced dad more frequently than my brothers did.
The lineage of Jesus thank you bibleimageslibary.org
God had blessed me with loving relatives but like all families, we had plenty of sibling rivalry, which we all enjoyed in simple fun. We were a normal family and slotted into the community just like any other.
My upbringing may have been poor in terms of wealth, but what we lacked in possessions, was more than compensated for by our sheer joy and happiness of being together and having a sense of belonging that we always cherished.
My childhood was happy and being the eldest son gave me some status. I would have willingly traded that though, if it had meant that I could have avoided seeing the consuming sadness in my mother’s eyes, when the time came for me to depart.
My mum was very astute and I was deeply grateful that she had never attempted to prevent me from going. She knew from a very early age that I would one day leave her and do what God had ordained for my life.
Mary knew that there was a plan for me right from the beginning. The circumstances of my birth and her closeness to God had made her insightful, we had a very special bond.
I was thankful for her discernment, it allowed me to carry on without the need of an explanation. Yes I was blessed to grow up in a normal household, it enabled me to learn first-hand about family life and it gave me an invaluable perception. I discovered what it meant to share and my parents taught me with compassion and empathy.
I understood the depth of love that exists between mother and son, together with all my family connections, which were all very special. I grew to appreciate the different types of relationships, as we each took on different rolls within a family unit.
I had hopes and dreams just like any other teenager I liked games and jokes and the sweet treats that my mother made. I loved parties and dancing and yes girls. Growing up we all played together and we were deeply respectful of our parents and the culture of the time.
The traditions that were our heritage, were observed and practiced with dignity. I was never allowed to be alone with a girl, but I admit I didn’t always follow that to the letter.
My Father in heaven kept a close eye on me though and there was never anything other than a quick kiss during our games as teenagers. I was always aware that I had a great task to accomplish and that I mustn’t allow anything to get in the way, or cloud my vision.
We learned first-hand about the different skills taught to us in our village. I never looked too far ahead, living in the moment and enjoying every minute of my life. All the children studied The Torah. I must admit that I did this avidly, knowing the importance that would be placed upon my knowledge of its contents, in the years to come, when I began my ministry.
We were rich in each other’s company, but the claim and pull of God’s plan for my life was never far away. I stayed close to my family for as long as it was possible, knowing full well that the time was approaching for me to begin my Father’s work.
Jesus was strong and compassionate Thank you bibleimageslibary.org
I was thirty, tall and solidly built, manhandling stone for many years had ensured that I had well developed muscles. Years of battling with huge slabs of wood had given me physical strength.
Some said that my dark brown eyes could drown them and also save them. I never really understood what they meant, maybe they saw something of my Father’s Spirit in me.
Girls seemed to like me, but I was a little shy around them. My brothers often teased me about that. Although I would have enjoyed a friendship with a girl, God’s plan hadn’t factored that in and I thought that I shouldn’t allow the distraction. This I must admit saddened me a little.
My skin was weathered given my lifestyle, I loved the warmth of the sun and spent as much time as possible outside. I relished sitting amongst the animals when I talked to God, their gentle munching was a soothing reminder, of my lowly birth.
I would tenderly fondle the donkey’s head, as I gazed into his big pool like eyes and I anticipated the joyful entry into Jerusalem, which I would one day experience, I had a God given vision of riding on the back of one of these humble creatures, in the not too distant future.
Some people said that I was reserved or maybe too serious at times, these remarks often came from the females who had unsuccessfully pursued me. I had my mother’s love of fun though, so their remarks weren’t taken seriously. There was a plan for my life however, which ‘Was’ serious and I wasn’t free to just go in any direction that I fancied!
I knew that I had a sensitive side, God had planted so many aspects into my character. For instance the physical strength I displayed which had increased, whilst working with Joseph, but I never used it to overpower others.
The faithful kindness which I had learnt from my mother and which she often displayed, was a much more disarming tool, when making a point.
All that I learned whilst growing up made me grateful and coupled with my intense closeness to God, I had been shaped into the man that I now was.
Jesus of Nazareth – Saviour of the World.
Carole Crossley
Explore to Inspire 
