My new vine surprised me by blooming right after I planted it!

Jesus had a past.

(oh, and this picture has nothing to do with this post….I just love this new plant in my garden!)

I have never thought long and hard about Jesus' humanity.  Most have heard the story from the Bible about the birth of Jesus…the MESSIAH…the PROMISED ONE…GOD'S SON….GOD IN THE FLESH.  Growing up I heard that every Christmas and then I heard about the ministry of Jesus the rest of the year.  I don't remember anyone teaching me about what Jesus the baby, toddler, child, teenager might have been like.  It almost seems sacriligious to talk about Jesus needing his diaper changed, having his knees roughed up by repeatedly tripping over his own feet, having all the same feelings and issues of all other teenagers.  Sexual urges even!  After all He is God!  

The fact remains though that Jesus left heaven for earth and in essence that was God coming to meet us where we are at.   As Creator of all that is, He could certainly have come as royalty, a king and a ruler,  however, He came in a way that we could understand.  A baby born in the usual way, needing to be wiped and cleaned, screaming to get the air into His lungs….helpless, in need of love, care, provision and protection from His parents!  Jesus was a toddler, a child and a teenager and all that goes with that. He worked along side His father, learning the carpentry trade and he was taught their way of life and beliefs, especially as the first born son in the family.  He increased in wisdom throughout His growing up years.  His family most likely did some planting, sowing and reaping in order to put food on the table so he probably knew about that too.  Living and growing up in Nazareth He knew about poverty, hardship, and family that stuck together through hard times.  He observed family and friend marriages and enjoyed friendships and he experienced the human condition through physical realities as well as emotions.  He got tired, hungry and thirsty and He cried.  Jesus was not God playacting.

His past fashioned Him into the instrument God needed for the salvation of the world!

Does this grab you?  Do you want to know more?  Read your Bible.  That's what I do.  There are also some other great books written by people who have done much research and I try hard to be selective about which of those books I read, making sure they do not disagree with the Bible.  Much of what I have just written in this blog comes from a book I am currently reading.  Although I do not agree with all his interpretations of Scripture I am thoroughly enjoying some new ideas and thoughts and have in some of the above written almost word for word what he says.  The book is called JESUS A PILGRIMAGE by James Martin, SJ.    It's the account of his journey to get to know Jesus better and I highly recommend it!

...across the room for my personal review.....

I just read the new Mitch Albom book "Have a little Faith". A quick interesting read and true story about the similarities between an elderly Rabbi and an inner city Detroit Pastor, the characters in the book are the kind of people you want to have in your life. They are interesting, devoted, passionate about what they do and immersed in the lives of the people around them. Neither seem to be concerned about their own comforts and needs and seemingly not at all about their wants. I found a lot of good things in this book about how to live out our faith. While the book kept my attention all afternoon as I read by the fire and keeping in mind Albom reminds us he is not an authority on religion I found that it left me feeling unsatisfied when I finally put it down.

The main reason for that I think is the fact that a search for Truth is not discussed in this book and as far as I'm concerned God and Truth are inseparable. There is really no discussion about the Trinity, or God's greatest Gift to us, His Son Jesus and His work on the cross for our total salvation, the Way, the Truth, and the Life and that no one comes to the Father except through Him. No mention of the blood of Jesus Christ atoning for our sins, and the Holy Spirit who is God in us, empowering, regenerating and comforting us. Personally I just can't gloss over these truths in relating a faith journey.

I get the distinct impression when the author states that he hopes all faiths can find something universal in his story he believes that all "roads" lead to God when the Bible very plainly explains that there is only one way to God and that is through His Son Jesus. I'm very black and white about this and anything less than a clear explanation of God's instruction on how to come to Him leaves me feeling very dissatisfied.

Having said all that, I have to say it was a great read and I wish I could have met the Rabbi before he died. I think I would have liked him a lot!