A Week Away from the Triumphal Entry

March 22, 2021

Scripture

Every year Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem for the Festival of the Passover. When he was twelve years old, they went up to the festival, according to the custom. After the festival was over, while his parents were returning home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but they were unaware of it. …. When they did not find him, they went back to Jerusalem to look for him. After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers. (Luke 2:41-47 NIVUK)

A Week Away from the Triumphal Entry

Looking at an old photo of my father, brother and me in front of Canada’s Parliament buildings brought back memories of family road trips, Coleman stoves and roadside picnic tables. I’m probably sixteen and my brother’s twelve in the photo, embarrassing stages for both of us – but we thought we were mature and brilliant in our own ways.

Jesus didn’t have photo albums, but he had a lifetime of memories of annual road trips to Jerusalem for Passover. But this trip is different. Recently, I wondered if he reminisced about his twelve-year-old self going missing from his parents and sitting in the temple among the same religious leadership structure that wanted to kill him now.

Three decades of faithful observance of religious festivals and synagogue attendance had him immersed in his culture. My own immersion in my family and religious culture is a mixed bag of blessing, wound and opportunity for forgiveness. But was a springboard to creating the spiritual freedom I now experience.

When he was twelve Jesus was deeply engaged in serious spiritual conversation. And it was all about his Father. As he walked Palestine’s dusty roads in the last couple of weeks of his life it was still all about his intimate relationship with his Father. He walked into the teeth of the storm with courage and conviction because the love of the Father empowered him. He walked to redeem the world because he loved the Father and loved his creation.

A Prayer for Today

O God of infinite love and patience, the one who forgives and encourages us to forgive, guide our walk of faith. Help us connect to the life and words of your Son that we may face life with courage and conviction to love and serve those who come across our paths …. For Jesus’ sake.