ALIVE: Chapter 118, The Homecoming

Jesus hiked down the mountain and out of the lofty wilderness saturated with the Holy Spirit of God. When He arrived back in the center of Jerusalem, in the thick of the bustling world that He had observed from on high He broke His fast with plump fresh figs that He found on a heavily laden fig tree on His path. He picked several and carried them over to a bench under a big Sycamore and sat down to enjoy the first food He had eaten in weeks. The red sweet pulp of the fig was juicy and satisfying. He closed his eyes while He was delighting in it to enjoy the fig without visual distraction. Nothing before ever tasted so delicious. After eating all the figs, He was ready for bread. He stood up and walked over to the baker’s shop. The aroma of the baking bread lured Him in. ‘What can be heartier than a good loaf of fresh bread?’ He thought to Himself. 

Jesus looked around to observe the many people in the city going about their business, children playing and running, women hanging clothes to dry, carpenters hammering and sawing. Jesus loved life. 

Before leaving Jerusalem He went to visit the tomb of His grandparents Joachim and Anna. His mother had taken Him there whenever they were in Jerusalem. They would sit on the grassy ground and she would tell her Son everything she could remember about her parents. She still missed them very much and even though He had never met them, she wanted them to live strong in His heart. Without saying anything to His mother, Jesus silently promised that they would be among the first to arise from Hades. 

It was time to leave Jerusalem. Jesus went to make arrangements for the next caravan north. While waiting in line to purchase His fare, He overheard the men talking about the fate of John the Baptist.

“Did you hear that the Baptizer is in prison? They plan to behead him!”

“Yes, but why? What did he do?”

“I heard he didn’t do anything. His capture was the reward of a princess for pleasing the governor with dance. Her mother told her to ask for his head on a platter.”

Gasp! “What kind of evil world do we live in?”

“No one knows why God puts up with us at all.” was the reply of a life-hardened man. 

While waiting for the caravan, Jesus was deeply disturbed concerning John. Then He remembered that John had said, ‘I must decrease and He must increase.’ Nevertheless, the thought of John, the scruffy passionate servant of the Lord, being imprisoned and worse grieved Jesus. He prayed that John may meet his fate bravely and peacefully. In His meditation Jesus heard His Father tell Him to be at peace. Just as John was the forerunner of Jesus on earth who opened the door of the people’s hearts to repentance; just as he prepared the way of the Lord, so too must He be sent to Hades ahead of Himself to prepare the captives for their imminent release. With these messages from the Father, Jesus’ grief turned to peace and confidence that His infinitely wise Father knew how and when to transform evil for His purposes. Such manipulation of evil was never the preferred, clean and simple way. It was the shrewd way to victory. God always wins. 

The caravan of camels and donkeys, and of stately coaches was ready to be loaded with passengers heading north. Jesus mounted the donkey that He was directed to. The food strengthened Him. He was prepared for the several days journey back to Nazareth having a lot to think about. The trek was long and hard as it always was, six days and five nights as the beasts of burden walked from Jerusalem to Nazareth so that the men, women and children wouldn’t have to. Without complaint or argument the donkeys and camels quietly, complacently did their jobs for nothing more than grain and water as payment. 

None of the passengers could communicate with each other over the sounds of dozens of hoofs beating the ground with every step. Each man, woman and child traversed the miles and miles of road for days on end engulfed in thoughts, and when those were depleted still minds reveled in the sheer being of their own humanity and in nature. Sunshine, heat, sunset, cold, dust, less dust, breeze, no breeze. Nothing but being-ness. At planned intervals, the caravan stopped at camps for meals, and of course to feed the animals too and allow them rest. They set up their bedrolls at night and slept under the stars. The drivers built fires every evening when wood was available as their final task before taking rest. And yet from time to time the mass of passengers erupted in song. Jesus sang along with them. Music united the group, it cheered, it entertained, it filled the air with the life of sound bringing them slowly but surely closer to their destination. 

Finally, the caravan arrived in Nazareth on the evening of Shabbat. Passengers in the coaches emerged, donkey riders dismounted, camel riders slid down. Hardly anyone but a few children petted their beasts for thanks and said goodbye. More people shook hands, some hugged their fellow passengers who had become new friends. 

Jesus briskly walked away from the group as He was anxious to see His mother and father again. He hadn’t been away from them for such a long period of time before. Joseph looked so frail when he left. It was sunset when He approached the house. Jesus  walked in as He had done for years. Hearing Him enter, His brother James came to greet Him.

“Jesus! How good to see you. How was the journey?”

“Hello James” said Jesus a little surprised to see him there. “It was long as usual, but not too bad. How is father?” Then Jesus looked around at small differences He quickly noticed.

“A lot has happened since you left brother. Come sit down. Rachel,” hollered James, “fetch us some tea please.” Then turning back to Jesus, James announced, “Father passed away soon after you left.” 

Jesus was stunned by the news. He hadn’t expected it and wondered why His heavenly 

Father hadn’t told Him.

“Oh dear, where is My mother? Is she okay?”

“Yes, Jesus. Your mother moved back into her parent’s home and gave me this house.”

“James, do you mind if I go to mother now. I want to see her right away. We will have tea and talk more another time.”

“Of course,” replied James. “Go. She will be happy to see you.”

At that, Jesus picked up His satchel and headed out the door. On His way to His mother’s home, Jesus listened in His heart for words from His Father, but no words came.

When He arrived at His grandparent’s house, Jesus took a deep breath, and knocked on the door with His signature rhythmical knock that always announced His arrival, and opened it. 

Hearing Jesus’ knock Mary quickly rushed to the door. At the sight of her beloved Son, Mary flung herself into His open arms. They hugged for a good long while. 

Mary broke the silence, “Oh my Son, I am so happy to see You! Come let’s sit down. Are You hungry?”

Jesus knew that the answer His mother wanted to hear was, “Yes. I am, famished, what have you got?” 

“How did I know you were coming? I just made a lamb stew today. Come sit down my love. Oh, you will want to wash up first. Go ahead while I prepare our supper. Oh, my dear you’ll never know how happy I am to see you.” Mary was beaming, her heart was full of joy at the return of her Son. He looked different, older, wiser, stronger. Although it had not been two months since He left home, it felt like a year. So much had happened. Joseph passed away, she moved to her parents home. There where she was born, there she was weaned; to there she returned as a betrothed young lady, a graduate of the Temple School. To this home she ran after the announcement of the Archangel Gabriel. There was the bed in which her father died. No don’t look back! Here is her Son come home!

“Supper is ready!” 

Jesus entered the room fresh and clean. 

They sat down. Jesus, as man of the house, bowed His head and gave thanks to God for their meal, and expressed His gratitude for that moment. What a gift. A tear spilled out of Mary’s eye at the prayer that was as much her own; they were one in love with the Father God. 

After the prayer Jesus dug into His mother’s stew. Oh! So delicious! What a skilled cook she  was. Mary looked at her Son as He was eating, but couldn’t wait another minute to ask. “So, where have you been?”

Jesus gave her a brief summary of the baptism and the crowds of people there all seeking repentance. “Mama, It was amazing how many people sincerely wanted to be right with God they kept coming, and when I left, more people were filing in.” Jesus did not mention the announcement from heaven. Instead He told her about His hike in the wilderness, and communing with the Father. Neither did He mention wrestling with the sly tempter, nor His flight.

“And how about you, mother. Tell me what happened.” 

Mary described the shock of Joseph’s passing and the honors bestowed on the family by the village. It was her decision to move to her parent’s home; she was so happy to live here again. She was at peace, reading, visiting. And being visited. 

After supper, Mary said, ‘You must be very tired my Son.” I will make up the divan for you, and we can talk some more in the morning. 

“Thank you mama.” They hugged again and Mary withdrew into her bedroom, full of joy and peace having her Son under her roof. She fell asleep quickly and soundly as she hadn’t slept in months. 

Jesus only stayed in Nazareth with his mother for several days. He knew how much she rejoiced in His presence, especially at this time of bereavement. She told Him of her youth in the temple and how the Lord brought Joseph into her life; about what a gift he had been to her, to both of them. She was so grateful for her years with Joseph. Jesus too was grateful for His earthly father. Joseph taught Him to read, and how to study the scriptures. Jesus looked over His books and His grandfather’s holy books recalling many memories of precious times in mutual revelations as they studied together. When they weren’t working together building furniture, they were reading or hiking. Joseph became like a brother and a best friend to Jesus. 

Twice during those days back home Jesus visited Joseph’s workshop and relished in the aroma of the shaven wood. As He said goodbye to the shop, He knew He would never be a carpenter again. Yes, thought Jesus, He would miss Joseph, and mother will miss him too. 
On the Sabbath Jesus went into the synagogue and stood up to read. He was handed the book of the prophet Isaiah. He opened the book, which happened to be exactly where He wanted to read. Jesus smiled thanking the angel for saving him time from hunting for the passage. Jesus cleared His throat to get the attention of the gathered and in a clear strong voice He read, 

The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me,

Because He has anointed Me

To preach the gospel to the poor;

He has sent Me to heal the broken hearted.

To proclaim liberty to captives

And recovery of sight to the blind,

To set at liberty those who are oppressed

To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord. 

Then He closed the book and handed it back to the attendant and sat down. 

All eyes were fixed on Him. He hadn’t preached, He simply read. They wanted to know how this passage was relevant to them now. 

Jesus knew what they were thinking and simply gave them time for that reaction. He looked around at the curious faces hungering for Wisdom and satisfied them by adding in a clear loud voice, “Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.”

A few gasps followed. 

One man whispered to his cousin sitting next to him, “Isn’t this Joseph’s son?”

Jesus said, “You will surely say this proverb to Me. ‘Physician, heal yourself!’ Whatever we have heard done in Capernaum do also here in Your country.

I say to you, no prophet is accepted in his own country. But I tell you that many widows were in Israel in the days of Elijah, when heaven was shut up for three years and six months, and there was great famine throughout the land; but to none of them was Elijah sent except to Zarephath in the region of Sidon, to a woman who was a widow. 

And many lepers were in Israel in the time of Elisha the prophet, and none of them was cleansed except Naaman the Syrian.”

One by one the men in the synagogue began to comprehend the insult and grew furious.

A big burly man was the first to stand up. “We’ve heard enough!” And he went over to grab Jesus by the collar. Others followed in support. The group pushed Him out of their synagogue and shoved Him over towards the cliff, but He wormed his way out of the clustered mob and escaped back to His home. 

He quickly opened and shut the door behind Him.

“Mother, I’m home, but I’m afraid it’s time to leave Nazareth.”

“Why my dear, what happened?”

“Let’s just say, I know it’s time to move on.”

Jesus hugged His mother with a good long grateful hug for all that she had done for Him, and given Him. She wept in His embrace.  

When they separated, Jesus reached over to the table where a clean handkerchief lay; He picked it up and gently wiped the tears from her cheeks, and said, “Let’s sit down and talk,”

.....

Jesus announced to His mother that He was going to Galilee, to the sea to begin the mission for which He was born. It was meaningful that this beginning, like His baptism in the Jordan would be at the sea. Water. ‘In the beginning when God created the heavens and the earth, the earth was a formless void and darkness covered the face of the deep, while the Spirit of God  like a wind swept over the face of the waters.’ In the beginning there was water. And again, the second beginning, ‘God blotted out every living thing that was on the face of the ground, the human beings and the animals and creeping things and birds of the air; they were blotted from the earth. Only Noah was left, and those who were with him in the ark. And the waters swelled on the earth for one hundred and fifty days.’ Time and a half. 

So as in the beginning Jesus began His mission near the waters of the Galilee. The days of His youth and preparation were fulfilled. The world had arrived at the time of the third beginning. The time of restoration of man, of man’s relationship with his Creator. The time of teaching and of healing. He was ready.

On the morning that Jesus was to leave for Galilee, He and His mother spent a good long time in prayer together, the synagogue of two before the Lord. God the Father, His bride Mary, and His Son. She chanted like an angel, He prayed. The Holy Spirit filled the room with light. The true light that broke through and overcame the darkness on the first day, not the inferior light of the Sun and moon and stars that were created on the fourth day. This sacred illumination of the room happened at the height of day so that the neighbors could not notice, for indeed it was a very sunny day, and the whole village was busy with their work and their chores, while Mary and Jesus communed with God. The parting hug was a tiny tear drop compared with the flood of life they had just experienced.

Mary stood at the door watching Jesus walk away until He turned the corner and could be seen no more. And then she gently shut the door behind her. The grief of the days before Jesus’ return had vanished from her heart. Mary decided to make bread that day. And perhaps drink a little wine during supper that evening. She was in perfect peace.