Home to Nazareth with Jesus
Joseph has taken Mary and Jesus to Egypt for protection from Herod, just as the angel said. Now it is time to go home to Nazareth, as another angel has directed.
We have come to a period in Jesus’ life where we have little information. It sparks my inquisitive nature and imagination. I recognize that Jesus’ ministry years are the ‘highlights’ of His life, but I like looking at the background too.
How did His brothers and sisters treat Him? Were they jealous of the ‘praise’ Jesus received from others?
“Why can’t you be more like Jesus? He never disobeys. He gets good marks in Torah class?”
Or, did He teach His brothers and sisters? As the eldest, He may have been looked up to by His siblings. (I know this subject of Jesus’ brothers and sisters gets controversial. I want to link you to a website/blog post that I fully agree with. For those of you who cling to Mary remaining a virgin for life, I apologize in advance. The Mary of my story was a mother of many and loved ALL her children.)
When Jesus is in the Temple, teaching, is the last time we see Joseph. I wonder how and when he died. What did Mary and the children do afterwards? Did Jesus take on the job of caring for the family until the other children were old enough to help? Did family step in and lend a hand? I’m hoping that the Holy Spirit fills in a little of the blanks for me. I don’t expect a full day-by-day account, but a few snippets and key points would certainly be appreciated.
Holy Spirit, lead this journey where You would have it go. You know the ‘spots’ I would like to see. If You would allow me to see them through Your eyes, I would be most grateful. Show me what You would have me take for my own life as well.
♥ ♦ ♥
Joseph works hard providing for his family while in Egypt. The people are strange, the customs different, and they are seen as outsiders. Children don’t care though. To them, anyone their size is a potential friend. Jesus encounters many ‘friends’ as he plays near His abba’s feet in the workshop.
Having been weaned, He is experiencing the first lessons of ‘apprenticeship’. Jesus is introduced to His abba’s trade. He is given small blocks of wood to play with. He plays in the sawdust and shavings, often getting them tangled in His hair. He even has a child sized hammer His abba crafted for Him so they could hammer things together. He spends much of His day at His abba’s side.
As Jesus grows, He is asked to carry pieces of wood to the table for different projects. He is taught the difference between the types of wood and what each is use best for. He even has hand over hand practice with some of the less dangerous tools, like the rasp.
And all the while, while learning the skills of carpentry, Joseph also shares the lessons of the scriptures with Him. It is amazing how Joseph can tie the two together and bring lessons from the Torah out like the grain in the wood; weaving through the piece and holding it together while also providing beauty and uniqueness to each piece.
One of Jesus’ favorite times in His abba’s shop is when customers bring their children while commissioning a piece from Joseph. During these times, Jesus is allowed to play with the other children while the adults talk. They always find things to entertain one another. And that ‘entertainment’ leads to mischief. Jesus is just like any other child ever born into the world, and His curiosity can get the better of Him. But when He is reprimanded or told “No” regarding some activity, He never has to be corrected again on that matter.
Jesus learns His boundaries well, but He has to find them, like any other child, by seeking His limits. Joseph is always nearby to set safe limits while still allowing room for learning and growth.
One day, after a hard day in the shop, Joseph begins thinking about home; Nazareth. He wonders how the house he constructed for himself and Mary is doing. Did someone move into it during their absence? Is the roof still sound? Have vermin moved in?
More than the house is pulling at his heart. He longs for the love and companionship of is abba and brothers. He misses the climate. He misses the familiar sights too. In short, he is ‘homesick’.
Joseph also wants to continue growing their family. But being in hiding and on the run from Herod is not the time to be having more children. It is all he can do to keep Mary and Jesus safe. Joseph and Mary have decided to wait until they are settled again to have more children. They have been in Egypt for two years. Jesus is four years old now. “How old will He be before He has brothers and sister” Joseph wonders. He decides to pray.
“Lord God above the whole earth, I’m weary of running. When will it be time to go home? I will do whatever is needed to protect the family You have given me. But I long for sons of my own as well. Your Son is amazing, but He is not truly mine. None other will ever know this, but my heart aches for a child who is flesh of my flesh. Even so, Lord, Your will be done in my life. If I never have a child of my own, raising Your Son WILL be enough.”
A week later, Joseph is visited in a dream by the angel of the Lord. “Rise, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who sought the child’s life are dead” (Matthew 2:20).
Joseph wakes the next morning with a spring in his step. As Mary prepares their breakfast, Joseph shares the news with her.
“I had a dream last night from the Lord.”
“Really? What did He say?”
“He said that it is safe for us to return to Israel. Herod is dead.”
“Mary raises her eyes heavenward and says; “Praise be to Adonia! Your hand has kept us safe in a foreign land, and how You are bringing us home t oIsrael.”
Joseph smiles, this is exactly how he is feeling too. Mary interrupts his thoughts. “When do we leave?”
“I wasn’t given a timeframe, but soon is my guess.”
“Can we leave right away? Tonight or tomorrow?”
Joseph smiles at Mary’s eagerness. “I have a couple of commissioned projects that I have to finish up first. We will leave as soon as they are finished and delivered.”
“Is there anything I can do to help you? Maybe even keep Jesus with me so you don’t have to worry about what He might be getting into.”
“Jesus is no bother at all. He is becoming quite an accomplished helper. I’m almost finished anyway. It shouldn’t take more than a couple days to wrap it all up.”
True to his word, Joseph is ready to go two days later. He brings out the donkey cart and they start packing it. Joseph’s tools go back into their compartment. Joseph made Mary a beautiful rocking chair that will have to be left behind. Blankets, clothing, and a small amount of food for the journey is all the cart can hold. Once everything is packed, Joseph and Mary say farewell to their neighbors and head out for Israel.
Along the journey, that family meets other travelers going both directions. They strike camp together in the evenings for safety. One such evening, as they are nearing the border of Israel, Joseph and Mary are joined by a caravan coming to Egypt. One topic of conversation raised that evening concerns the political climate in Israel.
“Things are a little easier since Herod’s death, but I’m afraid that his son, Archelaus, might try to return to the ways of his abba.”
“What ways would those be” Joseph asks.
“I don’t know exactly, but raising taxes again or completing some of his abba’s plots for vengeance. Things like that.”
Joseph nods. As he lies on the ground by the donkey cart this night, his mind won’t quiet down. “What if Archelaus still seeks to kill Jesus? What would we do then? Would we have to return to Egypt?” He turns this possibility over in his mind for a while before another thought floats up. “The angel of the Lord told us to return. You would not call us back into danger Lord.” Joseph thinks a bit longer until a plan finally arises in his spirit. “We will return to Nazareth. To the home I built for Mary and our families.”
That settled, Joseph adjusts the path the family is traveling. They go around the area of Judasa and head straight for the region of Galilee.
Everyone is thrilled when Joseph and Mary arrive back in town. The first place they stop is Mary’s parent’s home. Her ima bursts into tears when she sees her. Mary introduces Jesus to his grand ima. She saw him in their second year while in Bethlehem during one of the annual feasts, but He has grown so much!
“Ima, you remember our Son Jesus.”
Jesus smiles broadly at her. Mary’s ima throws her hands in the air, then envelops Jesus in a tight hug. Jesus hugs her fiercely back. After a minute, she holds him at arms length. “Let me get a good look at you.” She turns Jesus around and exclaims; “You are so BIG, You are almost grown up!”
Jesus smiles and stands a little taller.
Mary’s abba comes out to see what all the commotion is and is swept up in the excitement too. “Who is this strapping young lad you brought home with you? Certainly not little Jesus!”
Jesus laughs. “It’s Me grand abba, Jesus.”
Mary’s abba bends down pretending to get a closer look. “Blow me over like a thistle, it IS Jesus!”
Jesus nods his head and smiles. Laughter rises up all around.
“We will have a celebration! Our daughter has returned from the dead” exclaims Mary’s abba. “Break out the wine and set the table. We feast tonight!”
“We have to go visit Joseph’s parents before any celebrations can be planned” Mary says.
“Invite them to come too. DRAG them here if you have to! We will offer praise to the Lord for bringing our children and grandson home to us.”
“I’ll ask abba, but I don’t know what they will say.”
Mary and Joseph leave an excited home. “Do you think your ima and abba will come for a celebration tonight” Mary asks.
“If not tonight, I have a feeling they will want to celebrate as well” Joseph says with a smile.
It doesn’t take long for the little family to reach Joseph’s parent’s home. Their welcome is just as jubilant.
Joseph presents Mary and Jesus to his parents. “You remember Mary and our Son Jesus” Joseph says while standing behind them.
“Of course we do!” Joseph’s ima embraces Mary and Jesus in one huge hug.
“Aiii! You have grown so much! I wouldn’t have recognized you if it weren’t for your abba’s introduction” Joseph’s ima says while pinching Jesus’ cheeks.
“Ima, my abba has invited everyone to their home to celebrate our return. Would you be free to come?”
“We would LOVE to come. When is this celebration?”
Mary dips her head a little as if afraid or apologizing for such short notice. “It is today” she says.
“Then I better get busy baking! We can’t show up emptyhanded.”
Mary breathes a sigh of relief. She didn’t want conflict on their first night back in town.”
Joseph asks his abba to walk with him. When the two are away from the group of women, Joseph asks the question that is heavy on his mind. “How is our house, Abba?”
Joseph’s abba scratches his chin. “It could use a bit of sprucing up, but I believe it is still sound. I kept anyone from taking it as their own. I KNEW you would return some day.”
“Thank you, Abba. This will make life so much easier for us.”
As they walked back, Joseph’s abba made an observation. “I notice that you still only have the one Son. Is there a problem I should be praying for?”
“No, Abba. We were on the move so much in Egypt that we needed to keep our family small. Now that we are home, and settled, I trust the Lord will fill our house with laughter.”
“That was wise, is suppose. Jesus will be a help in raising up His brothers.”
“You would be AMAZED at how much he has learned already in the trade of carpentry! I’ll be able to sit back and let Him do all the work in another few years” Joseph chides.
Both men laugh. “What about Torah? Is He learning the scriptures of our people?”
“Absolutely! He absorbs it like a sponge. And He UNDERSTANDS IT! That is the most amazing thing of all.”
“That’s wonderful!”
After making the arrangements for everyone to meet at Mary’s parents’ home, Joseph and Mary make their way to their own home. “My abba said he kept it safe for us, but that it could use a little sprucing up.”
“I’m so glad to finally be coming back to OUR home. I’m tired of renting other people’s homes and furniture. I want to sit down in the chair you made for me so many years ago.”
“I don’t think Jesus will fit the bed I made for Him” Joseph teases. “I’ll have to get busy on a bigger one.”
“Can I help, Abba?”
“I think that would be a wonderful idea. We will make it together.”
“And I will sew a mattress for it.”
When they arrive at their home, Joseph notices right away several things that need fixing. Some of the shutters are broken and lying on the ground. When they go inside, a family of Caucasian squirrel have made a nest in one corner. They even brought oak nuts and pine cones in for their supper.
Jesus’ eyes go wide at the sight of them. “Abba, can I play with them?”
“No, Son. They are wild creatures. We will build them a new home outside. When we move their food stores to the new home they should move there as well. If they don’t, then we will have to ‘help’ them move on from here.”
“They can’t stay?”
Mary speaks up; “Absolutely NOT. Squirls bring diseases.”
After making a thorough walk through the house, Joseph is certain that he and Mary can put everything right again. But it will take a few days. For now, they unhitch the donkey cart and put it under cover. Joseph pats the side of the cart. “You have served us well. Hopefully, we won’t need you for any more long journeys.”
The celebration at Mary’s parents’ home is everything they could have hoped for. Friends, family, good food, wine, and all the love they can absorb. Jesus meets several of his cousins. Mary wishes that Elizabeth could have been here with John, but they live too far away. She will see them the next time they go to Jerusalem.
Joseph and Mary settle down into a predictable routine after arriving home. Joseph picks up his carpentry business again. The rumors about Mary are long dead and no longer get in the way of bringing in customers. Jesus works with His abba daily in the shop and the customers love meeting Him. And Mary is expecting their second child!
The years pass in a blink of an eye! Joseph and Mary have added two sons and a daughter to their number by the time Jesus reaches His twelfth year. He LOVES being a big brother. He shares His heart with his siblings and encourages them to obey their parents. His brothers are a little more adventurous and get into mischief more often than not, but it is not destructive mischief. Only that common to boys who have trouble sitting still.
Jesus has mastered many skills as a carpenter. His abba brags on His accomplishments to any who will listen. Jesus has just finished His first solo project. It is a cradle for a nearby relative. Jesus is putting the finishing touches on the carving when the family shows up.
“He is there, working away, if you want to go and have a look” Joseph says while pointing to Jesus.
Jesus looks up from His work and smiles. “I’m almost finished. I just need to outline this little bit.”
The expectant abba and ima come closer to see what Jesus is carving. It is a bird in flight. It is so realistic that it looks like it could fly right across the room. Tears come to the ima’s eyes and she covers her mouth with her hand. “How did she know” she wonders to herself. She had a songbird that lived in the tree by her window when she was a child. This bird looks just like it.
Jesus looks one last time at His work before putting His tools down. “It’s finished. Do you like it?”
“It’s beautiful” says the abba. The ima can only nod as tears of joy wet her face.
Joseph steps over to see the cradle. He is amazed at Jesus’ carving skills. “Maybe You should be a wood carver instead of a carpenter! That is…” Words fail Joseph.
Jesus smiles meekly at the compliment.
The spell is finally broken and the couple pay for the piece. They try to offer more than was quoted them, because of the beauty of it, but Jesus refuses to accept it. “We had an agreement. I can accept no more.”
As Joseph closes the shop tonight, he reminds his sons that they are starting out for Jerusalem in the morning. “We need to make sure everything is cleaned up before leaving. I don’t want to come home and have to clean before getting back to work. Besides, mice like messy places, and we DON’T want mice. It would make your ima very irritated.”
“Yes, Abba” they all chorus. Jesus, Joseph and Judas work side by side tiding up the workshop. Jesus reminds them of chores forgotten and helps them redo any that are rushed through. His abba taught Him a long time ago NOT to do His brother’s work for them.
“They need to learn to be responsible, and if You do their work, they won’t.”
All three look over the shop one last time before putting out the lamp and going into the house. Mary has their dinner waiting for them. Everyone else has already eaten and finished their chores for bed.
Jesus blesses their meal and they quickly eat. The younger boys are anxious to get to bed so that morning will come faster. Jesus is taking a little longer because He is thinking about all that this visit will hold. He has so many questions in His heart that He wants to ask this year. They are questions that He has asked His abba, but was told that He would need to ask someone who studied the scrolls instead.
Mary taps Jesus on the shoulder. “You need to finish up so I can wash the dishes.”
Jesus looks down at his plate and sees that He still has much of His dinner remaining. His cheeks color. “I’m sorry, ima. I’ll finish up quickly.”
Jesus shovels the food in His mouth as fast as He can and hands His plate to Mary. She laughs.
“You didn’t have to eat that fast. You may want to wait to lay down so Your stomach doesn’t revolt.”
Jesus nods and gives her a tight-lipped smile so none of His food falls out. Then He goes to join His brothers in bed.
Everyone is up and moving around before the sun even comes up. Mary looks over her children, smiling at their excitement. It is like this every year. They can’t wait to get there. They get to spend time with family they haven’t seen in a year, try out new foods, play games, and go before the Lord. Mary is pretty sure that the last of those activities holds less excitement than the others; except for Jesus. His face nearly shines when He goes into the Temple. But He enjoys the other activities too.
The whole family from Nazareth goes together each year. The children all move among the groups. Each night, they return to their own parents for the night. In the morning, they are running about again. It is the way of life with children.
It is four days before Passover when the family arrives. Joseph and Mary gather their children to themselves when they get to Jerusalem. These days will be spent in purification rituals and selecting the Passover lamb. As he is not a shepherd, Joseph purchases a sacrificial lamb for his family when they arrive. Mary purchases the rest of the meal they will share together. Joseph allows the boys to help select the lamb. They usually agree on the same animal, but when they don’t, he has the final say. They will watch over this lamb until the day of the sacrifice.
The day of Passover finally arrives. Joseph, not being a shepherd, doesn’t prevent him from knowing how to slaughter, skin, and cut up an animal for sacrifice. He has his family watch each year so that they learn the cost of the sacrifice. He also wants his sons to learn the process they will one day be called upon to perform. After the animal is ready, Joseph washes the entrails and organs, then surrenders his offering to the priest. The priest places it on the altar before the Lord. The family prays and waits until the priest returns with their portion.
All is ready. Joseph and his family move off to eat their meal together. Joseph leads the family through the traditional prayers and the story of the Passover. The children all recite their portions as the meal progresses. It is a solemn but joyful time. It is a time to celebrate their protection through the blood of the sacrifice and God’s hand in leading them out of Egypt.
After the meal, Joseph’s family moves off and enjoys the other things Jerusalem has to offer, allowing space for another family to take their seats at the table. The family is in Jerusalem for seven days, so there is time to do a lot of different activities. Each day they visit the Temple for at least one of the daily sacrifices.
Jesus LOVES the visits to the Temple. He feels at home here. He knows full well the story of His birth and His true Abba. Not only has He learned these at His ima and abba’s knee, but His heart testifies to it.
This visit holds special meaning for Jesus. He is nearing the age of accountability. At the age of 13, Jewish boys are accountable for their own actions and sins. Until this age, the father is accountable for the sins of his children. This is the last year that Jesus will visit the Temple as a ‘child’. He wants to be fully ready for ‘adulthood’. His burning questions HAVE to be answered. Joseph and Mary allow Him extra time with the teachers, but they still meet back together every evening. Mary has to ‘count heads’ each night to make sure her children are safe.
On the final day in Jerusalem, Jesus still has questions for the teachers. As His family readies to leave, He tells His ima that He will be in the Temple when they are ready. Mary is busy with the girls and doesn’t really hear Him. She doesn’t even notice Him run off in the direction of the Temple, and neither does anyone else in their party.
The whole group sets off for Nazareth, assuming that all are present. The children move between groups, just like they did on the journey to Jerusalem. The adults are all tired and ready to go home. A close head count wasn’t taken before leaving.
That evening, as the children all go to their parents for the night, it becomes obvious that Jesus is not among them.
“Where is your brother? Was He with you today?”
“I don’t know. I haven’t seen Him all day” Joseph answers.
“What about you?”
“Me neither” answers Judas.
Mary looks at Joseph with terror in her eyes. “We LEFT HIM in Jerusalem! How could I have not noticed! I’m a HORRIBLE ima” Mary sobs.
“You are NOT a horrible ima. I didn’t realize He wasn’t with us either. We will go back and get Him.”
“What about the other children? They are exhausted and I’m terrified we would lose on of them on the way.”
“We will ask my sister to watch over them. And we will leave for Jerusalem at first light.”
Joseph makes the arrangements for the other children to be cared for and he comforts Mary as she cries.
Jesus didn’t even notice the time slipping away until the teachers began to call it a day. He looks up and sees that the light is fading. He quickly goes to the place He saw His family last. They aren’t there. At first, He isn’t sure what to do. Then He thinks about the problem. “My ima and abba both know how much I like being here in the Temple. This is surely the first place they will look for Me. If I stay here, I will be safe. And You, My true Abba will watch over Me in the meantime” Jesus says while looking heavenward. He has peace in His spirit with this plan.
Jesus sleeps just inside the entrance to the outer courtyard, using His cloak for a blanket. It is not too cold this time of year, so He is fine. When the morning comes, He goes to the place where the teachers meet. They provide Him with a little bread and water.
Jesus spends the next two days and nights repeating this process. The teachers welcome Him each morning and look forward to His questions. He has remarkable knowledge and understanding for one so young.
Joseph and Mary arrive the second day and begin their search for Jesus. They don’t even think about looking in the Temple. That is now where most children would be. They scour the town and come up empty. Mary is frantic when night comes and they still have not found Jesus.
“What do you think has happened to Him? Did someone take Him? Is He lying hurt or dying somewhere?”
Joseph takes her by the shoulders and locks eyes with her. Remember who He is. The Lord is not going to let ANYTHING happen to Him. We will start looking again at first light. For now, we need to rest and eat something so we will have strength to continue the search.”
Mary nods at Joseph’s wisdom, but her heart still hurts. All night she goes from one catastrophe to another, wondering if Jesus might have fallen victim to one of those. She finally drifts off to sleep a few hours before daybreak.
Jesus is back in among the teachers the next morning. Still with more questions and amazing them with His understanding.
Joseph and Mary rise early and resume their search. Half the morning is gone before Mary thinks about Jesus’ love for the Temple.
“Joseph, what if He is in the Temple. You know how much He loves going there.”
“Let’s go right now. I have a feeling that you are right.”
The two hurry to the Temple and ask the priests on duty if they have seen Jesus. As Mary describes Him, the priest laughs.
“He is indeed here. He has been talking with the teachers for days. He shows up each morning and doesn’t leave until the teachers go home each night. They are right over there today” he says as he points to a group gathered near the stairs.
Joseph and Mary hurry over to the group. Rather than calling out to Jesus immediately, they listen in on the conversation for a bit. They are both stunned at Jesus intelligent questions and His understanding. After watching for about ten minutes, Mary finally breaks in on the conversation.
“Son, why have you treated us so? Behold, your father and I have been searching for you in great distress” (Luke 2:48).
Jesus looks up at them with confusion and innocence. “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” (Luke 2:49).
Jesus doesn’t understand why they didn’t come here first. Of course He would be here; where else would He be?
Mary shakes her head and beckons Him to her side. “It’s time to leave. Our family is already half-way home by now.”
Jesus bids goodbye to the teachers and they bid Him a fond farewell right back. As the three of them leave the Temple, Joseph’s voice becomes stern. “You should not have gone off like that, without telling someone.”
Jesus looks at His abba. “I told ima where I would be and to send someone when everyone was ready to go.”
Mary’s mouth falls open. “I… I…”
“Did Your ima reply to You?”
“No. She was busy with the girls.”
“You have to make certain that someone actually hears You, not just assume they do.”
“I’m sorry, Abba. I’m sorry, Ima. It won’t happen again.”
“Then no more need be said of it. Did You get all Your questions answered at least?”
Jesus’ eyes light up, remembering the experience. “I did, Abba. And I felt safe each night as I slept in the entryway to the Temple.”
The three travelers push hard to catch up with their group. They are grateful when the see them up ahead. “They must have slowed down so we could catch up” Joseph comments.
“I’m more than ready to slow down too” Mary says.
Once everyone is reunited, the other children want to hear all about Jesus’ adventure. He shares as much as He believes they can understand of the teachings, and ALL the excitement of sleeping in the doorway of the Temple. The most important thing He shares is the lesson He learned about making certain that ima or abba actually HEARS you when you speak to them. “Don’t assume they know what you are telling them just because they nod their heads. We all have to have them speak to us and acknowledge that they have heard what we are asking to do. Otherwise, YOU might get left behind somewhere” He says, then playfully moves towards them like He is going to get them.
Jesus never forgets this lesson. He remains obedient to His parents, even after He reaches the age of maturity, knowing full well that His sins are now His own.
Ten years, and two brother, later Joseph fails to wake up one morning. Mary is beside herself. She never expected to be a widow. She doesn’t know what to do.
“How will I provide for my children? What am I supposed to do now? How will I teach them the lessons them must learn? What of the boys and their training?”
Mary is so full of questions and doubt in her ability to carry on. Jesus sees His ima’s distress. Without even being asked, He gathers a linen shroud for His abba’s body. He helps his ima wash him and wrap him for burial. While His ima waits with His abba’s body, Jesus gathers several male relatives to help bring His abba to the tombs of their family.
Jesus, Joseph, and Judas help carry their abba’s body. Their youngest brothers are not old enough for the task. Mary and the rest of the children follow behind, along with the rest of the family who has gathered to mourn Joseph’s passing.
After laying Joseph to rest, Jesus takes the responsibility of caring for the family and training up His brothers. The years are not easy on this little family, but they lean into one another. Soon, Joseph and Judas are helping train Simon and James as well. Mary has a house full of skilled carpenters and loving children. She is not alone.
Jesus’ heart misses His earthly abba. He knows that he is in the arms of His heavenly Abba. That provides Him with comfort as He moves forward towards the reason He came to earth as a babe to begin with.
(to be continued)
I thought it was important to see how Jesus deals with the death of Joseph. It is a time when He has to step up and care for His earthly family. I gave Him time to train His brothers in the business of their abba. When He steps away to begin His ministry, they will be responsible for caring for the family. He will focus His whole attention of His true calling.
Father God, my heart hurts right now, thinking about Jesus and all He endured. Not only as my Savior, but as a child who grew up on this earth. As a child who lost His abba and had to become head of the family. I really don’t know when Joseph died. It had to be after Jesus’ time in the Temple. How did the family cope with his loss?
I have never faced a deep personal loss. I PRAY I am a long way from facing one even now. But I know that my parents are aging and that my husband’s mind and body are slipping. My heart hurts thinking about the day when they leave this earth.
The ONE thing that gives me comfort is KNOWING that we will be together again in Heaven. Is that how Jesus coped with the loss? Did He ever have times when the grief of that loss was like a wave washing over Him? Probably, as He was fully human AND fully God. Can You give Him a hug for me and tell Him I’m sorry for His loss? Better yet, can I give You a spiritual hug Jesus? I’m truly sorry for Your loss of Your earthly father.
The fact that You endured that loss gives me comfort that You will be beside me, understanding fully, when I finally face that kind of loss. Is that why it happened?
