Perspectives on the life of Jesus
The Bystander’s View A teenage pregnancy that must surely end in an abortion. The betrayed husband who must surely seek a divorce. The appalled family, scrabbling for stones to throw. The former friends spitting as you pass. The future is written in the past. It's the law. This must lead to death. And yet it doesn’t… The pregnant girl and her husband, trekking to Bethlehem, away from the hatred. The fear and pain of that first labour. The slamming doors, the lack of help. Here in the street, a carpenter and his wife. It's inevitable. This must lead to the death of the mother and her child. And yet, they survive… A house at last, normality. But what did Simeon mean, 'a sword will pierce your side'? Wise men might know the answer, but they bring attention of the wrong kind. Herod's murderers. Jesus' friends. Gone. All his power against one small child. Only one possible result. And yet, they escape… Great holiday, b