The carpenter’s son

Though not his son

Leaves home and the sawdust

For a journey of discovery

To be dipped in the Jordan

Remaining human

As a dove descends

With divine authority.

 

Alone in the wilderness

Yet not alone

Among century-old stones

Ground to dust

Tested to the limits

Until the evil angel flees

Leaving him with the knowledge

That he is who he thought he was.

 

Back to Nazareth

Explaining it all

In prophetic language

Identifying with the past

And shaping the future

Empowered by a presence

That is his, yet not his own

And still misunderstood.

 

May 2010

 

After discussion at the Bromley Salvation Army Bible Study on 'Portraits of Jesus'.