Journeying to Easter - Part 2Sample

Speech! Speech!

When my dearest old mate Stu celebrated his 21st birthday, we all gathered in his cleared-out garage and parked our party pies for speech time. His family, his friends, and his history all converging, ready to storm the gates of his nervous 21-year-old exterior. I had about 15 pages, just a short list really, scratching the surface of our teenage years of (mis)adventure in the suburbs. So many stories. So. Much. Material. These were the years of intense formation, big questions, foolish mistakes, great loss, and a large dose of awkward. We were slowly emerging as men, bonding over music, skateboards, slurpees, dreams, fears and faith. I embarrassed Stu, and myself, with that speech. But we’re still tight.

Luke, thank you for giving us one… just one story that Joseph and Mary had up their sleeve for the Saviour’s 21st birthday. The Gospels don’t offer us the teenage Jesus. There’s no photo album capturing the growth spurts, acne or bad haircuts. No funny anecdotes from His first solo ride after getting His donkey licence, not even a mention of that time in woodwork class when… So Luke, why this collector’s item portrait of a 12-year-old Jesus? Aside from the profound significance of the Passover – being gone three days, His wisdom among the wise, and being right at home in the Father’s house? Maybe it’s a subtle reminder that Jesus grew up. Just like you and me, and Stu. We know the baby Jesus and the risen Jesus. But along the way He was a toddler, a tween and a teen, growing into a King as His anxious parents hung on for dear life. Be like Jesus, grow up, hang onto Him for dear life.

Written by JUSTIN KENDALL