Christian Middle

An imagining based on Luke 8:40-56

We leave tomorrow morning at dawn. I’ve never been so excited to go to Jerusalem before, even though I’ve gone at least twelve times. I guess maybe even more, since some years we’ve gone for all three holidays. Abba tries to set a good example as the leader of our synagogue. But this time we will be celebrating the Passover with Jesus! Can you believe it?

Of course, I wouldn’t be celebrating anything this year if it weren’t for Jesus. The doctors told Abba there was no hope, but when he heard that Jesus had arrived in town, he went to see him anyway. He just knew Jesus would help me! I mean, I don’t remember any of that. One minute I was dreaming and the next this nice man was telling me to get up. I didn’t even know who he was. I just got up and the next minute everyone was hugging me. I’ve felt fine ever since.

We’ve seen Jesus a lot of times since that day. We’ve also made good friends with Johanna* and her family. I call her Auntie now. Jesus made her well the very same day as me. She’s traveling with us to Jerusalem.

She and I are special friends because Jesus saved us together. I helped her pack up yesterday. She says there’ll be a lot of work feeding all the people from Galilee coming especially to see and hear Jesus. I plan to help. She thinks something extra good is going to happen at the Passover.

A lot of people have been talking that way lately. Abba thinks Jesus is the Messiah and Israel is going to be restored when the Passover comes. I’m not sure what he means about being restored though. Except that it’s a good thing.

That’s why I’m going to write it all down. I’m so lucky the Abba has taught me. Mama says it’s because he doesn’t have a son, but I think he would have anyway. He agrees with me about words. We’ve talked about how Jesus’ words stay with you after he says them. You’re just going around with your normal life and something happens and Jesus’ words pop into your mind. Or maybe it’s Jesus’ face – the way he sees more of you than other people do. It’s a face that knows people and still loves them.

*See my post from May 7, 2015, “The Risk of Faith.”

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