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(Matthew 4:12-13)

Jesus made his home in Capernaum.

His mother stayed in Nazareth,

along with his sisters and brothers,

who talked in murmurs

about their eccentric older brother.

The girls were married,

most of the boys too,

with children of their own.

Family gatherings had been good,

times of fun and celebration,

with Jesus everybody’s favourite uncle.

At thirty he should have taken a wife

and be thinking about his own children.

Perhaps that was his intent,

but why not Nazareth?

Surprised, bewildered,

and somewhat hurt by his departure,

the family held a crisis meeting

and agreed that a delegation

should go to Capernaum

to persuade him to return home.

“It’s good to see you,”

he whispered as he embraced each one.

“Yes, I will be staying.

I do miss you,

but no, I’m not lonely,” he said,

as he introduced his new friends.

They wept, spoke of his mother’s tears,

and pressed him for further explanation.

“It was time,” was all he offered.

© 2005 Ken Rookes