Fla
shback moments.
We all have them. Stories and movies use them to connect us with the past.
Jesus surely also had flashbacks in his life and I would like to reflect on one of those moments.
It´s Good Friday, Jesus has been arrested and after being put on trial by the Jews he is brought to the Roman governor Pontius Pilate to be questioned. Pilate questions Jesus about being a king and this is Jesus’ response: “For this I was born and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth.” (John 18: 37)
This must have been a flashback moment for Jesus. His birth; that cold stable in Bethlehem, the visit of the magi and shepherds, the flight into Egypt, the care of Mary and St. Joseph must have all passed in front of Jesus’ memory as he stands beaten and tired in front of Pilate. Jesus knows he would soon fulfill the purpose for which he came. The cross is not far off, ‘For this I was born’. Jesus must have been renewed by his own words.
This Advent as we contemplate Jesus in the manger let us love this baby Jesus, but not forget that he took on flesh and bones so he could walk with us and yes, so that he could hang on a cross for our salvation.