Crossing the Bridge

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Today we left Buellton, CA after staying at a FANTASTIC Best Western motel with wonderful beds. I think if I've learned anything about myself on this trip, it's the importance of a good mattress and how it effects my life the following day. I had a great day today because I had a great mattress last night -- maybe.

Our Bible text today was from Luke 2:41-50. It was Passover and twelve year-old Jesus traveled with his parents to Jerusalem to the Temple. Jesus got into some conversation with the religious leaders and I'm guessing he was talking Torah and Pentateuch with them and discussing Old Testament theology. Whatever they were talking about, I'm guessing the religious leaders were impressed with his ability to talk shop with them. It occurred to me that he was talking to the same guys -- or maybe their dads -- who were the ones who would call for his execution 21 years later.

In this confluence of personalities, we see three distinct personalities. First, we see the religious leaders who seem to be anxious to talk to this "boy wonder". They must have been amazed both at his knowledge and his intimacy with the heavenly Father. Then there are the parents of Jesus. We see these people who traveled a whole day thinking their son was with them, only to discover that he was missing. As a parent, I often wonder how they could have missed him. Their only son was missing for a day and they hadn't noticed. Probably there were other relatives with them on this journey, complete with nieces and nephews and other little kids, and they just figured Jesus was hanging out with his cousins.

The third personality is Jesus. Do you suppose he understood his own destiny as he sat in the courtyard with the religious leaders? Do you suppose he could project forward in his mind to age 33 when the leaders would be sneering at him and crying out for his death sentence? Did he understand that those he spoke with would try to use his own words against him to prove that he was blasphemous? Something to think about, anyways.

We drove north on Hwy 101 today riding first through wine country in the cool of the morning and then up through fields of strawberries, broccoli, lettuce and other veggies. I called them "Salad Farms". Kind of neat to see the places where our produce is grown. Hundreds of migrant workers picking and washing heads of lettuce or strawberries and packing them into DOLE boxes right in the field and sending them to market. We had mountains to our right and to our left, but in the middle was the biggest vegetable garden I've ever seen. The hillsides were covered with brown grass. I'm guessing they are in the midst of a drought since it is early June and all looks so dry.

We rejoined with Hwy 1 near Salinas and rode up the coast on winding four lane roads until the four lane turned to two. We went forty miles without a sign of a gas station. Fortunately, I didn't need gas but our backsides were getting sore and we were relieved when we found a station just 20 miles south of San Fransisco. After we were back on the bike, we headed north and the roads became wider and turned into eight lanes as we began to see the tell-tale signs of San Francisco -- tall houses wildly painted and built close together. It was bumper to bumper traffic as we moved steadily in the direction of the Golden Gate Bridge. Grace began to become more nervous. I was freaked out by the Grand Canyon, but the Bridge was more intimidating to her. We went through a long tunnel then moved up a long entrance ramp to the bridge. It wasn't so bad for either of us since there is a wide walkway on either side. Grace sat on the back of the motorcycle taking pictures while I concentrated on the road.

Across the bridge, we continued to follow HWY 1 which took us through winding mountain roads along the shoreline until we came to the little village of Stinson Beach. We found a little Bed and Breakfast that is very unique and full of character. The house is surrounded by flowers and plants with a gate that leads to a separate building where our room was located. Cozy and comfortable. It was a great day and I give God thanks for the one I'm with and for keeping us safe through busy traffic.

Maybe we can say that Jesus' time in Jerusalem with the religious leaders was a moment that prepared him for what lay ahead. Pastors and Pastor's wives need time to rest and envision what ministry will be for them in the future. These moments away from the mainstream of life are part of the vital life-flow of ministry.

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Comments

[Craig]

Crossing Bridge
sounds like you two are having a great time. :)