Dear Lovelies,
I recently read an interesting excerpt about children in the Bible. The author wondered about the ages of some well-known characters in the Gospel story. It was speculated that the disciple, John, and Mary, the sister of Martha, were teenagers. True or not true, it does make one wonder and maybe change perspective. Oftentimes the pictures painted in our minds are from someone’s interpretation of a story, not our own. I think about the picture of Jesus that hung in my home growing up (you know the one: long blond hair and beard, blue eyes), there is no way it is accurate, but it is the image that often comes to mind when I try to visualize Jesus.
What if we did away with our preconceived notions? Last time I checked there was no video reel of the Last Supper, no hidden recording of the resurrection, no candid photos of the parade into Jerusalem. On top of that, the Gospel accounts we have tell similar but different stories and are written from a certain author’s particular perspective and agenda. Is one gospel more accurate than another? More important than another? What about the things the gospels don’t say? “Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book” (John 20:30).
We need to open our minds (and hearts) to allow the Holy Spirit to speak and interpret scripture the way God wants us to read it. Hear it. See it. And learn from it.
Happy Day!
Traci Billman, Director of Christian Education
Last modified: April 24, 2025