He spoke about the destruction of the temple and we all thought he was talking about the building in Jerusalem.  He talked of things beyond our human comprehension.  He quoted scripture as if he had authored the words.  His advice for living was new to most – love your enemies – do good to those who hate you. He seemed an ordinary man with extraordinary powers, but I knew in my heart that he was much more.

All the memories of that day when I was first approached by the angel of the Lord came flooding back into my mind.  “The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.”

I didn’t understand at the time.  I had never been with a man, but I was chosen by God to be the vessel for His son – the promised Messiah.  It had to be this way so that God could  take on human flesh, become just like us only without sin and be the perfect sacrifice to take away the sin of the world.

The pieces were beginning to fall into place.  As he taught from the Mount of Olives – the final resting place for so many of our people – the power of his words were taking hold of  many hearts.  His love for them was apparent.  It was the love of God emanating from his voice.  It was God’s voice.  I now realized that the name Immanuel truly did mean, God with us.

Soon he would begin his final journey to the holy city of Jerusalem.  It was the time of the Passover.  The lamb of God was about to be led to the slaughter.  My heart cried within me.