Setting the scene

After Luke 3:1-22 

To introduce the prophet,

who in turn introduces

the One, the scene is set,

to place these arrivals

in the historical context

of man:

 

First, the fifteenth year of

Tiberius, emperor of Rome;

next, the Roman governor

of Judea, Pontius Pilate;

next, the tetrarchs 

of the region: Herod,

Philip, Lysanius;

next, and last,

the high priests, Annas

and Caiaphas.

 

It is a list of rulers.

the political,

the regional,

the religious.

 

It is a setting 

of the scene, but

it is also the prelude

to the prophet and

the one to be heralded,

 

a descending earthly order,

an ascending heavenly order.

 

Photograph by Elijah Ekdahl via Unsplash. Used with permission.

Some Friday Readings

 

“Why so many forms,” poem by Annie Dillard – D.S. Martin at Kingdom Poets.

 

“All People That on Earth Do Dwell,” hymn by William Kethe – Athony Esolen at Word & Song.

 

Bearing Good Fruit in Season – Lancia Smith at Cultivating a Writer’s Life.

 

Trust and Obey – poem by Megan Willome at Poetry for Life.

 

Ubi Vut Spirat – poem by Cody Ilardo at Power & Glory.