Not Enemies, but Neighbours

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’

But: Who said that? Originally?

January Cross Buns

I snapped a photo on 2nd January 2021 at the supermarket.

Not so unusual; I imagine many, most, or all, supermarkets had the equivalent.

Some people I know think it is too early for these buns. The Christmas season was still running! The buns are traditionally known as "Hot Cross Buns". (Nice to imagine them coming directly from the local bakery, straight from the cooking oven.)

However - shops have to do the best they can to support their sales. Probably this season that is even more so, with all the distortions of the COVID-19 pandemic. We need the commercial worlds to continue. Commercial decisions are just that.

Moreover, there is another thought. The "Cross Bun" is a fruit bun with an added cross shape on top. The cross is added as part of the baking process. The cross may cause someone to think of the crucifixion of Jesus. Is that not appropriate in the season? At any season?

Do cross buns (hot or cold) stimulate reflection? Could be a gain there. Why did Jesus come the first time?

Jesus' execution (cross) is a topic I have considered previously...

https://www.jesussaviour4unme.com/2018/05/crosses.html

https://www.jesussaviour4unme.com/2019/03/messiah-crucified.html

https://www.jesussaviour4unme.com/2019/03/died.html

 

Jesus, Boy and Man

Jesus evidently grew up in Nazareth of Galilee and made family Jerusalem visits.

Some is reliably known about Jesus in his growing years.

During those years the Romans were the dominant power; many had preceded Rome. (For example, Assyrians, Babylonians, Persians, and then Greeks, were followed by the Maccabees. Parthia was a major power from the east.) In 6 AD 4 BCE nearby Sepphoris reportedly took part in a revolt against Rome and paid in total annihilation (so Josephus, re "Varus Revolt"*). Under Herod Antipas that city was his capital and a prominent Roman city. Jesus (and his people and neighbours) must have been all too fully aware of the local happenings.