Good Morning!
We have been in Luke 2 several
times over the last few days … recounting the birth of Jesus. Normally, I would
go to other passages … but the text for the sermon yesterday was taken from the
following …
Luke 2:39-52 English
Standard Version (ESV)
39 And when they had performed
everything according to the Law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee,
to their own town of Nazareth. 40 And the child grew and became
strong, filled with wisdom. And the favor of God was upon him.
41 Now his parents went to
Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover. 42 And when he
was twelve years old, they went up according to custom. 43 And when the
feast was ended, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in
Jerusalem. His parents did not know it, 44 but supposing
him to be in the group they went a day's journey, but then they began to search
for him among their relatives and acquaintances, 45 and when they
did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem, searching for him. 46 After three
days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers,
listening to them and asking them questions. 47 And all who
heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. 48 And when his
parents[a] saw
him, they were astonished. And his mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated
us so? Behold, your father and I have been searching for you in great
distress.” 49 And he said to them, “Why were
you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father's
house?”[b] 50 And they
did not understand the saying that he spoke to them. 51 And he went
down with them and came to Nazareth and was submissive to them. And his
mother treasured up all these things in her heart.
52 And Jesus increased
in wisdom and in stature[c] and in favor
with God and man.
Footnotes:
Luke 2:48 Greek they
Luke 2:49 Or about
my Father's business
Luke 2:52 Or years
Scripture doesn’t give us
a whole lot of information about Jesus as a child … other than Joseph going to
Egypt to escape Herod the Great’s attempt to kill Jesus. This little glimpse is about all we have …
but it does point to several growth points:
·
Joseph and Mary
were obedient to God’s Law. Keep in mind
that, while the Law does not “save” a person, obeying the Law provides a good
foundation for successful living. Teaching our children and grandchildren to
honor God by being obedient to His directions for life is a good thing for all
of us to do.
·
Jesus revealed His
special qualities early in life. At
twelve, Jesus was still considered to be a child … yet here He was, in the
middle of rabbis, asking questions, listening to their answers … and explaining
the Truth in such a manner that the rabbis were amazed at His
understanding. Many of these same rabbis
would later become adversaries when Jesus began His ministry … but on this
occasion, they were open to hear.
·
Jesus was
submissive to His mother and father. He honored
His mother and father and went with them back to Nazareth. He was the God, made flesh … yet He was a
child who honored His mother and His father by being submissive to their authority
over Him. If we pay attention, we will recognize the pattern He set for our
children and grandchildren … be submissive to those God has placed over
us.
What was the result? Check out verse 52. He grew in wisdom … and in stature … and in
favor with God … and with man. Got it?
May God bless you this
good, good day.
Agape’
Mr. Jim
Prayer: While I am not a
twelve year-old boy anymore, dear Father, I am still Your child … and my desire
is to be more like Jesus, not only in my ways but in my attitudes towards You.
Lead me, dear Father, in Your ways of righteousness so that I might grow in
You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Scripture for today: Luke 2:39-52
No comments:
Post a Comment