Read Luke 2
Highlights:
Angels declare the heavenly birth (Luke 2:9-14). Jesus presented in the Temple (2:21-24). Jesus, the plan of God to rescue mankind from eternal damnation (2:25-30). Jesus speaks (2:41-52). John prepares the way (3:1-22).
When Mary and Joseph had performed all things according to the Law of the Lord, they returned . . . to . . . Nazareth. And the Child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon Him. . . . And when He was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast (Passover). . . . after three days they found Him in the Temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions. . . . and His mother said . . .Thy father and I have sought Thee sorrowing. And He said . . . I must be about My Father's business (Luke 2:39-40,42,46,48-49). My Father's business is the focus of the first recorded words of Jesus. This reveals how the Holy Spirit guided His whole life through His devotion to His Father in heaven.
As a twelve-year-old boy in the Temple, He revealed His special relationship to the Heavenly Father. Just as His devotion to be about My (His) Father's business attracted Him to the Temple, His submission to His Heavenly Father led Him to submit to His mother Mary and to Joseph and to return to Galilee with them.
There is something awesome, beyond words to express, in the thought of Jesus as the Creator of all things submitting to earthly parents who were part of His creation. But Jesus Christ lived at home until He was thirty years old (3:23). During that time, as the custom was, Jesus — the Son of God — was a submissive Son of Mary and Joseph.
People whose lives are filled with vanity, selfish ambition, and prideful independence are always in a hurry to reject God-ordained parental authority. The prodigal son, whose only ambition was to give himself to riotous living, is an example (15:11-24).
Jesus did not have these kinds of attitudes. He did not murmur against the restraints of home. He did not insist to His parents or anyone else that He had His rights and was fully capable of making His own decisions. Instead, He was a joy to His parents. The Christian son and daughter who are living in submission to Christ will also experience the same satisfaction of living in subjection to their parents.
Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first Commandment with promise) (Eph. 6:1-2).
Thought for Today:
For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow His steps (I Pet. 2:21).
Cross References:
For Luke 2:23: See Ex. 13:2,12. Luke 2:24: See Lev. 12:8. Luke 2:32: See Is. 9:2; 42:6; 49:6. Luke 3:4-6: See Is. 40:3-5.
Word Studies:
2:7 swaddling clothes linen cloth wrapped around an infant; 2:46 doctors the rabbis who were the instructors in the Law; 3:1 tetrarch ruler of a fourth part or one of four rulers of a country or province.
Prayer Needs:
Pray for International Broadcasts in honor of Lee Rutherford's birthday • Staff: Barbara Jean Lloyd • Government Officials: Rep. Jerry Lewis (CA) and Rep. Patrick Tiberi (OH) • Country: Canada (31 million) in North America • Major languages: English and French • Religious freedom • 47% Roman Catholic; 37% Protestant; 3% Eastern Orthodox; 2% cults; 1% Jewish • Prayer Suggestion: Give thanks to the God of heaven; His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever (Ps. 136:26).
Memory Verse for the Week: