Welcome back, I hope you enjoyed yesterdays reading. Today we will be continuing in Luke, Chapter 2. The Birth of Jesus. The introduction, is fit for this time of the year, We all know the Christmas Story, Mary and Joesph had to go to Bethlehem for a census and Mary gave birth to her firstborn son, Jesus. Since we all know this story so well I am going to move onto the next, which is Jesus begin presented in the Temple.
On the Eight day, it was time to circumcise Jesus, So Mary and Joesph took Jesus to the Temple, there at the Temple they were informed by two people, That their son would do great works. First was a man named, Simeon, The Bible states that he had been revealed to him that he would not die before he saw the Lord's Christ. Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts, He took Jesus into his arms and said: "Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation which you have prepared in the sight of all people. A light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel. " (Luke 2:29-32)
Ok lets think about this, So you just have your child, you take him to Church 8 days later, and a old and wise man comes into Church and picks up your child and tells you he is a the Lord's salvation, and He is going to save the world. Umm, ok, If I some one told me that when Troy or Braiden was born, I would be freaking out, but no, Mary and Joesph are marveled at what is send about there son. Marveled? Marveled? I think that may be a understatement. Although, from the get go they have been told that he is the son of God, so maybe that has something to do with how they reacted, but I try to put myself in place of Joesph, I would be scared to death, or I would be so excited jumping up and down. Maybe Luke did not want to take up 30 pages with how the parents felt, but I think he could of used a better word choice than marveled. Moving on.
The next time we hear about Jesus' childhood from Luke is in verse 41. Every year they went to Temple to celebrate Passover, one year was different. Jesus is now 12 years old, and they go to celebrate, and when they are leaving, Jesus stays at the temple without his parents knowing. A full day later, they realize that Jesus is no longer with them and they return to the Temple. 3 days later, they get back to the Temple to find their son, a 12 year old, sitting among older men talking and asking questions. Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding.
I have been to discussions with my Dad at younger ages like that, and I can think of how I felt. I was bored to tears, I did not understand half of the things they where talking about. But yet, Jesus is holding conversations with men in the Temple, and not your average 12 year old conversations, no the Bible says everyone was amazed at his understanding. Meaning he was holding amazing conversations and asking questions that made people turn heads and listen themselves. That is pretty amazing. I have conversations with my 3 year old sometimes where I'm like, "Where did you learn that?"
Mary and Joesph, finally got back to the Temple 3 days later, and asked Jesus, why he did that to them, they were worried sick, and all he had to say was "Why where you searching for me?" "Didn't you know I had to be in my Father's house?"
Take a second and read that again. Now think about this, You are in Walmart, and your child runs off to the toy section without you knowing. If that has ever happened to you, you know that first feeling that hits you like a Mac Truck. Image, not begin able to find your child for three days. Ok so know you know how Mary and Joesph felt, then put in his remark to them asking why he did it. Think of your child saying, "Well why where you searching all over, you should of know I would be with the Toys." Yeah O.K. My son would be in a world of trouble. A world. That just sounds like a smart remark to me, but there is nothing to support that his parents where upset, What it does say is that Mary treasured all of these things in her heart.
What do you think that means? She treasured all of these things in her heart. Leave your comments below. :)
God Bless,
Eric
I think it means that she didn't understand what was happening, but she knew it was important. She recognized that this had meaning, though she would not find out just what meaning until later.
ReplyDeleteBut as a mother, I think it would be very hard to imagine my child having a responsibility other than what I give him. For Jesus to say that there was no need to look for Him, as He was doing His Father's work, even knowing this to be true, is hard for a mother to swallow. It is our instinct to have eyes on our children 24/7. Then after this almost paralyzing fear of Him being missing, to have the Child come back with "why? what else do you think I'm doing?" is a reminder of how small and mortal we are.