Today’s
Readings: Proverbs 22:6 / Luke 2:39-40
As
we near the conclusion of the story of the first Christmas, our portion of
scripture in Luke infuses with Matthew’s details concerning Joseph, Mary and
Jesus’ escape to Egypt and their eventual return to Israel. The author makes a point to declare that “they return into Galilee, to their own city Nazareth.” (Luke 2:39 KJV) It must have been very important to God that
Jesus be raised in the familiarity of His earthly parent’s home town. To have the comfort and security of living
amongst family and friends who knew and cared for them.
From
the scarce amount of information that the canonical scriptures give us, we can come
to the conclusion that Jesus lived an ordinary childhood and experienced the
same pleasures, trials and challenges that all children do as they grow up. But verse 40 establishes some very important
details about His childhood and the way He was raised.
I
believe that this small section of our story is to be read as a tribute to
Joseph and Mary! The NKJV says that “the
Child grew and became strong in spirit, filled with wisdom; and the grace of
God was upon Him.” The God’s Word
translation ends the verse by stating that “He
gained favor from God and people.”
These statements make it clear that Jesus’ earthly parents taught Him by
precept and (probably more importantly)
by example the things of God. They did
whatever it took to establish Mary’s first born son in the understanding, trust
and love of His Father God. And this was
not accomplished at the expense of a natural education. Jesus was a well-rounded individual in
His secular and spiritual education, but what preeminently came forth in His adult
life and ministry was the firm foundation of the Word that was put into Him,
primarily by the effort of His parents.
I
think that this is one of the greatest lessons that parents, grandparents and
all relatives alike should learn to follow in this life! We have a responsibility to the children and
youth around us to be the best example of God’s love and holy living that we
can be. I must confess that this was one
of the primary reasons that I gave up having an occasional glass of wine or a
beer many years ago. As I prayed and
agonized over this, I one day came to the realization of the poor example that
I was setting for my own children as well as for the ones that I ministered to
in our church and as a soccer coach!
Many
times the church will tend to attach Jesus’ unquestioning trust in God to His
being the Son of God. But Jesus lived a
normal life as the Son of Man until the Holy Spirit came upon Him following His
baptism by John the Baptist. At that
point I don’t believe that He was suddenly endued with all spiritual wisdom and
understanding, but came to a much greater understanding of all the teaching
that His earthy parents had bestowed upon Him as He grew up under their love
and care. And you know what? It is never too late to start, especially if
this wasn’t the pattern you demonstrated when your kids were at home! I have developed a stronger relationship with
my adult children than when they were younger.
Now it is increasingly more exciting and rewarding to share the Word and
our experiences with our faith to each other as never before!
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