Luke 2:47–52

Luke 2:47-52 

English Standard Version 

  I think of Joseph and Mary, who heard what Jesus had to say and did not understand what he spoke to them.  How many people reacted to Jesus in that same way?  They heard his words... but they didn't grasp the importance of them, the weight of them, the impact of them?  

  How many of us are like that?  We read the words of Jesus, and we understand the surface level meaning, but do we grasp the full impact, the full weight, the meaning they're intended to have in our lives?  CS Lewis said he didn't worry about the sayings of Jesus that he didn't understand, he worried about the sayings of Jesus that he did understand, because they were the ones demanding change from him, asking much of him.  I do the same thing -- I skim over some of the harder teachings, because I don't want to change.  I don't always like change.

  So let us let the words and teachings of Jesus sink in as we dive deeper into the Gospels.  May we let the challenging teachings of Jesus sit in our hearts, treasuring them up, and seeing where God is calling us.

Luke 2:41–46

Luke 2:41-46 

English Standard Version 

  For three frantic days, Mary and Joseph are running around Jerusalem, searching for Jesus.  

  All the while, he's in the temple, in his father's house, asking questions of the teachers gathered around him, who must have been amazed at this extraordinary child in their midst who grasps so much truth.  All he wanted was to dwell in the temple and speak of the things of God.

  What draws you and your heart into the temple, into the house of God, that you might dwell on God's love for you?  We all have journeys and things that must be done, but when we have free time, do we run to God's house to think on God's love for us?  I heard someone say once that if you want to know what someone truly loves, watch how they spend their free time.  I think about that a lot.  Do my choices for free time reflect my love for God?  Am I leading my heart closer to God?  Do I look for ways to sit and listen to people teach about God?  Or do I simply fill my time with distractions?

Luke 2:39–40

Luke 2:39-40 

English Standard Version 

  Jesus grew up in a small town, an ordinary place, and much of his childhood was ordinary.  He was extraordinary, filled with wisdom, but he was immersed in daily village life.  

  When Jesus comes to earth, he dwells among us, as John's Gospel tells us.  He moved into the neighborhood.  He's not at a distance, in a palace, unable to relate.  He is in the village.  He knows our history.  He knows what it is like to struggle.  He knows the reality of poverty.  He knows all the heartbreaks and joys of life that come with living in community.  

  So when we pray, we can pray to someone who knows the path we walk.  He can relate.  He gets it.  He knows your sorrows and hopes and expectations and struggles.  Jesus cares enough to enter life in such a way that he'll be able to relate to us, thanks be to God.

Luke 2:36–38

Luke 2:36-38 

English Standard Version 

  Anna's story is an amazing one.  She's 84 years old, and I read this as her being a widow for most of her life.  She's waiting on the Messiah, but she doesn't wait idly.  She worships while she waits.  

  There's a lesson here for all of us.  We spend a lot of time waiting -- sometimes we're waiting in line, other times we're waiting for a season of life to pass, or maybe we're waiting on someone.  We wait a lot.  How do we fill the time?  In most waiting rooms, everyone has their head in an electronic device, and that will fill the time... but what if you found a way to worship while you wait?  There are plenty of ways to do it.  There are apps and podcasts that will help you pray or teach you about Scripture or provide sermons.  There are pocket Bibles you could take with you.  Or you can just sit and contemplate the beauty or grandeur of God.  If you're waiting for a season, you can find ways to worship throughout your day, to mix it into everything you're doing and set time aside for it.  

  While we wait, may we be mindful of God and how God yearns to draw closer to us.