Read Luke 2

Highlights:

Birth of Jesus; shepherds' adoration; Simeon's and Anna's prophecies; return to Nazareth; Jesus among the doctors; ministry of John the Baptist; baptism of Jesus; genealogy of Jesus through Mary.

And it came to pass, that after three days they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions (Luke 2:46).

Now His (Jesus) parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of Passover (Luke 2:41). Each year every man in Israel must celebrate three feasts: the Feast of Passover/Unleavened Bread; the Feast of Weeks/Pentecost; and the Feast of Tabernacles (Deut. 16:16). When He was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem. . . . When they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind . . . and His (parents) . . . knew not of it (Luke 2:42-43).

In all of the preparation for returning to Nazareth, His parents, Mary and Joseph, were under the impression that He must be in the company of other boys in the caravan. Up to this time in His life, being perfect as He was, they had never had any reason to question His absolute obedience, submission, and cooperation. At evening they discovered He was not with them.

When Mary questioned Him: Why hast thou thus dealt with us? He answered: wist ye not that I must be about My Father's business? (2:48-49). I must be about My Father's business parallel with His words later in life: I must work the works of Him that sent Me (John 9:4). Jesus was always found doing His Father's will.

His devotion to being about His Father's business drew Him to the Temple, but His submission to His Father's will caused Him also to return to Nazareth, and was subject unto them (Luke 2:51). The One to whom all things are subject willingly submitted Himself to His earthly parents.

In this age of rebellion, there is a growing number of young people who do not submit to God ordained parental authority, The first Commandment with promise (Eph. 6:2). Many parents also rebel against restrictions which are placed on them on the job, at church, or in the community, setting a wrong example for their children.

We are told to: let every soul be subject unto the . . . power . . . of God (Romans 13:1-2). Whatsoever we ask, we receive of Him, because we keep His Commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight (1 John 3:22).

Thought for Today:

Talking with our Heavenly Father in prayer is vital to living a victorious Christian life.

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 Suggestion: Pray with a heart of righteousness, keeping the truth of God, and know He will hear your prayers (Is. 26:2).

Memory Verse for the Week: Psalms 139:16