Day 10
Text: Luke 2:41-47
“After three days, they found Him in the temple complex sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions…and all those who heard Him were astounded at His understanding and His answers.” (Luke 2:46-67)
As a boy in the temple, Jesus listened to those in authority over Him. I wonder if Jesus’ had questions for the teachers? I can imagine Jesus raising His hand and having many questions. And Jesus had answers that amazed all who heard Him.
We are going to have questions of God in this life. And I believe that our faith is strengthened by the process of digging deeper for the answers, and continually asking the Lord for wisdom and revelation. Every challenge we face can be answered by the Lord, through His word and through Holy Spirit making His Word alive in our hearts. I love how God challenges my heart to learn. Sometimes He is quick to answer. Still, there are other times when the answers do not come as quickly as I would like. In those times, I must lean in closer, listening for the still, small voice of the Lord while asking for deeper revelation and insight.
Day 11
Text: Luke 2:48-50
“Why were you searching for Me? He asked them. “Didn’t you know that I had to be in My Father’s house?” (Luke 2:49)
How do you think Mary felt when Jesus’ chose to stay in Jerusalem? And even when Jesus provided the answer, “I had to be in His Father’s house”, Mary still did not understand. (vs. 50)
Isn’t this how it is for us sometimes? We ask God questions, and He always answers. Yet we do not always understand the timeliness of the answer, let alone the answer itself. It may take weeks, months or even years until we fully comprehend why God answers the way He does.
When Jesus responded that He had to be in His Father’s house, I believe He was telling Mary and Joseph and He had to be with God. I can just picture Jesus saying, “If you are looking for me, you will find me spending time with my Father”.
Day 12
Luke 2:39-40, 51-52
Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and with people. (v. 52)
Jesus goes from being a boy, to manhood, after spending time in the temple and with His Father.
Jesus Grew in Wisdom.
Jesus gained practical wisdom and knowledge, such as life skills and sound judgments. He also grew in His knowledge and insight of His Father. You could say that Jesus was both deeply spiritual and yet, very practical.
Jesus Grew in Stature.
He grew physically and mentally in the vigor and stature of a man. The word tells us that there was nothing in Him that would attract us to Him. (Isaiah 53:2) He did not have a magnificent, godlike appearance. He was mostly likely ordinary.
Jesus Grew in Favor with God.
Jesus walked in the favor and grace of God. The Greek Word “charis” means that which which causes joy, pleasure, grace, gratification, and acceptance. Jesus had a beautiful relationship with His Father, and His Father delighted in Him.
Jesus Grew in Favor with Man.
What are some of the characteristics that Jesus had that would cause people to want to follow Him? He was kind, warm, knowledgeable, compassionate, trustworthy and godly. If I am to grow in favor with those around me, I must possess qualities that would cause others to want to be around me.
Jesus was God, but He was also a real man. As God, He already had favor; but as a man He had to earn the trust and respect of others.
Questions to Ponder:
- What are some of the questions you have for God right now? How can you be assured that He is listening?
- What do you do with answers from His Word that don’t seem to make sense to you?
- What image to you think people have of the Man Jesus, and why do you think He is perceived this way?
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