-December 29, 2023-
Good morning beloved, happy Friday,
“Now so it was that after three days they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both listening to them and asking them questions. And all who heard Him were astonished at His understanding and answers.”
(Luke 2:46-47).
Jesus made quite a stir in the temple as young boy of just twelve years old. His knowledge, understanding, and wisdom was well beyond His years. He was a child prodigy. A prodigy is defined as, “a person, especially a young one, endowed with exceptional qualities or abilities.” Jesus certainly was that and a whole lot more. He was perfect God and perfect man.
Jesus’ parents, Mary and Joseph went to Jerusalem every year to celebrate Passover, which lasted eight days, and then they returned to Nazareth. They travelled with a large group of relatives and acquaintances. Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem unbeknownst to them. They went a day’s journey before realizing Jesus was missing. There is a good lesson for us not to go a day without Jesus. We need to spend time with Him in prayer and in the Word each day.
Mary and Joseph began to panic as any parents would when their child is lost or missing. They retraced their steps and found Him in the temple sitting with the teachers of the law. These teachers were very learned men, the spiritual elite, the cream of the crop. Normally young boys of twelve don’t hang out with older men. They play with kids their own age.
Jesus listened to them and asked them questions and they were astonished by his understanding and answers. He hadn’t been trained or taught by the Rabbis or scribes. They didn’t realize who He was: the Son of God. He had complete knowledge of the Scriptures. Though we can’t compare ourselves to Jesus, we should emulate Him. He hungered and thirsted to learn from a young age. Do we have this same hunger and thirst for the knowledge of God’s Word? Do we read, study, obey, and apply the Word to our lives?
Looking back on my past, I started attending church with my grandmother and two great uncles at about age thirteen. We would have our communion service first then before the main service we would have Sunday School and there was an adult Bible class going on at the same time. I didn’t go to Sunday School I attended the adult class. I learned so much of the Word at a very young age.
Nowadays, I am so encouraged by the children and young people in our church. They are learning at home, in Sunday School, and our Scripture memory class which is all ages. It is exciting to hear them reciting their verse and sharing what it means to them. They share like adults.
When Mary expressed her concern over Jesus staying behind, He made the incredible statement, “…Why did you seek Me? Did you not know I must be about My Father’s business” (Luke 2:49)? He wasn’t speaking of his earthly father Joseph, but His Heavenly Father. They didn’t understand what He meant. May we have this same desire and dedication to be about our Father’s business here on earth. There is nothing better than to serve the Lord and do His will.
Let us finish the year strong, living for the Lord, serving Him, and putting Him first in everything. May we have the hunger and thirst to learn and grow. It is never to early to start nor is it ever too late. Let us take up the challenge. Have a blessed day. Stay safe and healthy.
By spending time with Jesus, we become more like Jesus,
Dean
Dean Allen's Daily Devotional 