Misbehaving
Good Morning all. I am praying that this day finds you well and full of joy. Alright let's finish up chapter 2 of Luke. I hope all that is reading this is getting a blessing, because I know that I sure am. I also pray that if you read this it makes you want to dig closer to the Word and grow your relationship with the Lord. Verse 41: Every year Jesus' parents went to Jerusalem for the Festival of the Passover. (It was also called the Festival of the Unleavened Bread. This journey took the family 3 days to get there according to the Bible Atlas. This was to celebrate their exodus and no longer being slaves to the Egyptians. It says they did this every year.) When he was twelve years old, they went up the festival, according to the custom. (So since they did this every year, this would be Jesus' 12th time going.) After the festival was over, while his parents were returning home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but they were unaware of it. (Need to side note here, this was not just Jesus and his family, it was an entire caravan. So that Jesus was not right beside them was not anything different.He could have been off with friends and family,) Thinking he was in their company, they traveled for a day. Then they began looking of him among their relatives and friends.(Have you ever not been able to find your child?) When they did not find him, they went back to Jerusalem to look for him. (Okay we know this is a 3 day journey and they have already traveled back to their home for a day. Now they are traveling back another day to see if they can find him. Can you imagine what Mary must be thinking at this point?) After three days they found him the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to the them and asking them questions. (So now they are a day away and then they travel back a day and they look for Jesus for three days, if my calculations are right that is 5 days they could not find Jesus. But when they find him, he is sitting with the teachers of the Word and learning but it also says he asked them questions. Jesus already had a full knowledge of what the Word meant. But he was eager to learn more, are we just as eager to get up and learn God's Word?) Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers. (He stunned everyone. I bet you they were wondering where did this child come from and how can he understand it when I am an adult and can't get it? ) His mother said to him, Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you. (Now here's the mother in Mary demanding to know why her child disobeyed.) Why were you searching for me? he asked. Didn't you know I had to be in my Father's house? (Jesus said he HAD to be in his Father's house. His spirit longed to be there with the Father. And he didn't understand why his parents were mad. Even for the right reasons Jesus had his parents on mission. It also goes to show us that Jesus went through everything we go through. He disobeyed and his parents got mad.) But they did not understand what he was saying to them. (Do you ever feel like you don't understand what God is saying to you? Jesus wasn't really lost, he was right where he was supposed to be- his Father's house. Do we run to the Father's house just to sit and learn from him?) Then he went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. (Jesus learned. The Bible even states he was obedient. Are we obedient when God teaches us a lesson?) But his mother treasured all these things in her heart. ( I think Mary's heart knew what her son came to do and she was keeping all these things hidden so she always could exclaim that Jesus always wanted to be in the Father's house.) And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man. (Jesus grew in wisdom, are we growing in wisdom? Notice he grew in favor with God first and then man. Are you seeking God's favor first? Have a blessed day and will see, write tomorrow.