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When we think of Jesus in reference to this time of the year we think of Him as a baby, cute and needing protection, nurturing and to be provided with gifts. The bible accounts actually concentrate on His diety, kingship and that at every step of His life He was fulfilling prophesy in fulfilling God's plan for mankind. Take the incident of Jesus in the Temple when He was about twelve. Luke 2:45-47 And when they did not find Him, they turned back to Jerusalem, seeking Him. And it happened that after three days they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both hearing them and questioning them. And all who heard Him were astonished at His understanding and answers.
The Gospel
reading above shows us another aspect of God's plan and how Jesus
even at an early age was modelling what the life of a Christian
should be like. Around the age when Jewish boys are “Barmitzahed”
Jesus was attending the Temple of His own free will and because of
His love for God. It's an example for all children because we know
that when He did this Jesus grew in favour with both God and men!
Jesus was learning from them but it's interesting to note that the bible records that “they” were amazed at His understanding and His answers. Did you notice that? To all the youth in the congregation it should be an inspiration. You can have such understanding and knowledge and revelation of God that many will be amazed by your understanding and your answers to problems. These will not just be to bible topics because God gives us answers for all questions that come into our lives. And if you want a good starting point for learning the wisdom of God then take time to read God's manual and His wisdom literature. . As an example just read a chapter of proverbs every morning before you go off to school or college and then pray for God's protection throughout your day and SEE how God will give you wisdom beyond your years and help in every situation when you listen for His advice. Our God is a good god!
Another
thing to notice is that Jesus was submissive to His parents at all
times. The scriptures tell us to “Honour our Mother and
father”, and Jesus always did. Some people without knowledge of
God think that Jesus “talked back” to His mother Mary
when He said, "Why
were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my
Father's house?"
Jesus was
not talking back. He was simply answering her question with what as a
“Child of God" he thought they would have realised. It shows
His surprise that they did not realise where He would be! If He
wasn't with some of His earthly family, what other family member would
He be hanging around with?
But to
emphasise the point that Jesus was always submissive the bible tells
us in verse 51...
Luke 2:51
And he went down with them and came to Nazareth and was submissive
to them. And his mother treasured up all these things in her heart.
Now these
are not just examples for the youth. This is for adults also. If
we were having a conversation with others and it got around to
matters of Christian living and God's word, would we be able to speak
words of wisdom so that people were amazed at our understanding and at
our answers? All of us should be dipping into our manual (the bible) every day
and after proverbs we should move on to other wisdom literature, the
letters of Paul for instsnce, like Romans and Galatians and use our prayer time to
draw close to God for His guidance and help through Holy Spirit.
Jesus died
for us so that on accepting His sacrifice we can have access to
everything that He has in His storehouse. We have been translated
from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of God's dear son.
We are already living under grace and as we
learn about Jesus and see how He acted when He was on earth we will
see and appreciate what we can do also, because Jesus said that we
would do everything that He did and greater things also, IF we only
believed.
Best wishes for Grace and The Peace of Jesus.
Attlee.
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