Luke 2:40–52—The Jewish rabbis were astounded by the teaching of this young Boy. How could such a One expound the Scriptures as He did? The antiphon from the Introit proclaims it well: The Word became flesh and dwelt among us. The Word made flesh expounded the written Word to these great teachers. We have not only the written Word (Old Testament) that they had, but we also have the benefit of the Holy Gospels, the record of the words and the deeds of the Incarnate Word. Let us never take God’s Word for granted, but diligently ‘read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest’ it, so that ‘by patience and comfort of [God’s] holy Word, we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life.
Jesus makes a return trip. To Jerusalem. To the temple. To listen to the scribes and the Elders. And to ask questions. This is His habit. This is His method of operation. That is His MO, His Modus operandi. His profile. There is nothing strange or odd in Jesus’ behavior. We should not be surprised.
There are 41 events in the Gospels where the words amazed and astonished are used to describe people’s reaction to Jesus; where the people were either amazed or astonished in meetings Jesus. Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers.
This is the only boyhood story about Jesus. In this snapshot of Jesus’ life we hear how the scribes, the teachers and other the people present were AMAZED at his understanding of scripture. When his parents saw him, they were astonished. His mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you.”
According to Luke, the boy Jesus ends up in the temple instead of heading home with his family after the Passover. When do parents start seriously thinking about getting their child a cell phone? At around the age of twelve. Because at the age of twelve, thirteen and fourteen kids begin hanging out together. Anyone who has lived with a twelve- year- old can related to this story. It could have happened today just as it did two thousand years ago.
Mary and Joseph assumed Jesus was with his friends. Thinking he was in their company, they traveled on for a day. Then they began looking for him among their relatives and friends. When they did not find him, they went back to Jerusalem to look for him. (Vv.44-45)What they found was a pattern of growth that is necessary for us today.
Today marks the beginning of a New Year. Many make New Year’s resolutions. Today’s reading makes a perfect resolution for us as a Friedheim family. Make this resolve…
1. That we might be regular in our worship attendance. “They found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teacher both listening to them and asking them questions.” – Luke 2:46
2. That we might grow.
Collect for the Feast of the
Circumcision and Name of Jesus (1 January): Lord God, You made Your beloved Son, our
Savior, subject to the Law and caused Him to shed His blood on our behalf. Grant
us the true circumcision of the Spirit that our hearts may be made pure from
all sins; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and rules with You and the
Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.[1]
[1] Collect for the Feast of the Circumcision and Name of Jesus, Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis
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