Beloved, I am delighted to share with you today the theme from Luke 2:49. Indeed, we have here, especially for young people and children, the Model par excellence. For he is perfect in his relationship with his Heavenly Father, whose “affairs” come before all other considerations. Perfect also in his relations with the doctors of the Temple: indeed, infinitely wiser than all of them, he does not teach them, but listens to them and questions them, the only attitude that suits his age. Perfect still in his relations with his parents: for he was subject to them, so that it could not be supposed that He had escaped them by insubordination. And since he was aware of his sovereignty as the Son of God, he bowed to full obedience from an early age in his parents’ house.
But let’s already specify that the main object of Luke’s exposition remains the person of the Lord as the Son of man, the true and perfect Man who, the only righteous, lived among the wicked and suffered death for them. of the cross. This is why Luke is the author who gives the most details about the humanity of the Son of God: his birth, his childhood, his obedience to Mary and Joseph, and his growth in all respects. The genealogy of the Lord Jesus is traced by Luke to Adam, the first man. None of the other gospels shows us the Lord praying as often as Luke’s. We see here the expression of Christ’s perfect dependence on his God and Father. For the intention of the Holy Spirit in this gospel is summed up by these few words spoken by the centurion at the cross: “Verily this man was righteous” (Luke 23:47).
Let’s stress above all, to continue our sharing, the attendance of the infant Jesus in the Temple and his precocious interest in divine truths. Because nothing else attracted him to the illustrious city of Jerusalem visited for the first time. So we may wonder what value we attach to the presence of the Lord and his teaching. Because God has everything to accomplish his will, whether it is an emperor, a large fish, a donkey, a lion.
Also, in prophetic language, Isaiah had spoken of him in these terms: “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the rulership shall be upon his shoulder; He will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. Later, it is the teaching of Jesus that will surprise the Jews.
But when his parents saw him, they were amazed, and his mother said to him: “My child, why have you acted like this with us? Behold, your father and I were looking for you with anguish. He said to them: Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must take care of my Father’s business? But they did not understand what he was telling them. ” So “His Father’s business” occupied his heart. This is why in Jerusalem, in the house of God, he felt in perfect harmony with the development which he had reached when his parents could not realize: for they did not sufficiently understand his relationship with God, while he himself was always conscious, he the Son of God.
But what a subject of worship and gratitude for those who, enlightened by the Spirit of God, can contemplate his person and say: “It is for me that the Son of God came down from heaven.” We note that the fullness of the deity who dwelled in him bodily never prevented him from realizing the perfection of mankind; for this does not consist in greatness or in power according to men, but in absolute dependence and obedience to God. He is both a model of the grown man and a model of the child. May God grant us all to truly imitate him.
“And Jesus advanced in wisdom and in stature, and in favor with God and men.” He participated “in the blood and the flesh” (Heb 2:14), but not in our fallen nature which is sin. For mankind is the creation of God, while our evil nature results from the Fall. Then Jesus became a man in order to be able to die, and also to suffer, to be tempted in everything except sin, in order to be able to sympathize with those who after him, go through suffering, in the way which leads to glory, after having believed .
The above verses are compiled for your edification and put together for your better understanding.
# Pressure of duty:
Jr 20.9 But if I say, “I will not mention his word or speak anymore in his name,” his word is in my heart like a fire, a fire shut up in my bones. I am weary of holding it in; indeed, I cannot.
- it calls with force like a lion:
Am 3.8 The lion has roared— who will not fear? The Sovereign LORD has spoken— who can but prophesy?
- it binds the soul to its task:
Lk 12.50 But I have a baptism to undergo, and what constraint I am under until it is completed!
- it urges us to hurry:
Jn 9.6 After saying this, he spit on the ground, made some mud with the saliva, and put it on the man’s eyes.
- it makes the message imperative:
Acts 4.20 As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.”
- it resounds in a sinister way in the ears of the one who hesitates:
1 Co 9.16 For when I preach the gospel, I cannot boast, since I am compelled to preach. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!
# Zeal for Christ
Isa 59.17 He put on righteousness as his breastplate, and the helmet of salvation on his head; he put on the garments of vengeance and wrapped himself in zeal as in a cloak; Lk 2.49 “Why were you searching for me?” he asked. “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?” Jn 2.17 His disciples remembered that it is written: “Zeal for your house will consume me.” Jn 4.34 “My food,” said Jesus, “is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work; Jn 9.4 As long as it is day, we must do the works of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work; Ac 10.38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him.
# Young people: truth they should keep in mind:
- the ideal of a pure life: Ps 119.9 How can a young person stay on the path of purity? By living according to your word.
- the certainty of having to give an account: Ec 11.9 You who are young, be happy while you are young, and let your heart give you joy in the days of your youth. Follow the ways of your heart and whatever your eyes see, but know that for all these things God will bring you into judgment.
- the value of the stress: Lm 3.27 It is good for a man to bear the yoke while he is young.
- the power of personal influence: 1 Tim 4.12 Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.
- the value of seriousness: Tt 2.6-7 Similarly, encourage the young men to be self-controlled. In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness.
# Moral force is greater than physical force:
Pr 20.29 The glory of young men is their strength, gray hair the splendor of the old; 1 John 2: 13-14 I am writing to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning. I am writing to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one. 14 I write to you, dear children, because you know the Father. I write to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning. I write to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God lives in you, and you have overcome the evil one.
PRAYER OF ACCEPTANCE OF JESUS CHRIST AS LORD AND PERSONAL SAVIOR
I now invite anyone who wants to become a new creation by walking in the truth, to pray with me as follows:
Lord Jesus, I have long walked in the lusts of the world ignoring your love for humans. I acknowledge that I have sinned against you and ask forgiveness for all my sins, because today I have decided to give you my life by taking you as my Lord and personal Savior. I acknowledge that you died on the cross of Calvary and that you rose from the dead for me.
I am now saved and born again by the power of the Holy Spirit. Lead me each day to eternal life you give to all who obey your Word. Reveal to me and strengthen my heart and my faith so that your light may shine in my life right now.
Thank you, Lord Jesus, for accepting me in your divine family so that I too can contemplate the wonders of your kingdom.
I will now choose a nearby waterpoint to baptize myself by immersion, in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
To you all worship, power, and glory, now and forever and ever. Amen!
I would be glad to respond to your queries and comments if necessary, before sharing with you next week “the miraculous fishing”
May the Lord Jesus Christ bless you profusely.
David Feze, Servant of the Almighty God.