Journey Through The Bible
     Old Testament Reading: Psalms 13-18
     New Testament Reading: Luke 2

“Why were you searching for me?” he asked them. “Didn’t you know that it was necessary for me to be in my Father’s house?” But they did not understand what he said to them. Then he went down with them and came to Nazareth and was obedient to them. His mother kept all these things in her heart. And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and with people. (Luke 2:49-52)

There is no human bond that compares to the relationship between a mother and child. It’s only been 12 short years, but what marvelous events had occurred. First the visit from the Angel Gabriel with the news of Jesus’ birth, then the trip to Bethlehem and the visit from shepherds and their wonderful story of the appearance of Angels. Then there were the prophecies of Simeon and Anna, and now, at age 12, according to Jewish tradition, Jesus becomes a man.

Although it would be late in her life, it is likely Mary shared her story directly with Dr. Luke, providing the foundation for these first two chapters as she continued to ponder these things in her heart.

This is the earliest description recorded of Jesus, and what a great example for us to follow.
 ~ Jesus increased in wisdom—He grew mentally.
 ~ Jesus increased in stature—He grew physically.
 ~ Jesus increased in favor with God—He grew spiritually.
 ~ Jesus increased in favor with people—He grew socially.
For any of us to be effective in ministry, we need to continue to grow in these 4 areas as well.

But Jesus was more than just an example for us to follow. The only recorded words of Jesus before His ministry began are, “Why were you searching for me? Didn’t you know that it was necessary for me to be in my Father’s house?” or sometimes translated “be about My Father’s business.” Either way, the idea is the same. Jesus was affirming His divine sonship and His mission to do the will of the Father.

In those words, Jesus summarized His first 30 years of life as a human. Yes, He came to die on the cross for the forgiveness of our sins. Yes, He took our sinful life and became our substitute, but He could not just come down from heaven for the weekend! Jesus could not have come from heaven on Friday to die on the cross and leave on Sunday after He rose from the tomb.

He had to live a perfect sinless life, being tempted in every way that we are, from birth through childhood and adolescence to adulthood, to become the spotless sacrificial lamb. He had to be about His Father’s business leading a sinless life so that He could take our sinful life and nail it to the cross and be a substitute for us. This doctrine of substitution is central to the Christian Faith and separates Christianity from all other world religions.

In giving us an overview of Jesus’ life from His birth through His childhood, the 2nd chapter of Luke is a vivid reminder of the work that Jesus was sent to do and all that He did for us.