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1 John 1:1-2 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched – this we proclaim concerning the Word of life. 2 The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us.
SINCE the time Jesus lived, died, rose and ascended, many loud voices have cried out to deny Jesus. Mockers have called Christianity a lie. In mankind’s sad sin nature, our basic desire is to deny God, who loves us sacrificially and eternally. John’s life and ministry certainly confronted people in the culture and even in the church who said, “I don’t believe Jesus. He’s a fable, a myth, an idea created to accuse mankind. How do we respond to such sin-stained hearts who continue to confront our faith? John shows us how. He testifies to his personal relationship with Jesus. John plainly preaches he experienced Jesus first in the total human experience. He touched Jesus. He heard Jesus speak. He saw Jesus with his own eyes. Then he testifies to his spiritual relationship with Jesus. Jesus’ words are Life. Jesus is the Word come to life (as he also wrote in John 1). With wonder and joy, John testifies he and others have seen the life appear. Then he preaches the true power of Jesus: “We proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us.” John assures us Jesus was a real man who walked the earth! Then he confirms Jesus is the eternal Word of God is everlasting Life. He preaches with confidence because he is an eyewitness to Jesus’ resurrection reality. What is your testimony? Are you testifying how you have experienced Jesus? Ture, you haven’t physically walked and talked with him. You haven’t seen him with your own eyes. But in the Spirit, believing in Jesus, you must walk with your true risen Lord. Living in his Life, you will experience the touch of his power. You will see others through his eyes of love, forgiveness and truth. Knowing Jesus personally, you will tell others. The world’s doubters cannot deny your true testimony, “I have seen Jesus!” Life Thought: Your testimony must be evidence you have personally seen Jesus. Luke 2:51-52 Then he went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. But his mother treasured all these things in her heart. 52 And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.
HOW did Mary respond to Jesus’ presence in the temple? What did she think about his statement, “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?” He has displayed unusual wisdom before the teachers and others in the temple. The boy Jesus was beginning to reveal God’s wisdom to the world. What is a mother to think of such a son? We find as we did at Jesus’ birth in Luke 2:19 that Mary “treasured all these things in her heart.” At that time and here at the temple 12 years later, Mary came face-to-face with the reality that Jesus was no ordinary person. She had been told he is the long-awaited Messiah. Luke 1:33 “and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end.” Simeon’s prophecies came to her at Jesus’ circumcision: Luke 2:34 Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against.” She had also been told Jesus’ life would also bring extreme grief to her soul. Luke 2:35b “And a sword will pierce your own soul too.” Now here at the Passover Feast, Jesus has proclaimed the temple, the Jews’ center point of worship in Jerusalem as “my Father’s house.” In all these pronouncements, God revealed himself to Mary. She is hearing God’s words of truth, purpose and prophecy for Jesus and her own life. “Pondering these things”, in other words, stopping to seriously consider what she had heard, Mary likely wondered, “How do I fit into this? What will God have me do? How will I be able to understand all I have heard and seen? Can I fully understand who Jesus is? What is going to happen? Can I fully trust God’s hand is on him, on me and on his people?” These are questions for all of us, aren’t they? As we hear God’s words of truth, purpose and prophecy each day, we must stop to treasure them in our mind, heart and soul. Through his Bible, the Almighty God speaks, revealing himself to us. Then come the moments of revelation when we meet him face-to-face. You know those moments, don’t you? They happen when we must truly lay down all we know and move ahead in total trust, confessing, “I follow Jesus.” Sadly, too many of us refuse to take that step. If, though, we say, “I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of Heaven and earth.” we cannot stay put when Jesus says, “Come.” Indeed, we must hold our Creator’s revelation to us as his priceless, eternal favor over our lives. Jesus grew in wisdom, obeying his parents, honoring God’s commands and preparing for God’s will to be done on earth as it is in Heaven. Mary was growing in wisdom, also, to prepare for her ultimate purpose, which was to testify to these things you now read. We must grow in wisdom, too. God’s purpose for us all is to testify of his wisdom and favor upon us. Prayer: Thank you, Father, for revealing who you are to me. I pray I ponder and treasure your words to faithfully follow you. In Jesus’ name, amen. Luke 2:47-50 Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers. 48 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.” 49 “Why were you searching for me?” he asked. “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?” 50 But they did not understand what he was saying to them.
WITH all the evidence of Jesus’ conception, birth and purpose, would it not be logical for Joseph and Mary to go directly to the temple to get their son? Is it possible they looked upon the past events now 12 years distant as dim images of God’s promises? Maybe in seeing Jesus’ humanity his earthly parents had found it difficult to remember that Jesus is God’s Son. This holy relationship would be a challenge for the Jews as our Lord ministered some 20 years later. People doubted his authority and miraculous powers because of his relationship to Mary and Joseph. See, for example, John 6:42 They said, “Is this not Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How can he now say, ‘I came down from heaven’?” Yes, this is one of the great debates. Is Jesus of Nazareth, son of Joseph and Mary, the Son of God? Some who say they belong to Jesus’ church doubt and deny it. Bible detractors deny it. Mankind’s sin nature is to doubt God’s power and presence, even when he offers one life-transforming miracle after another. But at his early age, Jesus clearly says who he is. “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?” is our Lord’s first recorded announcement that God is his Father. Jews in those days would say “our Father”. It was near blasphemy to announce the “I AM” eternal God as “my Father”. Jesus, though, did this constantly throughout his ministry. The gospels record Jesus’ reference to his very intimate and personal relationship with his Father in Heaven. God, the Son, has come to show God, the Father, in the power of God, the Holy Spirit, to his people and the world. The Holy Trinity calls his own into his heavenly House. His will is that you will say, “My Father” as you dwell with him in the new Heaven and earth. John 14:2 In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. Believe in Jesus, the Son. Live with God, the Father, forever. Prayer: My Father in Heaven, thank you for sending Jesus to make it possible for his Father in Heaven to also become my Father in Heaven. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen. Luke 2:43-46 After the Feast was over, while his parents were returning home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but they were unaware of it. 44 Thinking he was in their company, they traveled on for a day. Then they began looking for him among their relatives and friends. 45 When they did not find him, they went back to Jerusalem to look for him. 46 After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions.
FROM our 21st-century view in America (I’m not sure how you in other countries would find this.), we would find Joseph and Mary guilty of negligence regarding their son. In the three days Jesus was absent from his parents, we can assume Mary and Joseph traveled one day from Jerusalem, discovered him missing, traveled one day back and found him on the third day. How could they travel for a day and not know he was absent? Is this some episode of “Home Alone”? To gain an accurate understanding of the Bible, we must learn about the culture of the event, or narrative, we are studying. People then often traveled in caravans for safety from robbers. A caravan was a traveling community. Children of various families could easily mingle together. Mary and Joseph would assume their 12-year-old son was with friends. Jesus’ age is also important to consider for that culture. Twelve-year-old boys, believe it or not, were on the edge of adulthood. They were expected to assume much responsibility. Likely, Jesus was given free rein to go about his own business in the city. It was also common for many of the brightest boys to be in training for the understanding of the Torah – the Law of Moses – and the prophets’ teachings. Jesus was probably not the only boy at the temple to ask questions and to learn. Surely our Lord was coming into the age where he fully understood his identity and his purpose. He is absorbed with the teachings of the Word because he is the Living Word. Luke records this event to help us understand a pivotal moment in Jesus’ life as a human. He was faithful to go with his earthly parents to the feast. He was also faithful to attend to his heavenly Father’s business in the temple. We must live in such a way as our Lord demonstrated here. Be faithful to family matters. Be faithful to the Lord’s matters. If you are, your children, your parents, your friends and your church will know where to find you. Prayer: Thank you, Jesus, you are where I can find you. Amen. Luke 2:41-42 Every year Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem for the Feast of the Passover. 42 When he was twelve years old, they went up to the Feast, according to the custom.
WE have seen in previous lessons how Mary and Joseph were faithful to remember God’s law. Luke 2:20-24 records that they took their newborn son Jesus to the priest for circumcision and Mary’s post-pregnancy cleansing ritual. This passage further affirms this couple is faithful and righteous continue to remember and obey the Lord’s commands. Each year they attended the Feast of Passover. This was the annual time at God’s command to remember God’s loving, gracious and powerful work to free the Jews from Egypt’s slavery and idol worship. How fundamental it is to purposefully remember God’s freeing grace over our lives. I think most of us have been in a time in our lives when we didn’t worship regularly. Maybe we thought it was good enough to go to church or to take communion when we “felt” like it. But nowhere in Scripture does God say, “Worship me however and whenever you feel like it.” But that is essentially what happened in the Jews’ history. The nation Israel, home to the Ten Tribes who left Judah, completely forgot God. Ultimately, God destroyed this unbelieving people. Judah, too, beginning with Solomon’s sins to worship idols, had many kings who forgot God. Sadly, the “church” – God’s chosen people – forgot God. You could say the church was empty of true faith and worship. They locked out God. But God remained faithful to his eternal promise. He raised up King Hezekiah on Judah’s throne. Hezekiah was faithful to God. He knew why the nation was in great trouble. Hear his words from 2 Chronicles 29:4 “Listen to me, Levites! Consecrate yourselves now and consecrate the temple of the Lord, the God of your fathers. Remove all defilement from the sanctuary. 6 Our fathers were unfaithful; they did evil in the eyes of the Lord our God and forsook him. They turned their faces away from the Lord’s dwelling place and turned their backs on him…8 Therefore, the anger of the Lord has fallen on Judah and Jerusalem; he has made them an object of dread and horror and scorn, as you can see with your own eyes.” Hezekiah re-established the Passover Feast and other festivals God had commanded to remember the Lord’s salvation. Peace reigned during Hezekiah’s reign. God blessed his obedient nation. But sadly, future kings again forgot God. He ultimately judged Judah into exile. Dads and moms, you have a responsibility. As leaders of your household, you are to remember God. Tell your children of his commands and of his grace. Tell them why they need a Savior and teach them how Jesus saves. Remember Jesus’ command to remember: Luke 22:19 And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.” 20 In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.” How is it possible to not remember such great love? Prayer: Fill my mind, Lord, to remember each day the life that cost you all; yet, you so freely offer to me. I pray I remember to tell others of your great love. In Jesus’ name, amen. Luke 2:36-40 There was also a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, 37 and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. 38 Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem. 39 When Joseph and Mary had done everything required by the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee to their own town of Nazareth. 40 And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon him.
AS we conclude Luke’s account of Jesus’ birth, here is one thought I ‘d like to leave with you. You can live the same kind of faith life that Anna lived. Surely, she grieved her husband’s death. But she went to the Lord’s temple, and he made his home in her heart. She found his peace and proclaimed his Word to all who came to the temple. No, God doesn’t expect everyone to spend a lifetime in ministry to pray and fast each day. That was Anna’s calling. But he does call his own to be faithful to know him, love him, follow him, and offer his saving comfort to others. How does this happen? You begin with a faithful pursuit to know God’s Word. As you seek God, pray for the Spirit’s power for wisdom and understanding. In faith, you will come to know and believe God through his Word and good teachers. In this greater knowledge, you will more personally experience God’s real presence in your life. You will more faithfully walk in step with his will. In faith, then, you will be more purposeful to follow God to the place(s) he is pointing you to go. Faithful to be in God’s will, you will see how the Spirit is faithful to you. He will protect you in the Father’s eternal care. He will help you see what is right. In the Bible’s promise, the Lord will shepherd you to “lie down in green pastures”. In response, “surely goodness and love will follow (you) all the days of (your) life, and (you) will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” (from Psalm 23) As you consider this new year, pray the Spirit will reveal new and wonderful ways you can live more lovingly with the Holy God. Prayer: Thank you, Holy Spirit, for empowering my life to know and to love God. I pray I follow you all the days of my life. In Jesus’ name, amen. Luke 2:33-35 The child’s father and mother marveled at what was said about him. 34 Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, 35 so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.”
IN the midst of this joyous moment for Simeon, he prophesied a summary of Jesus’ transforming ministry. Jesus will cause change. As he declared God’s truth on earth, many – even his own people – would reject him. Their opposing words would reveal sin-chained hearts and pride-stained minds. People will fall into condemnation because of Jesus affirmed the truth. Many, too, will rise out of sin into salvation. Jesus is God come to earth. God always makes a difference. During Jesus’ lifetime, thousands upon thousands of people were changed through his miracles. Jesus fed thousands. He healed the sick. He forgave the repentant sinners. On the cross, Jesus exchanged his holiness for our sin. Since the cross, the Holy Spirit has changed millions of souls to eternal life because Jesus, the Savior, has come. Countless people have new hearts of faith to live in God’s eternal heaven. Each new heart has a personal experience of change through Jesus Christ. Luke, for example, describes such personal change through the account Mary’s and Joseph’s lives. We have witnessed how they faithfully responded to God’s life-changing call. We can turn to Jesus’ death and his ascension in John’s gospel and Luke’s second book, Acts, to see, too, that Mary remained faithful to Jesus. Her grief-pierced soul became a joyful praise as she witnessed Jesus’ persecution, death, resurrection and ascension: John 19:25 Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. And Acts 1:14 They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers. As you hear the gospel, whether it is for the first time or the ten thousandth time, I pray the good news has pierced your sin-dead heart. My great hope for all is Romans 10:8 “The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,” that is, the word of faith we are proclaiming: 9 That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. May it be that Jesus has healed your heart into a living faith. Prayer: You are the Resurrection and the Life, Jesus. Change my life to fully receive you. Amen. |
AuthorBob James Archives
January 2025
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