Jesus in the Temple as a Boy
Devotions on Luke 2:41-52
December 28 – January 3, 2021
Monday, Jesus in the Temple as a Boy
“Now every year his parents went to Jerusalem for the festival of the Passover. 42 And when he was twelve years old, they went up as usual for the festival” (Luke 2:41).
The Johnsons fully intended to keep the vows they made at their children’s baptisms. They made sure their children attended Sunday school and involved them in the life of the congregation. The Johnsons wanted more for their children, though. They wanted their children to have close, trusting relationships with God. They had family devotions, openly discussed their personal walks of faith, and involved their children in service opportunities like serving at the local foodbank and homeless shelter. As a result two of their children continued to lead active lives of faith and were involved in local congregations. One of their children lived out her faith in a less traditional manner.
Both Mary and Joseph participated in the customs of their Jewish faith, temple worship, and the synagogue. As a result, Jesus was active in the religious traditions of the Jewish. Most of his life can be seen as an effort to reform the teachings of the temple, rather than an attempt to destroy it. There is evidence that Jesus was even trained as a rabbi.
Religious communities are an important part in our lives of faith. We need the fellowship of believers and it is necessary for us to work together in order to spread the kingdom of God. It is essential for us to be a part of such fellowships and to raise our children in the context of worship, education, fellowship and service. These are used to pass on and inspire faith within us.
Gather us together into fellowship with your children, Lord, so that we may grow in faith, and share the faith. Amen.
Tuesday, Jesus in the Temple as a Boy
“When the festival was ended and they started to return, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but his parents did not know it” (Luke 2:43).
There are “gospels” that contain accounts of Jesus’ childhood activities. He stretched lumber that he had cut too short, gave life to stones and made them into birds, and healed broken bones from accidents. While we can be skeptical about such stories, it is probable that Jesus realized he had a different calling at an early age. The fact that Jesus stayed behind after the religious festivities were over is not seen as an act of defiance, but rather an expression of his special calling.
Each of us has a special calling—a way that we express our faith and our love for God. Our vocation as pastors, lawyers, farmers, medical professionals, teachers, plumbers, law enforcement officers, short order cooks, cashiers, and the like are part of that calling. Our relationships and the people who are a part of our daily lives are a part of the calling. Included in that calling is also the places that we live, work and play. Like Jesus, it is important for us to be true to whom we have been called to be and to serve. Our calling takes precedent in our lives.
O Holy Spirit, empower us to be true to whom you have called us to be and faithful in our service. Amen.
Wednesday, Jesus in the Temple as a Boy
“After three days they found him in the temple” (Luke 2:46a).
Lamar was bitter, angry and homeless. He was angry at his inability to find a steady job and his inability to control his drinking. The fact he saw that much of life was stacked against him made his bitter. Lamar lived on the streets, catching meals from dumpsters, fast food restaurants and soup kitchens. At night he slept in various churches that had formed a ministry to the homeless. Lamar started to attend an AA meeting at one of the congregations. It was through his association with the congregational members that Lamar encountered the divine.
We can truthfully say that God is in all of God’s creation. It is possible to literally see God everywhere. The Holy Spirit, however, uses the church (with all its flaws and inadequacies) and the people of the church most frequently to touch people with God’s love and grace. Millions of people encounter God in worship at a church and through the multitude of the church’s ministries. Mary and Joseph found Jesus in the temple. That’s where we will most likely find Jesus, too.
Lord, anoint the ministries of the church so that it may be faithful to its calling and people may encounter a living Lord. Amen.
Thursday, Jesus in the Temple as a Boy
“… Sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions” (Luke 2:46b).
In the gospels, we usually see Jesus teaching or ministering to the needs of people. We observe Jesus, in this scene, listening. The Jesus who walked among us never claimed to be a know-it-all. Jesus learned from his parents. He also learned from the people in his town of Nazareth. Here we see Jesus listening to the priests and scribes in the temple and asking them questions. This was not a time to teach, but rather to grow in his knowledge, understanding and wisdom.
All of us can learn from Jesus. We need to listen. All too often we are willing to share our knowledge and our ignorance with others, rather than to listen to what others say. No matter how far along we are in our journeys of faith, there is still much we do not know. We can learn a lot, if we are quiet and listen.
Lord, in our stillness may we encounter you and know that you are God. Amen
Friday, Jesus in the Temple as a Boy
“And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers “ (Luke 2:47).
According to Luke, Jesus was a child prodigy in theology. The priests and scribes who were teaching him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. Later Jesus would use his gifts in theology to teach people and to change their lives. Through the use of his gifts, Jesus would change the world and establish God’s kingdom.
While we may not be Einsteins, Newtons, Hemmingways nor Mandelas, each of us has gifts and talents. We are invited to use the gifts that we have (and not the gifts that we don’t have) to share God’s love and grace with the people around us. Through those gifts, lives can be touched and changed and the kingdom of God can be spread.
Lord, thank you for making us who we are, with our own unique gifts and talents. Anoint the use of these talents so that they are able to accomplish the purpose you have for them. Amen.
Saturday, Jesus in the Temple as a Boy
“’Why were you searching for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house’” (Luke 2:29)?
Miguel sat in the middle of his living room surrounded by pieces of the shelving he was trying to assemble. He was frustrated. Parts didn’t fit correctly, and the shelving did not look like it was supposed to look. With no other options, Miguel picked up the instruction booklet and began to read. He soon realized that there were steps in the construction of the shelving that needed to be done in order. Following the steps, Miguel soon had the shelving built and occupying its place against the wall.
Jesus realized that our relationship with God is a priority of life. That’s why he had chosen to stay at the temple, rather than accompany Mary and Joseph in their trip back to Nazareth. Things don’t fit correctly for us if we concentrate on family, work, leisure or other aspects of life before our relationships with God. Once we attend to step one, the other pieces of our lives will begin to fit together.
Lord, help us to focus on you so that we may see and experience all of the wonders of life. Amen.
Sunday, Jesus in the Temple as a Boy
“And Jesus increased in wisdom and in years, and in divine and human favor” (Luke 2:52).
We understand the humanity of Jesus in many different ways. Some people believe that Jesus led a perfect, sinless life. He never messed his pants as a child, argued with a grade school playmate or rebelled against his parents as a teenager. Others see Jesus as a much more normal human being. He might have kept the Ten Commandments, but that still didn’t prevent him from crying (contrary to the lyrics of “Away in the Manger), or not wanting to help Joseph in the carpentry shop. Jesus struggled with his sexual urges and personal issues just like the rest of us. Still, whatever our perspective of the humanity of Jesus, Jesus was a good person. As he grew and matured, he increased in both human and divine favor.
As followers of Jesus, our reputations are important. We will never be perfect, nor will we be able to please all of the people all of the time. We can be known, though, as thoughtful, loving and kind. Our witness and ministries are enhanced by being known as people who look out for others and care about the least of those among us.
People spoke well of Jesus (when he was growing up). May they speak well of us, also. Not so we are honored, but so that God is glorified.
Holy Spirit, mold us and shape us so that we are the people you want us to be. Amen.