I love reading the gospels. In these four books we get to see Jesus as He reached out to people (healing, feeding, teaching). Through the testimony of the gospel writers we are witness to Jesus command over nature (calming the storm, the olive tree). In Luke, we discover some of the details of Jesus birth and early life. 

Scripture: Luke 2

"Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover. And when he was twelve years old, they went up according to custom. And when the feast was ended, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents did not know it, but supposing him to be in the group they went a day’s journey, but then they began to search for him among their relatives and acquaintances, and when they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem, searching for him. After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. And when his parents saw him, they were astonished. And his mother said to him, "Son, why have you treated us so? Behold, your father and I have been searching for you in great distress." And he said to them,  "Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?"  And they did not understand the saying that he spoke to them. And he went down with them and came to Nazareth and was submissive to them. And his mother treasured up all these things in her heart.

And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man."

Observation:

I cannot imagine what life must have been like for Mary in those early days. 

An angel tells you (a virgin!) that you've been chosen to carry the MESSIAH! What a head trip. And when the child is born, shepherds come to find him because angels told them about the birth (of your child!). Eight days later, when you take the baby to the temple to be named and circumcised, one old prophet blesses your child (declaring to all this is the Promised One) as another one tells the same thing to everyone she meets.

But to you this tiny child is simply—yours. A baby. A tiny human being given to you and your husband to love, nurture, and raise as best you can. I think Mary and Joseph (over the years as they dealt with daily life) forgot this child was different until one day he was missing. THREE DAYS of searching pass when they discover him in the temple astounding the priests with his knowledge. 

The scripture says Mary and Jospeh were amazed. Jesus' parents thought of him as their child. From the beginning, they treated him as their own, to the point (perhaps) they were shocked by the reminder that Jesus was something more.

Application:

"Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man."

I take this to mean that people liked Jesus. The people who knew him (his family, village neighbors, friends, the local Rabbi) respected him. He was "one of us".

Which was part of the point all along when you think about it.. God with us. Among US. We can trust Jesus. We know He understands all the foibles of life because even though HE was unique (tempted but never sinned), Jesus gets us. He's been there. Thirsty. Hungry. Sad. Alone. Angry. Hurt. Joyful. Tearful. Tired. Jesus knows what it's like to be loved and hated (for no good reason). Jesus (The Son) lived the human experience.

This is why we can turn to HIM. No matter what happens in our life, Jesus understands. He walks beside us through it all.

Prayer:

Thank you, Lord, as I go through this day I know YOU are with me, understand me, and can guide me through every obstacle or temptation, victory or sorrow.

What about you?

Is there any part of this chapter which is speaking directly into your life or relationship with God today?