Day 3 - Luke 2

It was all quiet on the comment front between last night and today. I'm guessing that everything was clear to everyone.  However, I would love to have your feedback and thoughts about what is presented, especially regarding the questions at the end.

With Christmas being only 360 days away, why not cover the Christmas account, right?

 

Without further ado, let's continue.

 

Luke 2 (find it here)

Finding out the population of the Roman empire was a huge undertaking. Israelites were instructed to return to where their family was from. This meant that Joseph and an "obviously pregnant" Mary would have to travel about 80 miles mostly on foot, which could've taken anywhere from 4-7 days. (That had to be brutal for Mary)

Let me ask you a question (don't read ahead, just honestly answer to yourself).

What do you picture when you think of a manger? It is NOT a non-padded bassinet or wooden rocker made for an infant.

....it's a trough; a place where pigs, cows and horses would eat from.

So when you hear someone say something like, "Jesus came from heaven to the pit to save us," pit is comparing earth to a trough.  Yes, the earth is a nasty place. No one has to explain that to us. But Jesus came, completely vulnerable as a baby, to do what no one else could do.  He literally gets his hands dirty.


Moving ahead, imagine being a shepherd on this night. They are guarding their flocks at night and an angel come out of nowhere to declare that Jesus, the "Savior..Messiah...Lord" (verse 11) has been born.  At the culmination of this news, a host or crowd of angels (described as the armies of heaven) chanted altogether, saying “Glory to God in highest heaven and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.” Imagine how loud and overwhelming that probably was! It makes me think of the movie 300 and how the army would chant so loud it would make you feel like an ant. Oh, let me tell you, that is nothing compared to what the shepherds saw and heard that night!


On the day he was circumcised (like John in Luke 1) he was named. His name was Jesus, a name given by God, which translates to Yahweh (the name for God that was prohibited to say or write in Jewish law) saves. This is first time this name was ever used. Even with Jesus' naming, a religious boundary is broken (and there are many more to come)!

Simeon is also living proof of someone who believes in what God said He would do. God said told Simeon that he would live long enough to see the Messiah. Not only did he get to see Jesus, but he held him in his arms!

Simeon thanks God for Jesus and then says many profound things about the baby's impact on the world. Simeon says, and yes I'm going to quote the whole thing, “This child is destined to cause many in Israel to fall, but he will be a joy to many others. He has been sent as a sign from God, but many will oppose him.  As a result, the deepest thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your very soul.” (verses 34-35)

Interesting words.

Anna, a female prophet (those aren't mentioned in Scripture that often) has a crucial role of relaying the news about the Messiah's birth to others who were also "waiting expectantly for God to rescue Jerusalem." (v. 38)

Jesus (like John, again, in Luke 1) is said to have grown up strong. However, Jesus is mentioned as being wise and having God's favor (very, very high praise for a child). This is on display when Jesus is 12-years old, a preteen.

In the process of following the caravan (hoards of people all going in the same direction), Joseph and Mary realize that Jesus is not with them. They backtracked to Jerusalem. They had to be ticked because it took them THREE DAYS to find him! My parents would've been livid!!

Jesus was among the religious leaders in the Temple.  Jesus had to have been extraordinary because kids didn't sit in conversational circles with grown men.  Kids went with the women (remember the culture of the day). But Jesus held his own; they were amazed!

Jesus responds to Mary's question with, "Didn’t you know that I must be in my Father’s house?" They didn't completely get it, but fortunately for us, we do.  This is God's Son. 


So long to most of the information we have about Jesus' childhood. Tomorrow we dive right into Jesus' baptism and the start of his ministry!


Questions:

1. Have you ever thought, "why did Jesus come to earth to save us?" Or, "why didn't God just save us from heaven?" Knowing that Jesus came in such a vulnerable and humble way (being born in a trough), how does that make you feel?

2. Recall what Simeon told Joseph and Mary about what impact Jesus would have.  What do you think the phrases “this child is destined to cause many in Israel to fall, many will oppose him," and "the deepest thoughts of many hearts will be revealed” mean or foretell?


3. Jews weren't allowed to say or write the name of God (Yahweh). Even though Jesus' name is common in our society, do you still treat that boundary-breaking name with adequate respect in your life?