His Father's Son (Luke 2:41-52)

Every year Jesus' parents went to Jerusalem for the Festival of the Passover. When he was twelve years old, they went up to the festival, according to the custom. After the festival was over, while his parents were returning home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but they were unaware of it. (Luke 2:41-43 NIV)

Poor Joseph and Mary.  They get a bad rap for leaving their pre-teen son behind while travelling with a group.  Maybe after the movie "Home Alone" came out, us "perfect parents" learned to give them some slack.  None of us are perfect.  Joseph and Mary were just like us.

Thinking he was in their company, they traveled on for a day. Then they began looking for him among their relatives and friends. When they did not find him, they went back to Jerusalem to look for him. After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers. (Luke 2:44-47 NIV)

You may wonder why a story like this is included in Scripture.  Why would Luke take the time to talk about Joseph and Mary's mistake in raising their son?  It doesn't take long, though, before we find at least one viable answer.

When they found him, Jesus was hanging out in the temple courts.  He was listening to the teachers and asking them questions.  They were amazed at what he already knew at the age of twelve.  His questions and his answers gave him away.

Once again this is important to finding the Savior/Messiah.  One of our prophecies told us that he would barely be weaned off his mother's milk and already he would know the difference between right and wrong.  Holiness would be a hallmark of the Savior/Messiah.  He would know what it looked like to walk together with God.

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." "Why were you searching for me?" he asked. "Didn't you know I had to be in my Father's house?" But they did not understand what he was saying to them. (Luke 2:48-50 NIV)

His relationship with God, like a son with a father, was also a trait to be found in the Savior/Messiah.  He would have such a close relationship with God that he would not just know right from wrong, the Savior/Messiah would seem to know even more than "regular" teachers.  Jesus was well on his way to this kind of knowledge even before his teenage years.

Then he went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. But his mother treasured all these things in her heart. And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man. (Luke 2:51-52 NIV)

Finally, the Savior/Messiah wouldn't just know right from wrong or have special insight, he would follow what is right and reject what is wrong as well.  In fact, the Savior/Messiah would live his whole life without sin.  That doesn't mean he would live without temptation.  He would just choose to do what is right in all circumstances.  He would perfectly walk together with God.

What about you?  Do you know right from wrong?  Do you work at growing in wisdom and stature throughout your life?  Do you choose to do right and reject what is wrong?  Do you desire to be Christ-like?

Searching for Jesus (Matthew 2:1-23)

After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, "Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him." When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. When he had called together all the people's chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Messiah was to be born. "In Bethlehem in Judea," they replied, "for this is what the prophet has written: "'But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.'" Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, "Go and search carefully for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him." After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. (Matthew 2:1-9 NIV)

The Magi were not Israelite believers.  This is important because the Savior/Messiah was going to be a blessing to "all nations" just as it was promised to Abraham.  They were simply star-observers.  Because they studied the stars, they recognized when a new one appeared in the sky and they followed it.  We don't know how they knew the star signified "one who has been born king of the Jews," but they did.  Their journey took them to Jesus.

When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route. (Matthew 2:10-12 NIV)

While they did not believe God before, they believed Him now.  Worship and adoration was given to young Jesus.  They brought gifts to him as well.  God began reaching out to all nations even at his birth.  God really does want everyone to walk together with Him.  God even spoke to the non-Israelite Magi in a dream.  He warned them not to go back to Herod and, once again, they followed these instructions.

When they had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. "Get up," he said, "take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him." So he got up, took the child and his mother during the night and left for Egypt, where he stayed until the death of Herod. And so was fulfilled what the Lord had said through the prophet: "Out of Egypt I called my son." (Matthew 2:13-15 NIV)

Once again, events completely out of this child's control moved him to another country.  Once again, this movement fulfilled another prophecy about the Savior/Messiah.  Born in Bethlehem, called out of Egypt, and being a light in Galilee - Jesus fulfilled them all.  These geographic clues may not have made sense before the birth of Jesus, but they made perfect sense now.  Jesus is the one.

When Herod realized that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was furious, and he gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had learned from the Magi. Then what was said through the prophet Jeremiah was fulfilled: "A voice is heard in Ramah, weeping and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted, because they are no more." (Matthew 2:16-18 NIV)

Even Herod's temper-tantrum, costing the lives of all boys two years old and younger, fulfilled a prophecy about the Savior/Messiah.  Remember, prophecies come true because God sees into the future, not because He makes it all happen.  His plan allows us to choose whether we will walk with Him or not.  Herod obviously did not choose to walk with Him.

After Herod died, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt and said, "Get up, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who were trying to take the child's life are dead." So he got up, took the child and his mother and went to the land of Israel. But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning in Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. Having been warned in a dream, he withdrew to the district of Galilee, and he went and lived in a town called Nazareth. So was fulfilled what was said through the prophets, that he would be called a Nazarene. (Matthew 2:19-23 NIV)

Sometimes people used this prophecy quote as a reason to not believe in Jesus.  It's not a "clear" quote of the Old Testament.  It's good to remember that just because we sometimes struggle with interpreting the text, the writers of Scripture understood what they meant and saw no contradiction in what they were writing at the time.  Whether Matthew was referring to the Savior/Messiah being despised (i.e. Can anything good come out of Nazareth?) or the word-play about the Savior/Messiah in Isaiah 11:1 (i.e. The Hebrew word "Netser" is translated "branch" in our English texts.), once again the geography of Jesus fulfills prophecies about the Savior/Messiah.  Jesus, being called a Nazarene, fulfilled another prophecy about the Savior/Messiah.  Matthew saw it.  We can too.

What about you?  Do you see Jesus fulfilling all these many prophecies about the Savior/Messiah?  Do you struggle with some or all of them?  What would help you see things through the eyes of the writers?  What would help you see things through the eyes of God?  The one you are searching for is Jesus.

Out of Town Birth (Luke 2:1-40)

In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to their own town to register. So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. (Luke 2:1-5 NIV)

Since we've been reading Old Testament prophecies and psalms about a Savior/Messiah, Luke 2 should start making all kinds of connections in your mind as you read. Joseph was from Nazareth in Galilee.  Galilee will be a place that a world of darkness will see a great light.  Joseph is from the line of David.  The Savior/Messiah will be from the line of David.  Mary was expecting a child before they were married.  The Savior/Messiah will be born of a virgin.  Then, of course, Joseph, Mary, and their baby to be were travelling to Bethlehem.  The Savior/Messiah will be born in Bethlehem.

While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.  (Luke 2:6-7 NIV)

Now Jesus is born in Bethlehem, but was a Nazarene from Galilee - just like the Savior/Messiah prophecies.  Jesus was their firstborn son.  The Savior/Messiah would be a firstborn son.  She placed him in a manger.  The Savior/Messiah would be a humble person.  You get the idea?

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests." (Luke 2:8-14 NIV)

If vague references from the Old Testament Scriptures isn't enough for you, God sent a whole host of angels appearing to the only crowd staying up for the night - shepherds tending their flocks.  The angels announce that the Savior/Messiah has been born and then tells them how to find Him.  Then, they sing God's praises.

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about." So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told. (Luke 2:15-20 NIV)

We are, it seems, all, by nature, from Missouri.  The shepherds didn't stay out in the field and continue their worship service.  Instead, they did what many of us would do.  They trusted, but verified, what the angels had said.  When they got there, they realized that they weren't hallucinating.  A real family was in the barn.  A baby had been born.  The baby was laying in the feed trough...just as the angels had said.

On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise the child, he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he was conceived. (Luke 2:21 NIV)

The Greek word, Iésous, means "Yahweh saves" or "Yahweh is salvation."  What an appropriate name for our Savior/Messiah to be given.

When the time came for the purification rites required by the Law of Moses, Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, "Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord"), and to offer a sacrifice in keeping with what is said in the Law of the Lord: "a pair of doves or two young pigeons." Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord's Messiah. Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying: "Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all nations: a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel." The child's father and mother marveled at what was said about him. 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, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too." (Luke 2:22-35 NIV)

After giving birth, a woman was required to go through purification rites at the temple.  Mary followed the law in this way, too.  When she arrived at the temple with Joseph and Jesus, they encountered yet another person confirming the identity of their son.  First there were prophecies and psalms from the past.  Next, Mary and Joseph each had encounters with angels.  Thirdly, they watched as old prophecies were fulfilled at his birth.  Next, shepherds arrived telling of their encounter with angels.  They then named their child "Yahweh saves."  Now, Simeon tells about the personal prophecy the Holy Spirit gave him, which he says is fulfilled by seeing Jesus.  Finally, another prophet chimes in.

There was also a prophet, Anna, the daughter of Penuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. 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. (Luke 2:36-38 NIV)

Jesus was the one.  He wasn't old enough to speak.  He wasn't old enough to be weaned from his mother's milk.  He wasn't old enough to do anything for himself yet.  But he was the one.  He had already fulfilled many, many predictions about the Savior/Messiah and all he did was come into this world.  God had given us the clues.  His birth fulfilled them.  He is the one.

When Joseph and Mary had done everything required by the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee to their own town of Nazareth. And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was on him. (Luke 2:39-40 NIV)

Even growing up in Galilee fulfilled prophecies about him.  Jesus was the Savior/Messiah even in his out-of-town birth.  God gave us the clues, then matched them to one person: Jesus.

How about you?  Do you see the clues?  Does the birth of Jesus match them?  How many prophecies fulfilled does it take for you to believe that Jesus is the Savior/Messiah?  Do you believe now?

God and Dad (Matthew 1:18-25)

This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. (Matthew 1:18-19 NIV)

Often times our Christmas celebration includes a picture of the emotional turmoil Joseph faced.  His bride-to-be is pregnant.  He is not the father.  It seems strange that such a soap-opera kind of story would be included in the pages of Scripture, but perhaps it is not strange at all.

But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins." All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: "The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel" (which means "God with us"). (Matthew 1:20-23 NIV)

I love that Scripture is honest about the people who decide to walk together with God.  These are not idealized heroes like we find in other ancient literature.  These are real people facing real issues with a real God helping them.  Joseph was torn up over what to do because he knew he wasn't the father.  Even if Mary had told him she was still a virgin, no man in his "right mind" would believe it.  Virgin births simply do not happen.

It took an angelic intervention to convince Joseph that this was God at work.  God made it clear that a virgin birth would happen this time in this place to fulfill His plan.  Joseph caught a glimpse of the bigger picture, and stayed with Mary.

When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. But he did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus. (Matthew 1:24-25 NIV)

This story is not important because of the soap-opera drama involved.  It's not even included to show us real people being led by a real God.  It's included because the Savior/Messiah was going to be born of a virgin.  The prophecies said so.  This was one of the many signs that point us directly to Jesus.  The rest of the story reminds us that we're not the only ones who struggle with faith in Jesus.  God gave us all plenty of reasons for our faith.

How about you?  Do you struggle with faith in Jesus?  Have you investigated the stories - even the "soap-opera" ones?  Do you see the reasons God gave us for faith in Him?

God and Mom (Luke 1:26-56)

In the sixth month of Elizabeth's pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin's name was Mary.  (Luke 1:26-27 NIV)

If you've been reading along the past 6 weeks, these two verses may look completely different to you than they have at past Christmas celebrations.  We almost skip over these lines to get to "the good stuff," but these two sentences are filled with good stuff, if we know how to look.

Remember the prophecies and psalms.  We're looking for a Savior/Messiah who will save us from the penalty of our sins.  God has given us clues to recognize this person when he is born.  Now, some of the clues are coming up.  First, Mary is a virgin.  The Savior/Messiah will be born to a virgin.  Second, Joseph is a descendant of King David.  The Savior/Messiah will be a descendant of King David.  Finally, they live in Galilee.  Galilee will be the place who has seen a "great light."  Three prophecies in two sentences...not bad.

The angel went to her and said, "Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you." Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob's descendants forever; his kingdom will never end." (Luke 1:28-33 NIV)

Now, we have an announcement to Mary that her child will be the Savior/Messiah.  Mary knew what the angel was saying.  Reigning over Jacob's (Israel's) descendants forever is part of the job description for our Savior/Messiah.  His is the only kingdom that will never end.  (One more prophecy added.  Sweet.)

"How will this be," Mary asked the angel, "since I am a virgin?" The angel answered, "The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month. For no word from God will ever fail." "I am the Lord's servant," Mary answered. "May your word to me be fulfilled." Then the angel left her. (Luke 1:34-38 NIV)

I would imagine that knowing the prophecy of a virgin birth would be quite different from living it out.  Mary had the distinct pleasure of living out the fulfillment of a prophecy for nine months.  God was going to work through her to save all nations.

At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, where she entered Zechariah's home and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. In a loud voice she exclaimed: "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!" (Luke 1:39-45 NIV)

I don't know why Mary went to Judea to spend time with Elizabeth.  Maybe she was worried that no one would understand.  Maybe she was concerned Joseph wouldn't understand.  Maybe she just wanted to be with Elizabeth since God instant messaged Mary about both pregnancies.  Maybe she just wanted to be around another mom-to-be.  Whatever the reason, Elizabeth encourages Mary to receive God's blessing.  She simply needs to believe the Lord's promises to her.

And Mary said: "My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me-- holy is his name. His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation. He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble. He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful to Abraham and his descendants forever, just as he promised our ancestors." (Luke 1:46-55 NIV)

Like any good musical, Mary breaks into song.  (Okay, you could argue that it's poetry if that's your fave.)  In either case, it is clear that Mary is accepting God's blessing.  She is ready to be the fulfillment of a 700-year-old prophecy.  She was ready to be the mom to our Savior/Messiah.

Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months and then returned home. When it was time for Elizabeth to have her baby, she gave birth to a son. Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown her great mercy, and they shared her joy. (Luke 1:56-58 NIV)

Mary wasn't the only one who accepted God's promises and received them as blessings.  Elizabeth gave birth to a son in her later years of life.  Many people would consider that a "trial" or "difficulty" to endure.  Elizabeth, however, considered it a blessing.  Not only that, she mentored Mary to help her see her virgin pregnancy as a blessing, too.

How about you?  Do you see God's promises as a burden or a blessing?  Do you accept God's will in your life as a blessing?  Do you have joy in all circumstances?