Lk 2:40-52
Do you usually find Jesus only when in church? Or you can find Jesus wherever your are?
Can the spiritual truth you hear be translated into practical guidelines in our daily living?
“And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was on him. 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. 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. 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?” (This point shows that Jesus is indeed the son of God --My father's business - I'm concerned in his affair)But they did not understand what he was saying to them. 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 2:40-52 NIV
Dual identity of Jesus Christ
- Son of God (fully God, spiritual --> naturally have interest in his father's business, the discussion of the teachers of huge law) --> also a role model of all children of God
- Ask: if we are COG (does v 40/52 also apply to us?) --confirm: did spirit testify with us through the below that we are child of God?
- Favor/ grace of God will first be on us (became 49, incease 52)-- there is progression
- Strong sense of r/s with father
- Likes to talk about God (because you are in love with him so much that you like to remain in sanctuary of god, fellowship of believers) --> wisdom will increase naturally
- Son of Mary and Joseph (fully man, earthy)
- Jesus integrate the spiritual part and the earthly part very well
- us: we also have dual identity
- Spiritual identity. Earthly identity
- How to integrate? (This is true wisdom)
- Pray (to receive strength from god, to know his perfect will, power to love or do his will --> then only you can live it out in your life --> face challenges! and receive burdens --> pray again and live)
- Because we are aware of spiritual background --> need spiritual strategy ie pray
- Spiritual always comes first (ie God above man) - there is always the spiritual perspective, spiritual method before human perspective, method
- A lot of times we come searching for Jesus --> where is he?
- But Jesus is near to the heart of seeking him (he is where he is, he is there when your heart turns to him)
- A lot of times we find Jesus on material things, not in the spiritual background
V51 Mary: treasured all these things in heart
2:19 Mary treasured all these things in heart
- Even though she didn't understand -> but she still treasured all these in heart
- Truth + subjective experience (>\<)
- But she put them in the heart and pray and confirm
- One day HS will help us understand the great and unsearchable things
- Ponder till "realisation"
- “so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.””Luke 2:35 NIV
- Sometimes, god also cut our souls because of certain things that happened
- Even the little thing you have is the grace of God; even when you fail, it's because God wants you to learn humility and serving
- "Astonishment" - realisation may accompany with astonishment (discomfort)