Word@Work Luke34 - Luke 2:41-42
Published: Mon, 02/08/10
Word@Work from BeaconLight
TRUE TO GOD'S WORD
Luke 2:41-42 Every year his parents went to Jerusalem for the Feast of the Passover. When he was twelve years old, they went up to the Feast, according to the custom. (NIV)
The Bible has only one story about Jesus as a boy. This is it. But it starts by telling us that Mary and Joseph took God's Word seriously. The Old Testament was their guide to relating with God, with its instruction that every male must attend three festivals in Jerusalem each year: the feasts of Passover, Pentecost and Tabernacles (Deut 16:16). Women were welcome, as were children when they could understand (Neh 8:2).
The pivotal feast of the Jewish year was Passover; remembering how God delivers His people from slavery in Egypt some 1,500 years previously. The Passover lamb was killed in thanksgiving to the God who rescues His people. Mary and Joseph attended each year. They simply obeyed what God had said; however poor they may have been or however difficult the journey (although not so far as to Bethlehem), they joined with the rest of God's people to sacrifice and praise. Little did they know that Jesus Himself would become the Passover Lamb, sacrificed to redeem us from an empty way of life (1 Peter 1:18-19), and the evil around us (Gal 1:4).
At twelve years of age, Jesus was within a year of manhood. It was time to be introduced to the heart of Israel's worship, and Jesus was included in the group going from Nazareth. There is no indication in Luke's account that Mary and Joseph had any more direct instruction on their parental role beyond the promises surrounding His birth, and the need to obey the law. They could not have known where it would all lead to; so they took the next step of obedience, and included Jesus in family worship.
The greatest education any parent can give children is to show them that true worship is central to life. This value like any others is both caught (demonstrating what is important) and taught (explaining why they are important). Godly parents warmly include children in family and church worship: this is not just desirable but essential. Even though Jesus was God the Son, He was taught how to worship His Father: and as we shall see, Jesus was in His element. All of us are designed to worship God; but refusal to do so is the most dangerous course anyone can take (2 Thess 2:10b). Wise parents will engage with their children in Bible teaching and worship from an early age. When God ripens their understanding, it provides the seed-bed for faith, and they will know how to relate with the God who loves them.
Prayer: Heavenly Father. Thank You for Your Word which teaches me why and how I must worship You in a way which pleases You. Thank You for all those who have shown me their delight in worship and taught me how to give my heart to You, hungry to hear Your Word so that I might praise and pray. Please help me to be a good spiritual role model to others, particularly children and young people; and teach me how to explain Your Word to them, so that they will know how to worship You with all of their heart. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
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You can read the verses around this Bible passage from the Internet Bible: - in English, and many other languages
The Bible has only one story about Jesus as a boy. This is it. But it starts by telling us that Mary and Joseph took God's Word seriously. The Old Testament was their guide to relating with God, with its instruction that every male must attend three festivals in Jerusalem each year: the feasts of Passover, Pentecost and Tabernacles (Deut 16:16). Women were welcome, as were children when they could understand (Neh 8:2).
The pivotal feast of the Jewish year was Passover; remembering how God delivers His people from slavery in Egypt some 1,500 years previously. The Passover lamb was killed in thanksgiving to the God who rescues His people. Mary and Joseph attended each year. They simply obeyed what God had said; however poor they may have been or however difficult the journey (although not so far as to Bethlehem), they joined with the rest of God's people to sacrifice and praise. Little did they know that Jesus Himself would become the Passover Lamb, sacrificed to redeem us from an empty way of life (1 Peter 1:18-19), and the evil around us (Gal 1:4).
At twelve years of age, Jesus was within a year of manhood. It was time to be introduced to the heart of Israel's worship, and Jesus was included in the group going from Nazareth. There is no indication in Luke's account that Mary and Joseph had any more direct instruction on their parental role beyond the promises surrounding His birth, and the need to obey the law. They could not have known where it would all lead to; so they took the next step of obedience, and included Jesus in family worship.
The greatest education any parent can give children is to show them that true worship is central to life. This value like any others is both caught (demonstrating what is important) and taught (explaining why they are important). Godly parents warmly include children in family and church worship: this is not just desirable but essential. Even though Jesus was God the Son, He was taught how to worship His Father: and as we shall see, Jesus was in His element. All of us are designed to worship God; but refusal to do so is the most dangerous course anyone can take (2 Thess 2:10b). Wise parents will engage with their children in Bible teaching and worship from an early age. When God ripens their understanding, it provides the seed-bed for faith, and they will know how to relate with the God who loves them.
Prayer: Heavenly Father. Thank You for Your Word which teaches me why and how I must worship You in a way which pleases You. Thank You for all those who have shown me their delight in worship and taught me how to give my heart to You, hungry to hear Your Word so that I might praise and pray. Please help me to be a good spiritual role model to others, particularly children and young people; and teach me how to explain Your Word to them, so that they will know how to worship You with all of their heart. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
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