NOTE: This is the last day of this series on Luke available on Biblestudytools.com. To get the rest of the series, get a set of Explore devotional, either as an app or as a paper copy, here—details of a great deal at the end of this study.
We’re only told of one episode in the life of Jesus between His birth and the start of His ministry, aged about 30. Since today’s passage is the only glimpse we have of His childhood, it’s well worth examining it closely.
Read Luke 2:40
Jesus and “my Father”
• How do you think Joseph and Mary would have felt during verses 44-46?
• What emotions would you have had once you’d found this child?!
• What was Jesus busy doing while He was “lost” (v 46-47)?
Unsurprisingly, Jesus’ mother is pretty annoyed in verse 48!
• What do you make of Jesus’ response (v 49)?
In verse 48, Mary talks to Jesus about “Your father”, meaning Joseph. In verse 49, as He replies, Jesus says: “my Father”, meaning God.
• What is Jesus gently reminding Mary of here?
• Which relationship is most important to Jesus?
• Though that relationship was His priority, what did He not stop doing (v 51)?
Us and our children
Of course, Jesus’ childhood was unique. And so was His relationship with His Father, God in heaven.
But notice how He gently rebukes His mother for being annoyed that He wanted to spend more time in His Father’s house, discussing eternal matters with human experts. He seems to be saying: “You should know my relationship with my Father God comes first. And you should be pleased that I put that first. I will obey you as your child; but knowing my Father is more important than anything else in my life.”
So the challenge to those of us who are parents is: is that what we want for our children? Do we want them to know God as their Father more than anything, and do we want them to put their relationship with Him first?
Are we more pleased by our children’s grades, jobs, sporting achievements or good manners than we are by their desire to read their Bibles, pray to God, and meet with His people in church?
.....................................
APPLY
• If you are a parent, do you need to encourage your children to put knowing their heavenly Father first by:
• changing the family routine?
• changing what you talk to them about?
• changing what things you show them you’re passionate about?
• Parent or not, what changes could you resolve to make next year so that YOU put knowing God and growing in your relationship with Him before everything else?
.....................................
NOTE: This is the last day of this series on Luke available on Biblestudytools.com. To get the rest of the series, get a set of Explore devotional, either as an app or as a paper copy, here—details of a great deal below.
This devotional is taken from Explore—a daily Bible-reading devotional from the good book company which enables you to engage with Scripture and which will encourage, equip and inspire you to live for Christ. Explore features contributions from pastors such as Dr Timothy Keller, Mike McKinley and Tim Chester.
Click here and enter the code bstexplore57 when you check out to get the current quarter’s Explore for $5.84, a 10% discount.
Click here and enter bstexploresub when you check out to buy a year’s worth at 25% off—just $16.
Keep a record of what God is teaching you with "my bible" at biblestudytools.com
