A family tree
Daily Scripture
Luke 2:21-52
During Lent, we are using short videos to share a daily idea (linked to the gospel of Luke) on how to grow spiritually. Watch today’s video. Click here or on the image below:
Note: We are reading the entire gospel of Luke in the GPS. Some day’s readings are longer than usual. We hope you’ll have an extra cup of coffee, or use your lunch break, and read Luke’s entire story of Jesus.
21 When eight days had passed, Jesus’ parents circumcised him and gave him the name Jesus. This was the name given to him by the angel before he was conceived. 22 When the time came for their ritual cleansing, in accordance with the Law from Moses, they brought Jesus up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord. (23 It’s written in the Law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male will be dedicated to the Lord.”) 24 They offered a sacrifice in keeping with what’s stated in the Law of the Lord, A pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons [Lev 12:8; 5:11 Septuagint—the Greek translation of the Old Testament].
25 A man named Simeon was in Jerusalem. He was righteous and devout. He eagerly anticipated the restoration of Israel, and the Holy Spirit rested on him. 26 The Holy Spirit revealed to him that he wouldn’t die before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. 27 Led by the Spirit, he went into the temple area. Meanwhile, Jesus’ parents brought the child to the temple so that they could do what was customary under the Law. 28 Simeon took Jesus in his arms and praised God. He said,
29 “Now, master, let your servant go in peace according to your word,
30 because my eyes have seen your salvation.
31 You prepared this salvation in the presence of all peoples.
32 It’s a light for revelation to the Gentiles
and a glory for your people Israel.”
33 His father and mother were amazed by what was said about him. 34 Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “This boy is assigned to be the cause of the falling and rising of many in Israel and to be a sign that generates opposition 35 so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your innermost being too.”
36 There was also a prophet, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, who belonged to the tribe of Asher. She was very old. After she married, she lived with her husband for seven years. 37 She was now an 84-year-old widow. She never left the temple area but worshipped God with fasting and prayer night and day. 38 She approached at that very moment and began to praise God and to speak about Jesus to everyone who was looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.
39 When Mary and Joseph had completed everything required by the Law of the Lord, they returned to their hometown, Nazareth in Galilee. 40 The child grew up and became strong. He was filled with wisdom, and God’s favor was on him.
41 Each year his parents went to Jerusalem for the Passover Festival. 42 When he was 12 years old, they went up to Jerusalem according to their custom. 43 After the festival was over, they were returning home, but the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents didn’t know it. 44 Supposing that he was among their band of travelers, they journeyed on for a full day while looking for him among their family and friends. 45 When they didn’t find Jesus, they returned to Jerusalem to look for him. 46 After three days they found him in the temple. He was sitting among the teachers, listening to them and putting questions to them. 47 Everyone who heard him was amazed by his understanding and his answers. 48 When his parents saw him, they were shocked.
His mother said, “Child, why have you treated us like this? Listen! Your father and I have been worried. We’ve been looking for you!”
49 Jesus replied, “Why were you looking for me? Didn’t you know that it was necessary for me to be in my Father’s house?” 50 But they didn’t understand what he said to them.
51 Jesus went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. His mother cherished every word in her heart. 52 Jesus matured in wisdom and years, and in favor with God and with people.
Daily Reflection & Prayer
- Reflect on Simeon’s words in verses 34-35. How did each phrase point to an aspect of Jesus’ life and ministry? In what ways has your loyalty to Jesus brought challenges and adjustments in life? Has facing those challenges for Jesus’ sake been worth it?
- Luke 2:41-52 is the only glimpse any of the gospels give of Jesus’ boyhood. What does it show you about the unique challenges his parents faced in raising God’s son? How did it foreshadow the power of Jesus’ preaching and teaching some 18 years later?
Click here to incorporate music and worship from the COR Worship Collective into your daily practice and devotion.
Prayer
Lord God, thank you for Mary and Joseph’s courage, commitment and sensitivity to your will. Shape me into a person committed to reflecting your love in all my relationships. Amen.
GPS Insights
Ginny Howell
I didn’t become a parent in the most traditional of ways. I was unmarried when three foster children were dropped off at my front door one Friday evening in February. That was just over 20 years ago. I was asked to keep them for the weekend, but they all still live with me to this day. Like Mary and Joseph, as a parent I’ve listened to people sing the praises of my children, I’ve watched in awe as they share their talents with the world, AND I’ve said things like, “Child, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been worried….” (verse 48)
Especially as our children grow in years and wisdom, parenting cultivates our faith in new ways. Nothing I’ve ever attempted in life has given me more opportunities to practice patience than parenting has. I’d certainly never exercised my prayer muscles to near body builder form before someone called me “momma.”
I’d also never felt joy as abundantly as I have since those tiny humans entered my life, and that remains true to this day. In the past week I’ve had one child excited about starting a new job, one child in major crisis mode, and another child texting me riddles and jokes on Friday night at 9:17 p.m. because she likes to try to stump me and knows I enjoy playing along. In the midst of the celebrations, crisis and random attempts at amusement, I continue to grow closer to God because of the ways only they can teach me.
I listened as 184 Confirmation students’ names were read yesterday afternoon, when our young people claimed their faith as their own. You could feel the joy and pride of family members as each child’s name was read. Later, I saw group and family photos posted on social media. I know that is but one snapshot into parenting those teenagers. While the day likely included new dress clothes and lots of positive attention for most of them, I have no doubt there were also conversations about homework, curfews and responsibilities that needed to be had that day as well.
God gifts us each other, whether child and parent or in other types of relationships. In a culture where independence can seem like an absolute requirement for success, I challenge you to look at how inter-dependent we really are. I invite you to live into the growth that comes from fully embracing the good and the bad, the joyful and the challenging, because every bit of it brings us more fully into who God is calling us to be.
