Tipping Point

    Children grow up so quickly. Where does the time go?  I wonder if Mary or Joseph thought something similar as they prepared for the Passover journey to Jerusalem that year. Jesus was 12 years old that year, preparing to transition into adult standing.  It is the time for sons to learn their
father's work.  The following year boys would be deemed ready to undertake the responsibilities of knowing and following the Law of Moses.

    Luke has done a good job of showing us the divine nature of Jesus' birth.  He has also shown us the human growth of the infant.  Here at the end of chapter 2, he introduces the direct concept that Jesus, son of the virgin Mary, is also Christ, Emmanuel God with us.  By now he has become aware of his unique birth and relation with Almighty God, though we are not given the details of when nor how this took place.

    The key moment came with the emotional background of a three day search for a missing son. At last Jesus is located in the Temple courtyards.  Mary can contain herself no longer. "Son, why have you treated us this way?" This is a completely understandable question. An urgent trip back to the city and a night with less than peaceful sleep was coupled with a desperate search in a large city.

    Then she said it. "'Your father' and I have been anxiously searching for you."  That was when Jesus reflected his tipping point. "Why would you search? You do know that I would be involved in 'My Father's' things, didn't you?"

    Here we find Jesus as a young man with a clear understanding and claim to be closely and uniquely related to Yahweh.  My Father stands in direct contrast with Joseph, his supposed father.

    We, also understand a direct relationship with God.  We connect with Him through Jesus the Christ. We are not divine, not gods. We are redeemed.  We are His people and as such, should be involved in His house and in His things.  We belong to Him and have a job to carry out in His Name.

For What Are You Looking?

 
The first week of the new year is finished.  How many resolutions have been abandoned, do  you suppose?  What if you counted one for the ever popular, growing number of people who abandon hope before they start?

     Many seemed to celebrate the exit of 2016 as much as the start of a fresh calendar.  Others are anticipating the coming events planned for this year.  What do you want to find in the new year?
 What do you hope for 2017? The future?  For what are you looking? Longing?  To whom or to what does your heart belong?

   Luke's narrative moves to some people who are seeking, looking for the consolation of Israel, the redemption of Jerusalem, the Messiah.  Simeon and Anna find Mary and Joseph in the Temple at Jerusalem.  They are excited to know this infant Jesus is the Anointed One.

    Simeon has received a promise from the Holy Spirit  Guided by the Spirit, he comes into the courtyards of the Temple.  He finds the couple and announces his satisfaction.  "Your promise is fulfilled! His eyes have seen a baby, but the eyes of faith have seen God's salvation.  The Deliverer has arrived. God is moving!

   What are the promises we are looking to experience?  Our great God has promised to never leave us alone, yet if we are not looking, we could miss His presence! He is here faithfully.  His mercies are new every morning. He hears every prayer, cares about every care.  But if we fail to look to Him,  we may feel isolated or abandoned.  Let us look with the eyes of faith.

    Simeon correctly observed that this deliverance would be for a revelation to all Gentiles, that it would come through Israel. This child being presented to God, tucked away in a small corner of the world, would shine light into the darkness.  He would deliver His people from around the world from their captivity.

    The eyes of faith have received their promise, but there are consequences.  This child will carry a target on himself. He will cause the fall of many and the rise of many others. The thoughts of mankind will be revealed.  Simeon received his promise and as a result was ready to die at peace. Others would see the promised Messiah and prefer to be destroyed. King Herod would unleash his army against the infants of the region in a desperate attempt to cling to his throne.

    As we are seeking the promises of God, it is important that we look at our hearts.  Where is our allegiance, our loyalty and values?  To what are we are clinging?  Experiencing our Savior will change us, impact our direction in life.  It will be personal.

    This year, let's see our promise(s) from God with the Spirit-aided eyes of faith.

 

Long Journey Home

   A lot of us celebrate Christmas with a journey back to our family homes.  We gather our gifts, food and clothing for festivities with family.  Hopefully, it is a joyous time reconnecting.

    Joseph returned home for the first Christmas. He did not find the warmest of welcomes with his very pregnant fiancee.  They had traveled to Bethlehem to register for the census, but the town was overwhelmed with the crowds. There was no more place for them, or was it the welcome that was missing?  It appeared things were out of bounds for the couple. Or perhaps the animal shelter offered the privacy desired for the birth that night.

    The Christmas story is full of journeys. Gabriel the angel came to Mary and to Joseph, also to Zechariah with news of God's plan being carried forward.  Joseph and Mary made their trip and the shepherds went to town to search out the baby wrapped in swaddling cloths in a manager.

    The magi from the east traveled the farthest following the star.  They stopped in Jerusalem to check in with King Herod, then continued to the house where the couple and infant had moved. They were directed by God to go home another way, (i.e., not to Jerusalem).

    But there were a few journeys not taken that first Christmas.  King Herod didn't leave the palace, he later sent the troops on their brutal mission. He missed his chance due to pride and a desire for self preservation.  A new king signals the old king is removed or deceased.

    The religious leaders and teachers stayed at home also. They knew the time for Messiah was near.  They knew the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem.  They knew the magi came and asked for the king of the Jews.  Maybe they were busy.  Maybe they had commitments. Maybe they could have remembered from whom this baby had come.

     This year, let's find Jesus. Let's make the journey to Bethlehem.  Let's follow Him to Jerusalem, the Garden of Gethsemane, Calvary and the Mount of Olives.  Jesus has been made our King and our Priest. He is our God, we are His people.  Let's walk with Him on the long journey home.