Wonder - Day 27
The wonder of heaven & earth colliding
Luke 2:39-40
39 When Jesus’ parents had fulfilled all the requirements of the law of the Lord, they returned home to Nazareth in Galilee. 40 There the child grew up healthy and strong. He was filled with wisdom, and God’s favor was on him
And so ends the birth story of Christ, but if you’re anything like me, you’re left with more questions than answers, especially when you realize that the next chapter in Luke finds Jesus as an adult.
What happened in those childhood years? Did Jesus always know who He was, or was there a moment, something that happened, when it all came rushing to Him? How did He relate to other children? Did He continue to teach in the synagogues and what did the religious leaders think of Him as He grew up? So many questions.
But Luke has told us what we need to know. Jesus was born, as it was prophesied that the Messiah would be born. He had a predecessor, his cousin John. His birth fulfilled all sorts prophecies and came with many signs and wonders. This was no ordinary birth story, for Jesus was no ordinary boy.
I do like how Luke harkens back to Gabriel’s encounter with Mary by the phrase, “God’s favor was upon him.” As God’s favor was upon Mary, so it was upon Jesus. I guess it ran in the family.
Whatever the coming days, weeks, months, and years of Jesus’ life would hold, we know where His story will lead. He will come to His cousin John, to be baptized in the Jordan River to begin His public ministry. He will prepare for that ministry in the desert for forty days, battling and gaining victory over the devil along the way. He will choose twelve men to follow Him, and wherever He goes, the curse from the garden will be reversed. Or in His own words, ““Then he told John’s disciples, “Go back to John and tell him what you have seen and heard—the blind see, the lame walk, those with leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised to life, and the Good News is being preached to the poor.” And he added, “God blesses those who do not fall away because of me.”” (Luke 7:22-23 NLT)
But let me challenge you as we come to a close. Don’t ever lose the wonder that comes with to us thru Christmas story. For that story represents that God who came down to be with us, and through His Holy Spirit, remains with us until the day we get to see Him again, face to face. Until then, let Him inspire you; let Him take your breath away; let Him wow you and fill you with awe, rendering you speechless with His power and creation. May we never let go of the Wonder of Christmas, for in that Wonder, we may see Jesus.
QUESTIONS
Luke 2:39-40
39 When Jesus’ parents had fulfilled all the requirements of the law of the Lord, they returned home to Nazareth in Galilee. 40 There the child grew up healthy and strong. He was filled with wisdom, and God’s favor was on him
And so ends the birth story of Christ, but if you’re anything like me, you’re left with more questions than answers, especially when you realize that the next chapter in Luke finds Jesus as an adult.
What happened in those childhood years? Did Jesus always know who He was, or was there a moment, something that happened, when it all came rushing to Him? How did He relate to other children? Did He continue to teach in the synagogues and what did the religious leaders think of Him as He grew up? So many questions.
But Luke has told us what we need to know. Jesus was born, as it was prophesied that the Messiah would be born. He had a predecessor, his cousin John. His birth fulfilled all sorts prophecies and came with many signs and wonders. This was no ordinary birth story, for Jesus was no ordinary boy.
I do like how Luke harkens back to Gabriel’s encounter with Mary by the phrase, “God’s favor was upon him.” As God’s favor was upon Mary, so it was upon Jesus. I guess it ran in the family.
Whatever the coming days, weeks, months, and years of Jesus’ life would hold, we know where His story will lead. He will come to His cousin John, to be baptized in the Jordan River to begin His public ministry. He will prepare for that ministry in the desert for forty days, battling and gaining victory over the devil along the way. He will choose twelve men to follow Him, and wherever He goes, the curse from the garden will be reversed. Or in His own words, ““Then he told John’s disciples, “Go back to John and tell him what you have seen and heard—the blind see, the lame walk, those with leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised to life, and the Good News is being preached to the poor.” And he added, “God blesses those who do not fall away because of me.”” (Luke 7:22-23 NLT)
But let me challenge you as we come to a close. Don’t ever lose the wonder that comes with to us thru Christmas story. For that story represents that God who came down to be with us, and through His Holy Spirit, remains with us until the day we get to see Him again, face to face. Until then, let Him inspire you; let Him take your breath away; let Him wow you and fill you with awe, rendering you speechless with His power and creation. May we never let go of the Wonder of Christmas, for in that Wonder, we may see Jesus.
QUESTIONS
- What kinds of questions do you have about the missing years of Jesus’ childhood and teenage years?
- What aspect of the Christmas story stirs up the most wonder in your heart?
- What is one thing you look forward to about that day we all long for, when we see Jesus coming again in the clouds above?
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