Christianity Oasis Forum

[cimi]

May 14
Tuesday


BECOMING

READ:
Luke 2:41-52
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Jesus increased in
wisdom and stature,
and in favor with God
and men. __Luke 2:52
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I grew up in a small town. No famous people. No busy streets. Not much to do. Yet I've always been thankful for my quiet, uncomplicated upbringing.

One evening when my husband and I were attending a business dinner, a new acquaintance asked me where I was from. When I told her, she said, "Aren't you embarrassed to admit it?" Unsure whether or not she was joking, I simply said, "No."

Although my town was sometimes belittled for its lack of sophistication, it was not lacking in things that matter. My family was part of a church community in which parents brought up children "in the training and admonition of the Lord" (Eph. 6:4).

Jesus also grew up in a small town: Nazareth. A man named Nathaniel asked, "Can anything good come out of Nazareth?" (John 1:46). Jesus proved that the answer is yes. Even though He grew up in an insignificant place, He was the most significant person in all of history.

Experience taught me and scripture confirms that what matters is not where you grow up but how you grow up. Sometimes we feel insignificant compared to sophisticated people from prominent places. But we are significant to God, and He can make us strong in spirit and filled with His wisdom. __Julie Ackerman Link

``````````````````````O teach me what it cost You, Lord,````````````````````
``````````````````````````To make a sinner whole;````````````````````````
````````````````````````And help me undertand anew``````````````````````
``````````````````````The value of one soul! __Anon.```````````````````````
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What we become is more important than
where we're from.

*************************Today's Bible Reading _ Luke 2:24-52*************************

41 His parents went to
Jerusalem every year at the
Feast of the Passover. 42 And
when He was twelve years
old, they went up to
Jerusalem according to the
custom of the feast. 43 When
they had finished the days,
as they returned, the boy
Jesus lingered behind in
Jerusalem. And Joseph and
His mother did not know it;

44 but supposing Him to have
been in the company, they
went a day's journey, and
sought Him among their
relatives and acquaintances.

45 So when they did not find
Him, they returned to
Jerusalem, seeking Him.

46 Now so it was that after
three days they found Him in
the temple, sitting in the
midst of the teachers, both
listening to them and asking
them questions. 47 And all
who heard Him were
astonished at His
understanding and answers.

48 So when they saw Him,
they were amazed; and His
mother said to Him, "Son,
why have You done this to
us? Look, Your father and I
have sought You anxiously."

49 And he said to them,
"Why did you seek Me? Do
you not know that I must be
about My Father's
business?" 50 But they did
not understand the statement
which He spoke to them.

51 Then He went down with
them and came to Nazareth,
and was subject to them, but
His mother kept all these
things in her heart. 52 And
Jesus increased in wisdom
and stature, and in favor with
God and men.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>INSIGHT<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

Today's passage is a helpful look at the incarnation; it presents both
Jesus' humanity and His humility. His humanity is shown in the fact
that Jesus "increased in wisdom and stature" (v.52). His humility is
demonstrated in His obedience to His earthly parents (v.51) even
though He desired to be doing His "Father's business" (V.49).