2023-03-17
Good Morning Dear Ones,
Last week, I presented LK 2: 41-52, the story of a 12- yr old Jesus, whose earthly parents thought he was with them after attending the temple in Jerusalem at Passover. It was a four-day walk from Jerusalem to their home in Nazareth. Once they realized their Son wasn’t with them, they began looking for Him. It took three days [a common time the Father used in the Bible for significant events], to find Him. He was sitting on the stoa of the temple, holding His own in a discussion with the teachers of the law. In view of Christ’s age at the time, we can note that this is the time a typical Jewish lad begins the one-year preparation for his Bar Mitzveh.
Let’s mine this story for what we can learn from it. What was Jesus’ demeanor concerning his parents finding Him? Was he anxious over the separation, or was he calm? What was Mary’s response to the situation? Did she and Joseph scold the Boy? What is the significance of it being Passover at the time? What was the response of the teachers of the law to this young Man?
After their time of worrying, Joseph and Mary briefly scolded Jesus for not watching that he should have been leaving with them, they questioned Jesus. The Boy had remained calm and told them, “Why did you need to look for Me? Didn’t you know I had to be in My Father’s house?” He had been at perfect peace. They didn’t understand Christ’s answer, so Jesus left for home with them. Mary treasured these things in her heart. You’ll remember that Passover [Pesach, in Hebrew] is the annual commemoration of the exodus of the Jews from Egyptian slavery. If one considers Christ’s arrival on the scene, the Father had begun the significant events which would lead to another passage, that due to Christ’s atoning sacrifice and becoming the Mediator of a new covenant, the Covenant of Grace. Unlike previous times, these would be different, as believers in Him would gain eternal life [salvation, eternal forgiveness for sins, and justification]. The teachers of the law were amazed at how Christ, a 12-yr old boy Who hadn’t even begun His preparation for His Bar Mitzveh at the time, had held His own in their discussion on the stoa. [The Bar Mitzveh is a rite of passage from childhood to adulthood in the Jewish faith].
Fast forward to yet another approaching Passover when Jesus was in his early thirties. Please stop and read JN 6: 1-15. Jesus went across Lake Tiberius [the Sea of Gallilee] where a large crowd had gathered, which had seen him miraculously heal people. In response to Jesus’ inquiry, Phillip told Him it would take more than 200 silver coins to feed such a large crowd. Jesus already knew what would follow. Andrew, Peter’s brother, drew Christ’s attention to a young boy who had 5 loaves of barley bread and 2 fish, pointing out it was far short of enough. Christ told everyone to sit down on the hillside grass and He kept passing this food out after thanking God, and there was enough, 12 baskets full, for all with even a little extra. The latter was gathered, so there would be none wasted. Jesus was acknowledged as a Prophet after He spoke, all the while knowing He would be arrested ahead.
Now, let’s mine some of the salient truths in this story of feeding the 5000. What was the purpose of the miracles of healing? What important message did Jesus have for the crowd on the hillside? What was Christ’s demeanor throughout? What was the overall purpose of Christ’s actions? Why did he instruct the crowd to sit down? What is the significance of His feeding everyone from 5 loaves of barley bread and 2 fish?
The healing miracles that happened before were to capture the attention of the people showing some of Christ’s power. Once in place, the crowd would be fed and would hear the Sermon on the Mount. Christ is omniscient, meaning He knew ahead what He would do and what would happen, so He was calm and at peace the whole time. The overall purposes of the Lord’s action were: 1) to show the people their need for Him and His message and 2) to show them He would give them immeasurably more than they would ask for, if they had faith in the Father’s provision. He could be calm and at peace because of His faith in the Father’s provision. MT 6: 7-8, “And when you pray, don’t keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him.” As was His habit, Jesus went off alone to pray in preparation for His betrayal, arrest, trial, and work of the cross ahead.
PRAYER: O Lord, You took the time to show us how to pray by the following: MT 6: 9-13, “Our Father in heaven, hallowed by Your name, Your Kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven the wrongs that have been done to us. And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from the evil one.” Like the many precious truths mined in the two stories, You keep offering us valuable reconnaissance throughout Your word, so that we can hold the hope of the resurrection and know the peace that comes from our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. This prayer is said in His mighty and holy name. Amen.
NEXT WEEK: I’ve been commanded by the Holy Spirit to write about pictures of peace. In view of how I was raised, I wasn’t encouraged to have strong feelings of self-worth. My mother was always worrying and that was the example she set for me. But when I finally got to know my Lord Jesus, He used His power to teach me that worrying is a waste of the time and energy He gave me. I’m longer spending my time worrying, nor am I filled with the self-loathing of my childhood. RO 8 is a picture of the peace Jesus wants us to have. He has convinced me that nothing can separate us from the love of God [vs 38-39]. The Lord loves me enough to have pulled me from slimy pit of contempt for myself and to set my feet on a secure Rock, giving me a firm place to stand [PS 40: 1-2]. My worrying and misery was no longer necessary, because I know He loves me and everyone who has faith in Him. Praise and thanks be to Him!
Grace Be With You Always,
Lynn, JS 24: 15
© Lynn Johnson 2023. All Rights Reserved.
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