#DailyDevotion Did Your Parents Ever Leave You At The Gas Station? Jesus Knows.

January 4th
Read Luke 2:41–52
Luk 2:46-51 After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. (47) And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. (48) And when his parents saw him, they were astonished. And his mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us so? Behold, your father and I have been searching for you in great distress.” (49) And he said to them, “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” (50) And they did not understand the saying that he spoke to them. (51) And he went down with them and came to Nazareth and was submissive to them. And his mother treasured up all these things in her heart.

Jesus’ growing up wasn’t much different that you or I growing up. As he had become man he had to learn to walk, talk, memorize his catechism. Why his mother even forgot him at the temple. How many of you were accidently left at home or a gas station? And who got blamed for it by their moms?

True Jesus was pretty smart as a human. He learned pretty quickly and had the intelligence to ask good questions. We don’t see him here explaining the quantum physics or the Trinity. Perhaps he was a little smarter than the average Jew being asked questions by the religious leaders at the temple. They were amazed as his questions and answers.

Jesus does give us an idea of who he is in vs. 48-49. While Mary says “your Father” Jesus replies with “my Father’s house.” It’s not that Jesus doesn’t appreciate all that Joseph does for him, he’s just stating a fact, the temple is his Father’s house. Jesus is the only begotten son of the Father. Jesus is divine as well as human. Jesus knows this. He knows his divine origins.

We note what Jesus does afterwards. He goes home and was submissive to them. Which would be better than most of us and he doesn’t have to, he is their Lord. But Jesus is submissive and obeys the 4th commandment for you.

The incarnation (the Word became flesh) is of great comfort to us. The Father, the Word and the Holy Spirit thought enough of us to send the Word, the Son of God to become flesh and dwell among us. He would do in his flesh what is necessary to reconcile us to the Father.

Lord Jesus Christ we thank you for living our lives in your flesh that we might participate in your divine nature. Grant us faith to find comfort in your incarnation. Amen.