The Essential Jesus (Part 7): The Birth of JesusSample

His Father's Son

PRAY: Heavenly Father, my mind is racing with everything I have to do. I need to slow down, slow down, slow down, so I can hear what you have to say to me today.

READ: Luke 2:41-52

REFLECT: I know exactly how Joseph and Mary felt (v. 48). I remember the time I lost track of our youngest daughter, Stephanie, in a large clothing store. She was about five years old, and after ten minutes of desperate searching, I was going berserk. When I finally found her hiding and grinning in the middle of a circular rack of clothes, I felt a mixture of anger and relief.

As we see in this passage, Jesus wasn't playing hide and seek in the temple. He was beginning to demonstrate the unique nature of who he was. Even as a preteen, he possessed extraordinary wisdom far beyond his years (v. 47). It's as if this passage shows us what the greatest teacher the world has ever seen was like in Sunday school.

Notice how Jesus reacts to Mary's reference to "your father" (vv. 47-48). (I heard those words a few times growing up, although in a much different context, "When your father gets home...") Without missing a beat, Jesus responds, "Didn't you know that I had to be in my Father's house?" Jesus already understood that he was the divine Son of God. It wasn't a claim he invented later on to attract a crowd. He was born that way.

The interchange between Mary and Jesus also introduces us to a tension that builds throughout the Gospel accounts. Jesus often said things that assumed his divine nature and unique relationship with God. Some people missed his point or were confused by what he said. Other people clearly understood what Jesus meant and became angry or rejected him for it. That's how the religious leaders reacted to Jesus throughout his life. His words made them so angry over time that they finally killed him for it. I wonder if some leaders who chatted with Jesus in the temple that day were present twenty-one years later when he was crucified.

APPLY: What are your favorite statements of Jesus? Are there things Jesus said that you find hard to accept?

PRAY: Lord Jesus, whether your words are encouraging or challenging, I ask for the ability to hear what you are saying to me.

Discussion Questions for "The Birth of Jesus"

1. Throughout the account of Jesus' birth, God sends angels to announce the good news and to direct the action. Why do you suppose he chose to do this?
2. Does God guide people today? If so, how? Can you give some examples?
3. When Jesus was born, the angel announced that it was good news. What exactly is the "good news"? Can you describe it in your own words?
4. Do you think most people know the real meaning of Christmas? How would you explain what Christmas is to a non-believing friend or coworker?
5. Do you think people should lobby to make Jesus more visible in Christmas decorations? What are some effective ways to put Christ into Christmas?
6. Have you ever had an experience that made no sense at the time but later convinced you that God was at work? What happened?
7. Why do you think Jesus' claim to be the Son of God would make some people angry?

The Essential Jesus (Part 8): The Beginning Ministry of Jesus

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