Day 4 Saturday Feb 20 2010

Day 4- Saturday, February 20, 2010



Hope you are doing well. Thanks for the opportunity to share. I hope in some way that these reflections spark you in some way this Lent. I also hope you will provide me with feedback along the way or make comments on the various postings. And of course, if I (or the people of Good Shepherd) can pray for you in any way, just send me a note-- pastordave@goserve.net.
Writing a devotional reflection is much different than writing a scholarly paper or writing a sermon. As I hope you will see, it is simply expressing what hits you as you read through a text and as you try to find some everyday application. The great beauty of devotions is that we could get the whole way through Luke and then start over . . .and the devotional reflections would be totally different the 2nd, the 3rd, the 4th time through. In many ways, that is how God speaks to us- at various times in our lives the message will strike a different chord. . . .(I hope that makes sense. It does for me :) Now, to today's text. . .

Today's Text-Luke 2:21-52
Jesus Is Named
21 After eight days had passed, it was time to circumcise the child; and he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.
Jesus Is Presented in the Temple
22 When the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord 23(as it is written in the law of the Lord, "Every firstborn male shall be designated as holy to the Lord"), 24and they offered a sacrifice according to what is stated in the law of the Lord, "a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons."25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon;d this man was righteous and devout, looking forward to the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit rested on him. 26It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord's Messiah.e 27Guided by the Spirit, Simeonf came into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him what was customary under the law, 28Simeong took him in his arms and praised God, saying,29 "Master, now you are dismissing your servanth in peace,according to your word;30 for my eyes have seen your salvation,31 which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,32 a light for revelation to the Gentilesand for glory to your people Israel."33 And the child's father and mother were amazed at what was being said about him. 34Then Simeoni blessed them and said to his mother Mary, "This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be opposed 35so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed--and a sword will pierce your own soul too."36 There was also a prophet, Annaj the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, having lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, 37then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped there with fasting and prayer night and day. 38At that moment she came, and began to praise God and to speak about the childk to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.
The Return to Nazareth
39 When they had finished everything required by the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. 40The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him.
The Boy Jesus in the Temple
41 Now every year his parents went to Jerusalem for the festival of the Passover. 42And when he was twelve years old, they went up as usual for the festival. 43When the festival was ended and they started to return, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but his parents did not know it. 44Assuming that he was in the group of travelers, they went a day's journey. Then they started to look for him among their relatives and friends. 45When they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem to search for him. 46After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. 47And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. 48When his parentsl saw him they were astonished; and his mother said to him, "Child, why have you treated us like this? Look, your father and I have been searching for you in great anxiety." 49He said to them, "Why were you searching for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?"m 50But they did not understand what he said to them. 51Then he went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them. His mother treasured all these things in her heart.52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and in years,n and in divine and human favor.

TODAY'S STATUS UPDATES
Obviously I write from the Christian perspective. One of the interesting things I see today is the parallel that some of us, who grew up in the church experienced. At a very young age our parents brought us to be baptized in the public setting of a church worship setting. . .. We became a Christian through no choice of our own. Rather, someone else made the decision and helped to ensure that we were instructed in the Christian faith. I was blessed with parents who set a postive example and lived their faith on a daily basis. At some point in our teenage years, we had the opportunity to "confirm" our faith. For me, this was in 8th grade. It was that moment in time when the baton was passed and I proclaimed, "I am a Christian and will live my life trying to follow Jesus." One of the things I remember is that when the baton is passed to us we are not experts nor finished products nor fully mature in the faith. A mature Christian in my mind is one who says what Michelangelo said, "I am still learning".
This is the only story in scripture with Jesus as an adolescent. You have him worrying his parents a bit. He's going to cause them more anxiety when he truly takes up his ministry as an adult! We'll get to that later. What we see here is Jesus as an avid learner and one who engages in the grand Jewish tradition of lively debate. A rabbi who taught at our church once said," Jewish culture loves to debate, challenge, and ask lively questions." There is a sense here that Jesus wasn't afraid of the give and take of debate and discussion about God. He wasnt' afraid to challenge authority. He wasnt' afraid to listen as well nor was he afraid to make a point. An avid "learner"; an "avid listener"; and "an avid teacher" are three gifts we see on display here. We will see them on display throughout the Gospel of Luke, but especially in the travel narrative (from 9:51 into chapter 19)
Jesus put himself in a position to learn more about his faith tradition.
Are you putting yourself in an ongoing position to learn? Are you and I ready to learn more and to ask questions?
As some say, learning isn't about having all the right answers. . . .it's about asking the right questions!
Prayer- I am thankful this day for the witness of Jesus, a passionate learner. Help us all to be lifelong learners- ready to listen, to ask questions, and to be challenged. Fill us with your wisdom this day and in all the days to come. We are still learning. . . .Amen

FRIENDS ADDED
Simeon
Anna
Unnamed Relatives and Friends
Jewish Teachers- here presented as a group. Watch out. In the facebook era, they likely would "unfriend" Jesus. or. . . . .They'll keep him on their "friend list" to keep an eye on him! It's still early in the Gospel. Let's call the Friends for now!

"CAUSES" OR "FAN OF"
The Jewish heritage- note the obedience of Mary and Joseph and the text's comments on participating in the annual Jewish Festivals, the presentation of Jesus (as was the custom).
Lifelong learning (in the faith)


REMINDER-- SUNDAYS ARE DAYS TO WORSHIP WITH OTHERS AND TO "CATCH UP"