Morsels 2 Priorities

 

I have decided to continue to publish the studies in the sayings of our Lord under the general title “ Morsels “ If you would like to receive them please let me know. ( I aim at least a fortnightly issue.) Many blessings

Peter. .Morsels 2 Priorities

Preface

Here is our first meditation on the sayings of Christ. Let us remind ourselves of who it is who is saying these surprising things. He is described both as the Son of God (John 1:34) and the Son of Man ( John 9:35-37). We must not lose sight of Christ’s humanity. Here is a first century Rabbi giving us guidance .His words are down to earth. Yet they carry the authority of His divinity. I have heard one teacher say that Christ was speaking as man in certain incidents. This seems wrong to me. Christ is not two separate beings but a single person. We must approach His words with caution as well as respect

ScriptureLuke 2:41-52 New International Version41 Every year Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem for the Festival of the Passover. 42 When he was twelve years old, they went up to the festival, according to the custom. 43 After the festival was over, while his parents were returning home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but they were unaware of it. 44 Thinking he was in their company, they traveled on for a day. Then they began looking for him among their relatives and friends. 45 When they did not find him, they went back to Jerusalem to look for him. 46 After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. 47 Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers. 48 When his parents saw him, they were astonished. His mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you.” 49 “Why were you searching for me?” he asked. “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?”  50 But they did not understand what he was saying to them. 51 Then he went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. But his mother treasured all these things in her heart. 52 And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man. Comments

I struggled with this saying. Our Lord took me by surprise...Here was a twelve year old boy asserting his position in the family.as a twelve year old wouldI I expected Him to meticulously defer to His parents .My idea of goodness was a detailed following of the law. I think my idea of goodness needs widening and deepening. .Nonetheless the reaction of our Saviour took me by surprise. Had Jesus warned his parents that he was hanging back at the temple? He expects them to know that he had to be at the temple working for His father. Our oldest great grand child is a boy who is nearly twelve. It helps me imagine this conversation.

The family was going up to the temple for Passover. They were behaving as a good Jewish family. In verse 51 we learn that Jesus went to behave as a dutiful law abiding Jewiwish son should . This wandering off takes us by suprise. The verse goes to the core of the law and its basic spirit. What could have taken Jesus apparently off target. God who wrote the law had business for Jesus to do

We must not miss the main thrust of our Lord’s words. He is a twelve year old and He is prioritising the use of His time and confessing to His relauinship with a higher being, with God. We discover that His Father is God and that He is God’s agent This statement has an impact on how we live our lives,1 Peter 2:21NIV21 To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. We also need to focus and prioritise.

As I meditate on this passage, questions flood my mind. What is my Fathers business? What must I do to be about my Father’ business? Perhaps these are questions we should all ask.