He Taught Them The Truth About God

Life is a matter of building. Each of us has the opportunity to build something -- a secure family, a good reputation, a career, a relationship to God. But some of those things can disappear almost overnight due to financial losses, natural disasters and other unforeseen difficulties.

What are we to do? Daniel Webster offered excellent advice, saying, "If we work on marble it will perish. If we work on brass, time will efface it. If we rear temples, they will crumble to dust. But if we work on men's immortal minds, if we imbue them with high principles, with just fear of God and love of their fellow-men, we engrave on those tablets something which time cannot efface, and which will brighten and brighten to all eternity.  -Morning Glory, July 3, 1993

"And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast" (Luke 2:42—KJV).

Joseph and Mary raised their son, Jesus, according to the law of God. Not only did they offer the appropriate sacrifices shortly after Jesus was born, but every year they traveled from Nazareth to Jerusalem to celebrate the festival of the Passover (Luke 2:22-24; 2:41). Knowing their son was the Son of God, they did all they could to raise Him according to the will of God and gave Him all the opportunities they could afford to allow Him to spend time with God in His Father’s house.

We wonder, therefore, that a day after they discovered Jesus was not traveling with them as they returned home that they began searching anxiously for Him. Not finding him among their relatives and friends, they returned to Jerusalem and searched three more days before they found Jesus in the temple.

What did they find Jesus doing in His Father’s house? He was "sitting among the teachers, listening to them, and asking them questions" (Luke 2:46). Later, when Jesus began His public ministry, He continued to discuss the truth, the character, and the ways of God with the religious leaders and people. Just as all who heard Him were amazed at His understanding and answers at the age of twelve in the temple, they were even more amazed during His ministry.

Out of the many things Jesus' parents could have found Him doing in the temple (such as praying); they found Him teaching. Jesus prepared for His teaching by praying, but a large part of His Father’s business was asking questions, listening to the questions of others, and then teaching them the truth about God.

Scripture: Luke 2:41-52; Luke 6:40; Psalms 32:8; Matthew 5:19; 2 Timothy 3:16; James 1:5

Prayer: Jesus, You are well-acquainted with my weaknesses and the condition of my heart. You know that I am often more concerned about my own comfort and my daily schedule than the needs of those around me. I know I can't save the entire world, but I can listen to Your still small voice as You place individuals upon my heart. Show me ways that I can make a difference. May the character of my life reflect the heart of Christ as I reach out to others in love and in obedience to Your calling upon my life. In the name of Jesus, Amen.  -Special thanks to L.J.Parkhurst, Jr.

Have a blessed day,

Kenna