This account of the 12-year-old Jesus is not found in any of the other gospels. In the story we see Mary and Joseph’s commitment to their faith as they went to Jerusalem for the Passover every year. Though this was required of every Jew, few could afford the finances and time to make the trip.
According to the Mishnah, the first major work of Rabbinic Judaism, Jesus’ religious instruction would have become more intense at the age of 12.
Read More learning, Passover, parentsJohn bursts onto the scene at a precise moment of history, in an exact locale: during the reign of Tiberius Caesar, along the banks of the Jordan River. Luke does everything short of giving us a fixed date and geographic coordinates.
Read More forgiveness, repentanceLuke traces Jesus’ lineage through the paternal line (unlike Matthew, who traces it through the maternal line, with some startling surprises). Luke produces a pedigree of fathers and sons. The single dominant refrain of the entire passage: “he was the son of….”
Read More redemption, acceptanceThe devil has two favourite haunts, two places he likes to pay us a visit: gardens, and deserts.
Gardens are places of beauty and ease. There is abundant food, shade, birdsong. A garden is a taste of paradise. We are in a garden when our lives are pitch-perfect: great job, great marriage, close to God.
Read More testing, devilSometimes Jesus’ recruitment strategies seem counter intuitive. Designed to dwindle the ranks, not swell them. Devised to chase potential donors and followers away, not attract them.
Read More choice, discouragementNeeds surround us. Needs invade us. They can overwhelm us, or they can motivate us to take action. Those with eyes to see perceive not only their own needs, but also those of other needy people around them.
Read More sin, forgiveness, Son of Man, needs