In Favor With God And Man

When he was twelve years old, they went up to the festival, according to the custom. After the festival was over, while his parents were returning home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but they were unaware of it. Thinking he was in their company, they traveled on for a day. Then they began looking for him among their relatives and friends. When they did not find him, they went back to Jerusalem to look for him. After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers. 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.”

“Why were you searching for me?” he asked. “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?” But they did not understand what he was saying to them.

Then he went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. But his mother treasured all these things in her heart. And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.

Luke 2:42-52

On Earth Jesus is both God and man. As Good, He can work miracles, forgive sins, conquer death, and predict the future. But for Jews who look for images of God as a bright cloud or pillar of fire, Jesus can cause confusion.

Who does God take on human form? The scene of twelve-year-old Jesus debating rabbis in the temple gives one clue. “Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers.” For the first time, ordinary people could hold a conversation with God in visible form.

Jesus can talk to anyone – His parents, a rabbi, a poor widow – without first having to announce, “Don’t be afraid.” In Jesus, God draws near.

Jesus was God and man in one person, that God and man might be happy together again.

Our Daily Bread – December 21, 2018