The following is from OBC’s daily devotional for today:
Luke’s aim—providing a solid basis for Christianity centered on the person and work of Jesus Christ—included an orderly account not only of his miraculous conception (1:31) but his birth in Bethlehem (2:1-7) as prophesied (Mic 5:2). The Lord announced the birth of Israel’s promised Messiah through angels to shepherds who worshipped him and spread the news they had heard (vv. 8-20).
As a Jewish child born into a Jewish home when the Mosaic Law was in force, his earthly parents obeyed God’s commands that applied to a first-born son (vv. 21-24). While in the temple, two aged saints, Simeon and Anna, praised the Lord for the privilege of seeing the promised Christ and spoke of him to others (vv. 25-38).
Of the four gospels, only Luke gives the account in verses 41-52. This shows the genuine humanity of the Messiah—his human body and mental capacity grew, he was part of a family, and he obeyed his earthly parents. This account also shows the genuine deity of the Messiah, that he was fully God—he knew his relationship with God the Father.
Truths to Nail Down and Meditate On
- This chapter gives great detail to the full humanity of the Messiah. Read Hebrews 2:14-18 for the importance of this!
- Saints such as Simeon and Anna believed God’s promises in the OT regarding the Messiah and were waiting and looking for the fulfillment of such. What are some promises God made elsewhere in the Bible that are awaiting fulfillment? Are you like Simeon and Anna?
- Jesus was subject to his earthly parents (v. 51; cf. Phil 2:5-7). Think about all that Jesus was, both before and after his incarnation. And he was subject to his earthly parents! He as a child obeyed God’s commands for children to honor parents (Deut 5:16). Jesus was perfect, but his parents were not. What lessons we must learn from this!
