Luke 2 -- His Birth and His Early Life

“Augustus Caesar was ruling, but God was in charge,” my commentary said about the census that brought Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem for Jesus’ birth, exactly according to the prophecies.

“God’s glory had dwelt in the tabernacle and in the temple, but had departed because of the nation’s sin.  Now, God’s glory was returning to earth in the person of His Son.”

After Jesus was born, His family made sure to fulfill the requirements of the law, which included circumcision.  “His circumcision was His first suffering for us,” I read in my commentary.

Simeon and Anna were part of the faithful Jewish remnant who were waiting for God to bring the Messiah.  Both were controlled by the Holy Spirit and were led to praise God publicly that He had provided salvation. 

At age 12, Jesus went with His parents to Jerusalem for the Passover and stunned the religious leaders by asking questions and giving them answers in the Temple for 3 days while His parents each assumed He was travelling home with the other in a large caravan.  He increased in knowledge as he grew physically, and began to understand the role God had set out for Him. 

Finally, Jesus would emerge from Nazareth with God able to say of His teenage Son, “You are My beloved Son, and I am pleased with You!”  Oh that every parent might be able to say that of their children!

Father, thank You for giving us a Savior who, like us, was tempted in every way, but who, unlike us, never sinned.  Help me to emulate Him.

Your Brother In Christ,

Gary Ford