Daily Bread for Oct 24, Luk 2-3

Today's readings are Luk 2-3. 

In Luk 2:1-20, we see another perspective of Christ's birth. Angels announce His arrival, revealing the news to lowly shepherds in the language they, as Jews, would be familiar with from their Scriptures. Luke is careful to note the humble birth of the Messiah, an early clue that the Redeemer will not do what many expect. As believers, we must be cautious to temper our expectations with the full counsel of God’s word. Many Jews made the mistake of embracing portions or snippets of Scripture without giving regard to all of it.

Jesus is circumcised and presented at the Temple where Simeon and Anna pray and prophesy over Him (Luk 2:22-38). Notice this --so far, Jesus has been acknowledged and rejoiced over by a young, humble virgin, a priest, shepherds, a prophet and a prophetess. All of them, pious people, setting a high expectation (in a good way) for the Son of God. Simeon even prophesies that Jesus will be a “light for revelation to the Gentiles” (Luk 2:31). Yet, there is a somber, foreboding note in what Simeon has to say in Mt 1:34-35. Jesus is, indeed, salvation. But, salvation will come with pain and suffering, even for Mary (Luk 2:34-35).

Twelve years later, while the family is in Jerusalem, Mary and Joseph, having lost Him, find their Son teaching and lecturing in the Temple. This is a crucial moment, preserved in detail by Luke. These are the first recorded words of Jesus. Here, we see that Jesus is fully aware of who He is and where His ministry is headed (Luk 2:41-52).

Notice the contrast between Mary's statement in Luk 2:48 (“...Your father and I have been searching for you....”), and Jesus' gentle correction in Luk 2:49 ("I must be in My Father's house..."). Jesus is not rebuking Mary and Joseph. He's reminding them of something they should already know, given the events earlier in this chapter. His Father is God in heaven. He is here for a specific purpose, to do His Father's work. "I must be in My Father's house" means "it is necessary to be in My Father's House." But, it also has a connotation of Jesus being about His Father's business. A good paraphrase could be "I know you're already aware that it is necessary for me to be about my Father's business, in His house, among His people." Jesus is not surprised they've been looking for Him nor is He being disrespectful. He's surprised they don't know where to look. They've been visited by angels, seen miracles, been affirmed by priests and prophesied over by prophets. They know these things, yet they struggle with worry and concern. This short exchange also refutes any idea that Jesus was unaware of His true identity and calling before His baptism.

Mary and Joseph are no different than any of us. Confronted by a crisis, we don't always respond well. Christ is always there to remind us that He is doing His Father's work, in the Temple, in Jerusalem, in the 1st century and in our hearts today.

While Jesus is growing and maturing, His cousin, John is baptizing and preaching repentance. He warns that he only baptizes with water, but one is coming that will baptize in the Holy Spirit and fire (Luk 3:1-16). A careful reading of the context of this verse reveals that John is saying that Jesus will baptize either in the Holy Spirit or in judgment, not as some teach, that He will baptize in the Holy Spirit and power. The following verse (Luk 3:17) provides the context. It tells us the fire John mentions, one of judgment and separation, will burn away the chaff and "winnow" out those who are evil. Believers will be cleansed and redeemed while those who reject God will be judged. Jesus will be the standard of measure, the dividing line. He is bringing a baptism of water or fire. Every person who ever exists will experience one or the other. 

Luke's genealogy (Luk 3:23-38), written for his non-Jewish audience, goes all the way back to Adam. If we harmonize Luke’s genealogy with Matthew’s (Mat 1:1-17), we see that Jesus is affirmed as a Jew in Matthew’s gospel and as a historical figure with a complete, traceable lineage as we see in Luke.