Scripture Reading: Luke 2.21-40 Today's inspiration: Luke 2.40 - and the grace of God was upon Him.

Good Morning.

I took my first trip to New York in 1990, and ventured into the garment district of Manhattan. It was about 4 p.m. and the shopkeepers were looking to close. . . I looked over my shoulder thinking, 'come on. what is your rush?' And as I did, I spied that the store owner had earmuffs on! Earmuffs? It is May, man! Wait, those weren't earmuffs, they were his locks tightly wrapped around his ears. And the hour of the day? Well, it was almost sundown--time for the sabbath to commence. Oy, vey. Growing up in suburban Northern California, about as white bread as anyone could imagine in the 60s--I knew virtually nothing about Judaism; yet, I had grown up hearing about Jesus since I was knee-high. How could that be? How could I not know that Jesus really was a Jew? Think Wonderbread. . . oh, yeah.

As ridiculous as it sounds, that man's earmuffs that afternoon sparked my interest in all things Jewish; I came home and read about the Jews--reformed, conservative and orthodox--in the United States. I read about what is happening current-day in Palestine and the Gaza Strip. . . I was the only one who looked like me last fall during the high Holy Days' orthodox services, and felt bereft that I could not don a prayer shawl and stand with the men during many of the prayers and readings. Jesus, my dear ones, was a Jew. . . and yet, how much do you know about His Jewish traditions?

Luke 2, starting in verse 21, gives us a clear picture of the Jewish traditions and ceremonies Jesus' family observed. According to custom, Jesus was circumcised when at eight days old. And then, Joseph and Mary went to the temple in Jerusalem forty days after Jesus' birth to offer a sacrifice for Mary's purification. While at the temple, Simeon, a devout worshipper, affirmed that this child they brought was the long, waited-for Messiah. (you can read Simeon's prayer in vs. 29-32). Similarly, Anna the prophetess, (yes, a woman!), was present in the temple, and she too recognized the redemption that would come from 'this child.' I'm sure that Joseph and Mary were overwhelmed with God's provision of assurance that what they had been told about Jesus was indeed true.

"When Joseph and Mary had done everything required by the Law," they returned to Nazareth with Jesus. After that, the "child grew and became strong; He was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon Him." Just like that? That verse takes us from Jesus' infancy to age 12. . . the other day, when I was talking about 'wishing I'd have been there'. . . well, I really wish I knew more about Jesus' childhood years. The Bible is silent about those years, however; in fact, one biblical scholar even calls them "Jesus' Hidden Years." Historians of the day do fill in the blanks and provide a good overview.

Home-life for Jesus, living in the Nazarene country village, was of the simplest--even meals were quite simple, except for the Sabbath and for the Jewish festivals; then, the best was served. The same would be said of the dress and manners of Nazarenes--simple. The strongest ties were those which bound families together. Jesus had several brothers and sisters (Matthew 13.55-56), including James and Jude, who authored the New Testament books that bear their names. Interesting to note that they didn't really believe in Jesus as anything other than their brother until after His death and resurrection. I wonder if that pained Jesus. . .

Jesus learned the trade of Joseph, carpentry. (So do you think Jesus' later nail-scarred hands also have scars where he might have cut himself with a saw, or banged himself with a hammer?) As we take a look at Jesus' teachings, we will notice other things which could only have been drawn upon from these hidden years--such as Jesus' keen observance of nature. For instance, in the sermon on the mount, Jesus told his listeners not to worry. . . "see how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these." (Matthew 6.28) And in one of my very favorite passages, Jesus uses grapes, grapevines and branches to illustrate how He wants us to understand our relationship with Him. (Do yourself a favor and look up John 15, verses 1-8) Yes, Jesus was very observant in His comings and goings--His teachings mention the habits of foxes, sparrows, shepherds, sheep, grass, and certainly, people. He was clear about those whose motives were impure--tax-collectors, harsh judges, and most especially, hypocrites. As we learn more of Him, one thing was also very clear--Jesus championed the cause of the underdog. I can hardly wait to get further into the life and ministry of Jesus!

As I close today, would you consider again with me 'today's inspiration'? "And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men." Let that be the prayer of our hearts today: "O God, we want to grow in wisdom--You told us we could ask You for wisdom, and You would give it to us... we're asking. And God, we ask for Your favor as well... may Your favor rest upon us today, Lord!"