Luke 2
Summary
The second chapter of Luke is the story of the birth of Jesus. Luke's account is different than Matthew's account in several ways. They are not conflicting stories. They are just written from different perspectives and for different purposes. Most of the Christmas pageants we see and many pf the Christmas songs we sing are combinations of the two accounts.
Since Luke is writing to his friend about the life of Jesus and the stories he has heard, Luke doesn't tell of the Magi, the escape to Egypt, or the death of Herod. Luke just tells the Jewish things of importance -- the circumcision, the purification offering (two turtle doves in case you were wondering where that came from), the temple visit at age 12, and the desperate return to find Jesus sitting with the teachers in the temple.
My take away
I think my favorite part of this story is the very last verse --
"And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man."
As Jesus grew up, he learned. Verse 51 says he was submissive to his parents. He was a good kid. He was obedient, and people liked him. We seldom think of Jesus having to grow up. Our only images of him are as a baby or as a man. There is just this one reference to Jesus growing up.
Nobody ever wonders if he went through a terrible twos stage or he was difficult to patty train. Did he have crushes on teen aged Jewish girls? Was he a good big brother? Did he have the normal fights with siblings as he grew in wisdom and stature?
While the announcement of his birth by angels in chapter one certainly speaks to his deity, it is this story in chapter two that helps me remember his humanity and his ability to truly empathize with us.
I don't know why or even if that was important to Theophilus, but it was apparently worthwhile to Luke.
I wonder why.
John <><
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