When they had fulfilled all the prescriptions of the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him. Luke 2:39-40 NABRE
Luke concludes the birth and presentation narratives of Jesus and His family Mary and Joseph. At the end of the birth, the circumcision, and the presentation of Mary, Luke recognizes all the requirements of the law have been met and the family goes home to Nazareth in Galilee. We hear about young Jesus one more time during a Passover visit to the temple when he is twelve, otherwise Jesus lives a hidden life in Nazareth with Mary and Joseph with no history or tales recorded about His time until He steps into His public ministry. In what is described about Jesus as a twelve year old boy He impresses the teachers in the temple. We can infer that Jesus spent time in study and prayer with the scriptures. Jesus learns and likely is informed by the Holy Spirit. What we see in Jesus happens often with those called to serve God. God calls us and then gives us time to deepen our understanding and knowledge before God needs us to serve. Most of what we need to deepen ourselves is prayer with God’s word. I have to imagine this is what Jesus did with regularity in His hidden life.
We hear God does not call the prepared, He prepares the called. I think Jesus demonstrates this in His life. He remains hidden until He is ready to be God’s servant. We too should spend as much time as possible in God’s word with prayer so that when it is our time to serve God we are prepared like Jesus.
How do you deepen your understanding of God and His Word? Are you ready to serve or are you preparing yourself?
Jesus remains hidden until He is ready to be God's servant. We too should spend as much time as possible in God's word with prayer so that when it is our time to serve God we are prepared like Jesus. Click To Tweet#bible #godisgreat #jesus #christianity #dailybibleverse @youversion #BeAnEncourager #hidden #study #Luke #everybodyalways #god #jesuschrist #jesussaves #godisgood #dailydevotion #biblestudy #scripture #bibleverse #verseoftheday #cross #last #Matthew #loveeachother #godisgreat #thisVineyard #youversion #everythingalways