From: March 17, 2024
“And coming up at that very hour she began to give thanks to God and to speak of him to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem” (Luke 2:38 ESV).
In the gospel of Luke, an 84 year old widow named Anna came up to the Temple at the same time that Mary and Joseph came to present the infant Jesus to the Lord. She arrived just as a man named Simeon was moved by the Spirit to take Jesus up in his arms and prophecy over him. Both she and Simeon were described as those who were “waiting” on God’s redemption. Simeon’s words were recorded by Luke in some detail, but Anna’s words were simply summarized saying that she gave thanks and spoke of Jesus to all were “waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.”
Anna’s waiting was finally rewarded. For the Lord answered her longing for redemption by letting her see her Redeemer. She may have seemed an unimportant widow to the priests and leaders who saw her every day at the Temple. But the Spirit revealed the Savior to her and made sure that Luke was inspired to include her name in his gospel.
Now we are those who wait on our redemption. For the Lord has come and is coming again.
PRAYER: Dear Father, it amazes us that You care for those that others overlook. You care for the widow and for the orphan. You care for the least of these. And You reveal Yourself to those who wait for Your redemption. Thank You for revealing Jesus to us. In His name we pray. Amen.
From: March 17, 2023
“Jesus grew in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and all the people” (Luke 2:52 NLT).
Luke is the only gospel that describes how Jesus grew up. The story of twelve year old Jesus talking with the teachers in the Temple, while His family was looking for Him, is a very interesting glimpse into His youth. And it begs the question, “What did it look like for the Son of God to grow up?” Luke summarized Christ’s growing years in a four part description. This description is helpful for those who want to grow in maturity as they follow Jesus:
The four ways that Jesus grew were:
1) Mentally “wisdom”
2) Physically “stature”
3) Spiritually “favor with God”
4) Socially “favor with people”
These four areas of growth provide a way of considering our own growth. After all, as Christ followers, shouldn’t we desire to grow in these same areas?
I try to set one or two goals at the first of the year in each of these same four areas, praying that Jesus will help me to grow more like Him. I call them my Luke 2:52 goals. For instance, I might have a goal under mental growth like “Read 2 books a month,” or “Learn to play the banjo.” Under physical growth, I might say, “Lose 15 pounds,” or “Join a gym.”
What would your “Luke 2:52” goals look like?
PRAYER: Our Father, we want to grow up like Jesus. Your Spirit empowers us and Your Son leads us in this. We want to cooperate in the work of sanctification that you have begun in us, knowing that you will complete what you have begun on that day. In Jesus’ name, amen.
From: March 17, 2016
Luke is the only gospel that described how Jesus grew up. The story of twelve year old Jesus talking with the teachers in the Temple, while His family was looking for Him, is a very interesting glimpse into His youth. And it begs the question, “What did it look like for the Son of God to grow up?” Luke summarized Christ’s growing years in a four part description. This description is helpful for those who want to grow to maturity as Jesus did.
The four areas of growth are:
1) Mental “wisdom”
2) Physical “stature”
3) Spiritual “favor with God”
4) Social “favor with men”
I use this verse to help set goals in my life each year, praying that Jesus will help me to grow more like Him. What are your “Luke 2:52” goals?
From: March 17, 2015
Luke is the only gospel that described how Jesus grew up. The story of twelve year old Jesus talking with the teachers in the Temple, while His family was looking for Him, is a very interesting glimpse into His youth. And it begs the question, “What did it look like for the Son of God to grow up?” Luke summarized Christ’s growing years in a four part description. This description is helpful for those who want to grow to maturity as Jesus did.
The four areas of growth are:
1) Mental “wisdom”
2) Physical “stature”
3) Spiritual “favor with God”
4) Social “favor with men”
I use this verse to help set goals in my life each year, praying that Jesus will help me to grow more like Him. What are your “Luke 2:52” goals?
From: March 17, 2014
Luke described how Jesus grew from a child to a man. This four part description is helpful for those who want to grow to maturity as Jesus did. The four areas of growth are:
1) Mental “wisdom”
2) Physical “stature”
3) Spiritual “favor with God”
4) Social “favor with all people”
I use this verse to help set goals in my life each year, praying that Jesus will help me to grow more like Him. What are your “Luke 2:52” goals?