Daily D – Luke 2:39-40

by | Dec 29, 2021 | Daily D | 0 comments

David G Bowman Logo

Luke 2:39, 40  When they had completed everything according to the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. The boy grew up and became strong, filled with wisdom, and God’s grace was on him. (CSB)

Joseph and Mary were good parents. They did what they were supposed to do. Parents, this does not guarantee everything will go according to plan for you and me. It does provide the necessary grounding for good lives well lived. 

Parenting is a challenge. Even the best parents are often pushed to the limits of their patience, wisdom, and stamina. (It is as if I can hear every mom and dad who reads these words say, “Amen!”)

However good Joseph and Mary were as parents, they experienced a challenge none of us has: Jesus was the perfect child. 

There are delusional moms and dads who think their children are kinda sorta like Mary Poppins: Practically Perfect In Every Way. Even if they cannot see the imperfections in their little darlings, the rest of us have fewer problems in spotting the spots of sin and rebellion. 

The New England Patriots and Jacksonville Jaguars played in the Super Bowl in Houston years ago. I was flying somewhere the next day and had an encounter with a mom and her little darling. Actually, everyone within several gates participated in the encounter.

A woman of advancing age and her son were preparing to fly away home. The son was pushing forty and acted like he was fourteen. His every impulse and action declared his mindset was that of a thoroughly spoiled brat. 

He made loud demands of his mother. He slouched low in his seat. He blocked the aisle with his posture. He talked loudly on his cell phone for all to hear. He complained about everything from the game to the airport. 

This was a wonderful object lesson. Two important insights arose from this encounter. First, our children are much better children than that guy. Second, I am a much better parent than that woman. What I just wrote in the last two sentences is also true for you. Trust me on this.

She was not the perfect mom. He was not the perfect child. 

Joseph and Mary were not perfect. They did, however, have the perfect child. Talk about challenges!

There have been times aplenty when my bride and I have had to look our children in the eyes and say, “I am sorry. I was wrong. Please forgive me.” It is hard, and necessary, to acknowledge our failures. One of the most important lessons in life is to get good at delivering sincere apologies. 

The next time we see Jesus in this chapter, he has grown toward manhood. He is in that in-between state of thinking and acting like a child and thinking and acting like a man. Here is what we can deduce from Joseph and Mary’s parenting skills: Their failures did not transfer to Jesus in negative behavior on his part, but he received them in preparation for that one day on a hill far away on the emblem of suffering and shame. 

Jesus the loving and dutiful son would bear any burden for his parents, even their sin (and ours). 

What Joseph would never see, what Mary could not bear to look upon, Jesus would take and wash away in his own blood. 

What a good boy! 

What a fine young man! 

What a Savior!

I will live in gratitude to Jesus for bearing my parental sins on the cross.

Our Father, you alone are the perfect parent. Please forgive me for all of my parental failures. May our children and grandchildren not have to bear the burden of our sin. May they know the freedom of your grace and forgiveness and live lives better and more beautiful than anything we could ever hope for them. Amen. 

0 Comments

Submit a Comment

CONNECT WITH ME!

Interested in learning more about Church Unique or Life Younique? Send a note through the Get In Touch box or Message me through the Facebook link above.

          Church Unique Logo          Auxano Logo

GET IN TOUCH!

READ MY BLOG!

Daily D – Psalm 65:8

Psalm 65:8 Those who live at the ends of the earth stand in awe of your wonders.
From where the sun rises to where it sets,
you inspire shouts of joy.

Daily D – Psalm 64:3

Psalm 64:3 They sharpen their tongues like swords and aim their bitter words like arrows.

Daily D – Numbers 27:12-17

Numbers 27:12-17 One day the Lord said to Moses, “Climb one of the mountains east of the river, and look out over the land I have given the people of Israel. After you have seen it, you will die like your brother, Aaron, for you both rebelled against my instructions in the wilderness of Zin. When the people of Israel rebelled, you failed to demonstrate my holiness to them at the waters.” (These are the waters of Meribah at Kadesh in the wilderness of Zin.)

Daily D – Numbers 24:25

Numbers 24:25 Then Balaam left and returned home, and Balak also went on his way.

Daily D – Numbers 18:20

Numbers 18:20 And the LORD said to Aaron, “You priests will receive no allotment of land or share of property among the people of Israel. I am your share and your allotment.”