Luke records the presentation of Jesus in the temple where he was officially named and circumcised when He was 8 days old. Simeon praised God as he held the child in his hands. Mary and Joseph “marveled at what was said about Him.”
- Why did they marvel? Were they surprised that Simeon recognized who He was?
- Were they having difficulty believing that this child was actually the Messiah in spite of their encounters with angels prior to His birth?
- Was it Simeon’s words about Mary that troubled them?
- What were the family dynamics in those first 8 days as they held Jesus? Did they see anything more special in Him than any parent would see in their child? Was their anything of His divinity showing that would confirm the messages from the angels?
- Was this a normal Jewish home?
Matthew records the visit of the Magi who brought gifts to the home of the “child” – toddler -Jesus. I’m trying to picture Jesus learning to walk – grasping the legs of the tables Joseph made for the family. As the Magi (in all their refinery) come to the front door of what was likely a very humble home, I can imagine an eager toddler wanting to see what was going on.
- Were His eyes wide in wonder as they presented their gifts.
- Did those gifts bring any memory of the wonder of heaven? Did He have memory of heaven at this point?
- What happened to those gifts?
- Were the gifts used to fund their trip to Egypt when they fled Herod’s death sentence on boys under the age of two?
Over the next few years in Egypt, what did Mary and Joseph tell Jesus? Did they tell Him about:
- The angels who came to tell of His birth?
- The shepherds who came to visit the night of His birth and the story they told of the heavenly chorus?
- The place of His birth – the manger – the city – the reason they were in a stable?
- The special star that led the Magi?
- The gifts they brought
- The reason they had fled to Egypt
- The prophecies regarding the Messiah – did they connect the dots for Him – telling Him that His birth and even His flight to Egypt were all prophesied?
As a child, what would have impressed Him most?
- The plan that had been foretold and the amazing unfolding of the story?
- The provision for them to go to Egypt?
Assuming the humanity of the child Jesus, I can imagine that as He grew there would be an excitement about what would unfold in the years to come – a sense of anticipation. What would the Father do next? As events unfolded and as He studied the prophesies, He was able to say at several points, “this is that which was spoken of by the prophets.” He was looking for places where the prophecies would be fulfilled.
What can we learn as those born anew – not of flesh and blood but of the Spirit? Can we trust the same heavenly Father to provide. Can we watch with anticipation for what He will yet unfold in our lives. Jesus never appears a victim of His world because there was anticipation of what was ahead. Neither are we victims of this world but we live in this world as Jesus did – looking to see what the Father has in store.
