Luke Part 1 Week 12

Day 1 

RECEIVE 

Luke 2:45-47 

⁴⁵ When they couldn’t find him, they went back to Jerusalem to search for him there. ⁴⁶ Three days later they finally discovered him in the Temple, sitting among the religious teachers, listening to them and asking questions. ⁴⁷ All who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. 

Mary and Joseph kept frantically looking for Jesus. They had gone a day from Jerusalem so now they had to go a day back to it. On the next day they found Him in the temple among the religious leaders. He not only listened to the leaders, but He also asked them questions. “All who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers.” What kind of a 12-year-old was this? 

REFLECT 

You may have been impressed with some 12-year-olds, but Jesus was far superior to any of them. 

RESPOND 

Talk with a friend about how sharp some young children appear to be. Then talk about Jesus who was fully God as well as fully human and how brilliant He appeared to the people. 

Day 2 

RECEIVE 

Luke 2:48 

⁴⁸ His parents didn’t know what to think. “Son,” his mother said to him, “why have you done this to us? Your father and I have been frantic, searching for you everywhere.” 

Mary explained her frustration about searching for her child. She asked why He had done this to them. Notice that even though Jesus was virgin born, Joseph is referred to as his father. Mary explained they had been frantic and had looked “everywhere” for Jesus.  

REFLECT 

Can you feel the emotion in Mary’s words as she asked Jesus why He had done this to them? 

RESPOND 

Visit with a friend about some you know who had frantically searched for their child. Do you know what they first said to their child? What would you have said? 

Day 3 

RECEIVE 

Luke 2:49-50 

⁴⁹ “But why did you need to search?” he asked. “Didn’t you know that I must be in my Father’s house?” ⁵⁰ But they didn’t understand what he meant. 

Jesus thought his parents should have known He needed to be about His heavenly Father’s affairs. They did not. Neither did they understand what He meant by the question. They knew Jesus was born by a miracle of God, but they had no idea what this would mean as He grew up. 

REFLECT 

Have you experienced God at work in a situation that caused you to wonder why? 

RESPOND 

Join with a friend marveling about what all the heavenly Father was doing through His son Jesus. Think also of what Jesus would eventually do in dying for the sins of everyone. Pray for others to place their faith in Jesus as Savior. 

Day 4 

RECEIVE 

Luke 2:51-52 

⁵¹ Then he returned to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. And his mother stored all these things in her heart. ⁵² Jesus grew in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and all the people. 

Jesus returned to Nazareth with His parents and was obedient to them. Mary did not understand what all was occurring in her son’s life, but she pondered them in her heart. Notice that even though Jesus was fully God in the flesh, He “grew in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and all the people.” 

REFLECT 

The way all of this was done in Jesus’ life is difficult to understand. Can you believe it even if you do not understand it? 

RESPOND 

Perhaps you and a friend also have questions the Bible does not answer. The late Warren W. Wiersbe had been a Bible teacher on Back to the Bible. He was known for saying, “Believers live on promises, not on explanations.” Think about this when you are asked a question the Bible does not answer. 

Day 5 

RECEIVE 

Luke 3:1 

¹ It was now the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius, the Roman emperor. Pontius Pilate was governor over Judea; Herod Antipas was ruler over Galilee; his brother Philip was ruler over Iturea and Traconitis; Lysanias was ruler over Abilene. 

Luke is about to tell of the ministry of John the Baptist. He first tells of the political and religious leaders at the time. “Pontius Pilate was governor over Judea.” He will figure prominently later in the trial of Jesus. The Jews hoped for a Messiah who would overthrow the Roman Empire and its rulers. They would be confounded later when Jesus made it clear He had not come to do that. 

REFLECT 

Even though it may not mean as much to you now, do you appreciate this gospel writer who was specific with historical details? 

RESPOND 

Talk with a friend about the importance of history. Dates can be difficult to remember but events can help one better understand the times. Think of important dates and events in your life. Share them with each other. For example, when did you trust in Jesus for your salvation? What was occurring at the time?