Saturday, January 19, 2013
Luke 2:46 After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions.
LISTENING TO THE WORD
Paintings of Biblical scenes can be an especially helpful devotional aid. Often the artist not only captures a specific moment of a Scripture account but also includes a number of visual references based on the inner meaning of the Bible narrative. However, there are times when the impression left by a painting may conceal rather than reveal -- or at least leave us with an idea unwarranted by the text. For example, haven't many pictures of the Magi combined to leave us the impression we KNOW how many of these scholars traveled to Bethlehem?
A familiar depiction of Jesus in the Temple seems to make the 12-year-old lad the teacher rather than the student. Not only is this a departure from Luke's inspired account; it conceals a valuable Scripture truth. As a careful listener and Bible student, the youthful Jesus displays an attitude of reverent attention and thoughtful consideration toward the Word of God. In this we often fall woefully short of what God intends, but Jesus, our Substitute/Redeemer, here steps in and fulfills the Law of God in our place. Through faith this righteousness displayed by Jesus is credited to all those who trust in Him -- so that God looks at believers and sees His loving and obedient Son.
Furthermore, when we by faith grasp the fact that our Savior was there in our stead, His attentive and interactive listening in the temple courts encourages us, His redeemed ones, to focus on God's Word with the same careful attention -- praying that the Spirit would open the eyes of our understanding.
Let us make a point to remember this Epiphany truth as we focus our minds and hearts on the Scripture readings in church tomorrow.
