One Verse at a Time

This episode looks at Luke 2:41, “Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover.” We can take a cue from the saints of the Old Testament by not being captive to secular American time and instead to allow the Christian calendar to shape us for our good.

This episode looks at Luke 2:40, “And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom. And the favor of God was upon him.” In his humanity, Jesus grows up in wisdom by God’s grace. May the overflow of his grace be upon us as we also grow in wisdom.

This episode looks at Luke 2:39, “And when they had performed everything according to the Law fo the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth.” Repeatedly, we hear how Joseph and Mary obeyed the law of the Lord. This doesn’t go away with the mercy of Christ. Instead, we need God’s grace to obey (and teach) all that he commanded to us.

This episode looks at Luke 2:38, “And coming up that very hour she began to give thanks to God and to speak of him to all who were waiting for the redemption of Israel.” May God give us grace to search Christ out, see him, give thanks to God, and preach him to others.

This episode looks at Luke 2:37, “and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day.” When the eulogy of our life is written, may we be known as people wholly devoted to God at all times.

This episode looks at Luke 2:36, “And there was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived with her husband seven years from when she was a virgin.” God is working a new exodus in the life of Jesus (Joshua). May we imitate Anna (Hannah) by recognizing the miraculous child of God and proclaiming his salvation to the world.

This episode looks at Luke 2:35, “(and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.” We pray that we will respond to Christ’s death not with opposition, but instead with the heartbroken love of Mary, while also acknowledging Christ’s tender care for us on the cross.

This episode looks at Luke 2:34, “And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed.” For the first time in Luke we see inklings of the future rejection of Jesus. May we have eyes and hearts to see and embrace Christ’s teaching and his work on the cross, and may we live our lives accordingly.

This episode looks at Luke 2:33, “And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him.” Though they had heard and seen so many amazing things, Mary and Joseph never cease to marvel at what God is up to through Jesus. May we imitate them in doing the same thing.

This episode looks at Luke 2:32, “a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel.” Jesus is a light for all nations, and we also now go out as lights to all the nations. May we carry that light well in our actions and in our words of life.