WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:22.260 Hi, and welcome to the Willow Ridge Church weekly podcast. 00:00:22.760 --> 00:00:25.880 This is where you can find audio for our current and past sermons. 00:00:26.080 --> 00:00:30.420 We hope that you enjoy this week's installment, and be sure to check back next week to hear 00:00:30.420 --> 00:00:31.260 the latest message. 00:00:31.680 --> 00:00:32.440 Thanks for listening. 00:00:47.200 --> 00:00:48.240 Well, good morning. 00:00:48.540 --> 00:00:49.020 Good morning. 00:00:49.660 --> 00:00:56.600 Oh, each of you had a Merry Christmas, Christmas afternoon as we came back to Columbia from 00:00:56.600 --> 00:01:02.380 Greenville, kept seeing cars pass by that had snow on it, and I was like, let's turn 00:01:02.380 --> 00:01:02.780 around. 00:01:03.440 --> 00:01:08.300 Let's go find where that snow is, because, man, I always enjoy seeing snow. 00:01:08.460 --> 00:01:10.860 I always enjoy playing in snow. 00:01:11.320 --> 00:01:16.660 And ever since we've lived back here in Columbia for the past 20 years, I've only seen snow 00:01:16.660 --> 00:01:17.500 one time. 00:01:17.880 --> 00:01:21.660 And so, anywho, anywho, it was a Merry Christmas, nonetheless. 00:01:22.580 --> 00:01:24.360 We're going to be in Luke chapter 2. 00:01:24.600 --> 00:01:27.880 We're going to be starting in verse 22, so turn to Luke chapter 2. 00:01:28.580 --> 00:01:32.900 We're wrapping up our Christmas series in Luke that Pastor Bo has been walking us through 00:01:32.900 --> 00:01:39.720 over the last several Sundays as we have looked at the prophecy of the birth of Christ, the 00:01:39.720 --> 00:01:46.900 angel speaking to Mary, and now we're going to look at a brief time in his life from infant 00:01:46.900 --> 00:01:48.480 to about 12 years old. 00:01:49.180 --> 00:01:54.080 And so, I start thinking about that time frame there of an infant, 12-year-old. 00:01:54.540 --> 00:01:59.680 Over the last few months, I've been thinking, and my wife and I have been talking about it, 00:02:00.740 --> 00:02:03.440 whatever happened to our baby boys? 00:02:04.720 --> 00:02:09.740 As we look and realize in our house, we now got a 21-year-old and a 17-year-old. 00:02:10.440 --> 00:02:12.700 And it's like, what in the world happened? 00:02:14.040 --> 00:02:16.940 The statement, time flies, has been so true. 00:02:17.020 --> 00:02:17.980 Where has it gone? 00:02:18.900 --> 00:02:24.260 And I can only imagine for Mary and Joseph, they probably had similar thoughts of, here's 00:02:24.260 --> 00:02:26.860 Jesus, and time is going by. 00:02:27.020 --> 00:02:28.240 Time is flying by. 00:02:29.140 --> 00:02:35.880 So parents, be sure you take a look at your sons, your daughters, your kids, and realize 00:02:35.880 --> 00:02:37.460 time will fly by. 00:02:38.060 --> 00:02:43.580 One of the things I go back to quite often is when our boys were about somewhere between 00:02:43.580 --> 00:02:48.340 the ages of four and nine, it's like time stood still in that moment. 00:02:49.460 --> 00:02:53.560 Their bodily and facial features didn't really change a whole lot. 00:02:54.380 --> 00:02:56.600 You know, their mannerisms didn't change a whole lot. 00:02:56.680 --> 00:02:59.180 Their interaction with mom and dad didn't change a whole lot. 00:02:59.420 --> 00:03:02.940 It was just a unique time in that four to nine years old. 00:03:03.820 --> 00:03:09.020 And of course, right around the corner was teenage years, and right around the corner was the 00:03:09.020 --> 00:03:13.460 early 20s, and so those all have unique characteristics in and of themselves. 00:03:14.100 --> 00:03:18.320 And if you've gone through that time or going through that time, you know exactly what I'm 00:03:18.320 --> 00:03:18.980 talking about. 00:03:19.580 --> 00:03:21.560 Well, let's look at Luke chapter two together. 00:03:22.560 --> 00:03:24.000 Look at verse 22. 00:03:24.920 --> 00:03:26.380 It's where we'll begin together. 00:03:27.520 --> 00:03:35.440 It's right off of where Jesus had been circumcised at the age of, I mean, at eight months. 00:03:36.660 --> 00:03:43.800 And now we begin to see more about, or get a glimpse of, of Jesus' early life. 00:03:44.840 --> 00:03:45.680 Verse 22. 00:03:45.800 --> 00:03:50.920 And when the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, they, Mary and 00:03:50.920 --> 00:03:54.380 Joseph, brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord. 00:03:54.800 --> 00:03:59.280 As it is written in the law of the Lord, every male who first opens the womb shall be called 00:03:59.280 --> 00:04:04.440 holy to the Lord, and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the law of the Lord, 00:04:04.900 --> 00:04:07.840 a pair of turtle doves, or two young pigeons. 00:04:08.280 --> 00:04:13.580 So we quickly see that, that Mary and Joseph are being responsible parents. 00:04:13.920 --> 00:04:18.520 We quickly, quickly see that they're doing what God has called them to do, what is laid out 00:04:18.520 --> 00:04:23.860 for them to do as parents, and to take Jesus through the various ceremonies that they are 00:04:23.860 --> 00:04:27.460 accustomed to as children of Israel to take him through. 00:04:28.280 --> 00:04:30.280 Now look with me at verse 25. 00:04:31.660 --> 00:04:35.540 Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. 00:04:36.160 --> 00:04:42.920 I don't know how many times I have read through Luke chapter 2 and I've not seen Simeon. 00:04:44.060 --> 00:04:45.640 He's just passed my mind. 00:04:46.440 --> 00:04:48.540 We know about the wise men, don't we? 00:04:48.640 --> 00:04:50.440 We've talked a lot about the wise men. 00:04:50.720 --> 00:04:52.340 We know about the shepherds. 00:04:52.880 --> 00:04:54.620 We also know about the angels. 00:04:55.620 --> 00:05:01.500 Every single nativity scene that we have has shepherds, have angels, have wise men, don't they? 00:05:02.340 --> 00:05:04.000 But where in the world is Simeon? 00:05:04.500 --> 00:05:05.660 He's a part of the story. 00:05:06.240 --> 00:05:07.840 We see this in Luke chapter 2. 00:05:08.160 --> 00:05:09.840 In a moment we're going to see Anna. 00:05:10.640 --> 00:05:13.660 Two characters that Luke takes time to point out. 00:05:15.000 --> 00:05:20.860 So there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout. 00:05:21.720 --> 00:05:26.640 Luke makes it a point to bring out his righteousness and that he was devout. 00:05:27.340 --> 00:05:33.660 That Simeon was sure to do the spiritual disciplines that he was to do as a follower of God. 00:05:34.640 --> 00:05:42.280 It says there in Luke that waiting for the constellation of Israel, that Simeon was waiting for the comfort of Israel. 00:05:42.600 --> 00:05:48.340 The constellation was the idea of comfort that the Messiah would bring to the people of God. 00:05:49.520 --> 00:05:52.160 It also says there, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 00:05:53.260 --> 00:05:58.500 See, something was unique with Simeon that already he had the Holy Spirit upon him. 00:05:58.860 --> 00:06:04.460 It wasn't an angel that the Lord sends to Simeon to communicate to him what we're about to read. 00:06:04.460 --> 00:06:05.900 No, it was the Holy Spirit. 00:06:07.380 --> 00:06:08.400 Verse 26. 00:06:08.880 --> 00:06:15.380 And it had been revealed to him, to Simeon, by the Holy Spirit, that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ. 00:06:16.300 --> 00:06:23.240 So the Holy Spirit comes to Simeon and said, listen, you're going to live up until the point that you see Jesus. 00:06:23.920 --> 00:06:27.420 You're going to live up until the point that you see the Messiah. 00:06:28.420 --> 00:06:30.800 And so this is what Simeon is holding on to. 00:06:30.800 --> 00:06:33.360 This is what Simeon is anticipating. 00:06:33.360 --> 00:06:35.640 This is what Simeon is expecting. 00:06:36.900 --> 00:06:40.460 And in verse 27, and he came in the Spirit into the temple. 00:06:41.600 --> 00:06:47.440 And when the parents brought in the child, Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the law. 00:06:47.520 --> 00:06:52.300 Once again, Mary and Joseph were doing what is expected of them and being responsible. 00:06:52.960 --> 00:06:53.620 Verse 28. 00:06:54.160 --> 00:07:05.440 Simeon took him up in his arms and blessed God and said, now as a parent, my mind quickly goes to, that's a little odd. 00:07:06.600 --> 00:07:13.640 How would I approach somebody who walks up to my kid and picks them out of my arms and holds on to them? 00:07:13.760 --> 00:07:14.560 And I don't know them. 00:07:14.940 --> 00:07:19.280 Could you imagine what maybe was going through the minds of Joseph and Mary as that took place? 00:07:19.740 --> 00:07:21.420 Chances are they didn't know Simeon. 00:07:22.160 --> 00:07:28.860 Yet here is Simeon coming up to them, taking, of all people, taking the Christ child out of their arms. 00:07:30.280 --> 00:07:33.440 But yet Mary and Joseph get to witness such an amazing thing. 00:07:33.440 --> 00:07:37.580 As it says, he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said, 00:07:38.540 --> 00:07:42.960 Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace according to your word. 00:07:43.760 --> 00:07:51.540 So at that moment, it comes full circle for Simeon that he realizes that the Holy Spirit had made the promise that he would see the Messiah. 00:07:51.880 --> 00:07:54.740 He would see the Lord's Christ and then he would die. 00:07:55.180 --> 00:07:58.040 But he would hold on to life up until that point. 00:07:58.360 --> 00:08:02.480 And at that very moment, Simeon realizes the time has come. 00:08:03.400 --> 00:08:08.060 I've received the peace of the Lord because I am now in the presence of his son. 00:08:08.180 --> 00:08:09.940 I am now in the presence of the Messiah. 00:08:10.240 --> 00:08:12.680 So what the Lord has promised is going to happen. 00:08:13.760 --> 00:08:18.180 Again, as children of God, you and I see that what God promises God carries out. 00:08:18.940 --> 00:08:19.600 He is faithful. 00:08:21.140 --> 00:08:25.760 But I want us to look very carefully at what Simeon, how he responds in this in verse 30. 00:08:26.340 --> 00:08:29.400 Simeon says, for my eyes have seen your salvation. 00:08:30.740 --> 00:08:32.040 Listen to that for a moment. 00:08:33.400 --> 00:08:37.220 Simeon is not necessarily saying, my eyes are seeing the Messiah. 00:08:37.320 --> 00:08:39.260 My eyes are seeing the Lord's Christ. 00:08:39.260 --> 00:08:40.740 My eyes are seeing Jesus. 00:08:40.920 --> 00:08:44.920 No, he goes further than that because he knows who Jesus is. 00:08:45.240 --> 00:08:47.820 He says, for my eyes have seen your salvation. 00:08:49.460 --> 00:08:55.480 He knew that God's gift of Jesus to the world was salvation for man and for woman. 00:08:56.260 --> 00:08:58.920 That was salvation, the forgiveness of our sins. 00:08:59.300 --> 00:09:01.040 And Simeon recognized that. 00:09:02.160 --> 00:09:04.840 And he expresses that in this song. 00:09:04.980 --> 00:09:12.300 In verse 31, that you have prepared in the presence of all people a light for revelation to the Gentiles. 00:09:13.020 --> 00:09:17.380 Speaking that Jesus would be a light to the Gentiles, would be the message to the Gentiles. 00:09:18.220 --> 00:09:20.180 And for glory to your people Israel. 00:09:21.320 --> 00:09:29.760 And then in verse 33, and his father, Jesus' father and mother, Mary and Joseph, marveled at what was said about him. 00:09:30.760 --> 00:09:33.740 You know, Mary and Joseph knew that Jesus was special, right? 00:09:34.400 --> 00:09:40.900 Because the Lord sends an angel to speak to each one of them individually about the son that they are about to have. 00:09:41.680 --> 00:09:44.700 So they had to know something was special about that, wouldn't you? 00:09:44.700 --> 00:09:51.360 If an angel comes to you and gives you a message of God, wouldn't you kind of realize, okay, there's something big here, right? 00:09:53.180 --> 00:09:56.400 He says, and they marveled at what was said about him from Simeon. 00:09:56.440 --> 00:09:59.420 And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother. 00:09:59.480 --> 00:10:04.960 In verse 34, behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel. 00:10:05.680 --> 00:10:07.500 And for a sign that is opposed. 00:10:07.860 --> 00:10:15.240 And a soul will pierce through your own soul also, so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed. 00:10:17.500 --> 00:10:23.240 Simeon has given them an insight of who Jesus is and what Jesus will bring about to his people. 00:10:24.160 --> 00:10:33.500 And then in verse 36, again, another character that Luke brings into this passage that so often is overlooked. 00:10:34.500 --> 00:10:38.680 Be it an amazing woman, as we see in the description that Luke gives. 00:10:39.960 --> 00:10:44.000 And there was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phenel, of the tribe of Asher. 00:10:44.860 --> 00:10:49.960 She was advanced in years, having lived with her husband seven years from when she was a virgin. 00:10:50.680 --> 00:10:53.100 And then as a widow until she was 84. 00:10:54.360 --> 00:10:58.480 And here's what stands out to me about her in the second part of verse 37. 00:10:58.640 --> 00:11:07.000 Luke says, she did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer day and night. 00:11:07.340 --> 00:11:08.040 Listen to that. 00:11:09.260 --> 00:11:16.000 She did not depart from the temple, but instead, as she stayed there day and night, she worshiped through fasting. 00:11:16.160 --> 00:11:17.560 She worshiped through prayer. 00:11:19.500 --> 00:11:21.980 Can you and I wrap our minds around that? 00:11:23.300 --> 00:11:26.040 That day and night, we would not leave the sanctuary. 00:11:26.340 --> 00:11:28.880 Day and night, we would not leave the temple of the Lord. 00:11:29.260 --> 00:11:35.480 But instead, our presence would be known because we would be worshiping God day in and day out. 00:11:36.060 --> 00:11:41.600 And not only worshiping, but Luke says here in this passage that she also fasted and she prayed. 00:11:41.700 --> 00:11:43.520 It was a constant in her life. 00:11:45.260 --> 00:11:48.120 You know, I know sometimes we're caught looking at our watch. 00:11:48.180 --> 00:11:51.860 There's a clock in front of me and I'm making sure I finish on time, right? 00:11:52.180 --> 00:11:53.540 And we're thinking about where we're going. 00:11:53.620 --> 00:11:59.960 But yet, that element didn't even pass through Anna's mind because she was constant in prayer, 00:12:00.560 --> 00:12:03.440 constant in worship, constant in fasting. 00:12:04.720 --> 00:12:11.120 And as a result of that, we look and see in verse 38, then it coming up at that very hour. 00:12:11.260 --> 00:12:19.900 I can only imagine what that phrase is saying there is that at that very hour in which Mary and Joseph bring Jesus in, 00:12:20.720 --> 00:12:25.860 and at that very hour when Simeon is there in their presence doing what we just read, 00:12:27.220 --> 00:12:29.540 Anna gets to witness all of that in that moment. 00:12:31.760 --> 00:12:34.440 Anna gets to see the Messiah enter the temple. 00:12:35.720 --> 00:12:41.180 Whatever she had heard, whatever she had been taught, her understanding of the scriptures at that point, 00:12:41.280 --> 00:12:46.640 her understanding of the Messiah, her understanding of the birth of Jesus, 00:12:47.240 --> 00:12:49.640 it all comes together in that moment. 00:12:51.200 --> 00:12:54.180 And what it says to you and I is this. 00:12:54.540 --> 00:12:56.700 She began to give thanks to God. 00:12:58.480 --> 00:12:59.600 Can you imagine? 00:13:01.220 --> 00:13:07.780 You've been told that there is a Messiah, God with us, coming to you and your people. 00:13:09.220 --> 00:13:11.680 That there is one who is bringing salvation. 00:13:12.400 --> 00:13:14.280 There is one who is bringing comfort. 00:13:15.480 --> 00:13:19.500 And in that moment, you're in the temple when he is brought in. 00:13:21.440 --> 00:13:23.560 And her response is to give thanks. 00:13:24.920 --> 00:13:26.520 Thanking God for his promise. 00:13:27.780 --> 00:13:30.280 Thanking God that she was right there in that midst. 00:13:32.480 --> 00:13:38.080 How many times when I pray about something, when I'm seeking something and God does it, 00:13:39.080 --> 00:13:44.860 that I move on to the next thing that I want God to do and not stop and be thankful for what God did. 00:13:46.740 --> 00:13:51.960 You know, it's a challenge for me to realize, you know, David, be in the moment that God is there. 00:13:52.820 --> 00:13:54.600 Be in the moment that God delivers. 00:13:55.260 --> 00:13:59.880 And be grateful and be thankful to God for who he is and what he does. 00:14:00.560 --> 00:14:08.220 But not only that, we also continue to read that giving thanks to God, she also spoke of him to all. 00:14:09.140 --> 00:14:14.260 So everybody that's around the temple, everybody that's moving, all the pieces that are going, all the people that are there, 00:14:15.100 --> 00:14:17.500 she is speaking to them about God. 00:14:17.600 --> 00:14:19.780 She is speaking to them about all that she knows. 00:14:19.780 --> 00:14:24.240 And it says, she speaks to all who are waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem. 00:14:25.420 --> 00:14:26.520 Jesus was special. 00:14:26.660 --> 00:14:27.360 We know that. 00:14:27.460 --> 00:14:28.700 We're students of God's word. 00:14:29.100 --> 00:14:30.040 We understand that. 00:14:30.320 --> 00:14:31.200 We see that. 00:14:32.720 --> 00:14:35.440 And in this moment, Anna gets to rejoice. 00:14:37.000 --> 00:14:38.480 And then in verse 39, 00:14:39.760 --> 00:14:44.660 when they had performed, when Mary and Joseph did everything that was a custom for them to do, 00:14:44.700 --> 00:14:46.300 and they carried through with it, 00:14:47.140 --> 00:14:52.220 according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee to their own town of Nazareth. 00:14:53.860 --> 00:14:54.600 In verse 40, 00:14:54.700 --> 00:15:01.480 And the child grew, Jesus grew and became strong, filled with wisdom, and the favor of God was upon him. 00:15:01.560 --> 00:15:04.480 The favor of God was upon him, was upon Jesus. 00:15:04.880 --> 00:15:07.580 We'll look at that more at the last verse, verse 52, 00:15:07.920 --> 00:15:11.920 as basically Luke restates this in a little bit different way. 00:15:12.580 --> 00:15:14.100 But let's keep going in verse 41. 00:15:14.100 --> 00:15:19.500 Now, his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the Passover. 00:15:20.800 --> 00:15:23.940 Mary and Joseph probably didn't just go to the feast of the Passover, 00:15:24.140 --> 00:15:28.200 but they also went to the other two feasts that happened during that year as well. 00:15:28.560 --> 00:15:30.220 Again, they were very obedient. 00:15:30.360 --> 00:15:33.840 They were very faithful in their relationship with the Lord, 00:15:33.900 --> 00:15:36.100 in their understanding of their relationship with the Lord. 00:15:36.480 --> 00:15:39.860 It was a practice for them that they showed Jesus. 00:15:41.400 --> 00:15:45.320 Again, Jesus was not only God in human form, 00:15:45.740 --> 00:15:48.320 His divine aspect, His divine nature, 00:15:49.600 --> 00:15:51.180 but yet Jesus was also human. 00:15:51.520 --> 00:15:53.400 He came as you and I come into the world. 00:15:54.500 --> 00:15:55.140 Verse 42, 00:15:55.140 --> 00:15:57.160 And when He was 12 years old, 00:15:58.000 --> 00:15:59.680 they went up according to the custom. 00:16:00.280 --> 00:16:01.200 In verse 43, 00:16:01.200 --> 00:16:02.640 and when the feast was ended, 00:16:03.380 --> 00:16:04.460 as they were returning, 00:16:05.460 --> 00:16:06.480 the boy Jesus. 00:16:07.380 --> 00:16:08.500 And that caught my attention. 00:16:09.800 --> 00:16:11.300 Luke states it this way. 00:16:11.400 --> 00:16:12.700 Instead of just stating, 00:16:13.420 --> 00:16:14.680 Jesus stayed behind, 00:16:15.360 --> 00:16:15.920 Luke says, 00:16:16.140 --> 00:16:16.640 the boy. 00:16:17.160 --> 00:16:19.600 And it gives us the fact that He's 12 years old. 00:16:20.380 --> 00:16:22.260 Now, the first place my mind went to 00:16:22.260 --> 00:16:23.900 is I started calculating in my head. 00:16:24.280 --> 00:16:25.340 12 years old, 00:16:25.700 --> 00:16:27.340 okay, that means He would be, 00:16:28.300 --> 00:16:28.940 what grade? 00:16:29.320 --> 00:16:30.140 7th grade. 00:16:31.240 --> 00:16:33.140 My youth minister day goes, 00:16:33.660 --> 00:16:35.440 a 7th grade middle school boy? 00:16:35.980 --> 00:16:38.280 Okay, now I get the picture, right? 00:16:38.760 --> 00:16:39.520 Think about it. 00:16:39.820 --> 00:16:40.960 Any teachers in here, 00:16:41.040 --> 00:16:42.280 anybody in the school system, 00:16:42.380 --> 00:16:42.980 any parents, 00:16:43.360 --> 00:16:45.540 any men in here who've been recall, 00:16:45.760 --> 00:16:48.260 can recall their 7th grade year, 00:16:48.980 --> 00:16:51.060 your mind is filled with all kind of things, 00:16:51.100 --> 00:16:51.500 isn't it? 00:16:52.640 --> 00:16:53.360 But yet remember, 00:16:54.320 --> 00:16:56.080 this is God in human form. 00:16:56.720 --> 00:16:57.960 This is divine. 00:16:58.280 --> 00:16:58.780 So yes, 00:16:59.420 --> 00:17:01.240 He's Jesus' human side, 00:17:01.340 --> 00:17:01.820 but yes, 00:17:02.340 --> 00:17:03.760 He's God's divine side. 00:17:04.700 --> 00:17:05.960 When the feast was ended, 00:17:06.040 --> 00:17:06.960 as they were returning, 00:17:07.440 --> 00:17:09.340 the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. 00:17:10.560 --> 00:17:11.880 We don't get any indication, 00:17:11.960 --> 00:17:13.360 or yes we do get an indication, 00:17:13.540 --> 00:17:15.600 that Jesus never told Mary and Joseph 00:17:15.600 --> 00:17:16.340 what He was doing. 00:17:17.580 --> 00:17:19.560 He never said where He had to go, 00:17:19.620 --> 00:17:20.860 and why He had to go there. 00:17:22.400 --> 00:17:23.760 He just stayed behind. 00:17:24.720 --> 00:17:26.100 And off in the distance, 00:17:26.820 --> 00:17:27.500 Mary and Joseph, 00:17:27.620 --> 00:17:28.660 His mom and dad go. 00:17:30.240 --> 00:17:32.800 And it says there in the last part of verse 43, 00:17:33.480 --> 00:17:34.740 His parents did not know it. 00:17:35.740 --> 00:17:36.720 In verse 44, 00:17:36.820 --> 00:17:40.280 but supposing Him to be in the group, 00:17:40.600 --> 00:17:41.820 they went a day's journey. 00:17:42.040 --> 00:17:43.560 So they're traveling for a day. 00:17:45.000 --> 00:17:47.480 Now it's not uncommon that as they travel together, 00:17:47.560 --> 00:17:49.980 it'd be like all of us in this room right now, 00:17:50.060 --> 00:17:52.980 when we decide we want to travel to Atlanta. 00:17:53.240 --> 00:17:54.600 We're going to pray, 00:17:54.760 --> 00:17:55.820 and we're going to get in our cars, 00:17:55.860 --> 00:17:57.220 and we're going to go down to Atlanta. 00:17:57.220 --> 00:17:57.860 Okay? 00:17:59.220 --> 00:18:00.880 Ride with whoever you want to ride with, 00:18:00.940 --> 00:18:02.360 because we all trust each other, right? 00:18:02.400 --> 00:18:03.960 We know each other for the most part. 00:18:04.040 --> 00:18:04.800 We trust each other. 00:18:04.900 --> 00:18:07.240 So ride with whoever you want to ride with. 00:18:07.600 --> 00:18:07.880 Okay? 00:18:09.040 --> 00:18:10.560 Well, that's kind of how it was. 00:18:11.080 --> 00:18:12.160 You travel together, 00:18:12.160 --> 00:18:13.720 because you're traveling with family. 00:18:13.860 --> 00:18:15.280 You're traveling with acquaintances. 00:18:15.940 --> 00:18:18.520 And it didn't bother you where your child may be 00:18:18.520 --> 00:18:20.920 until you go looking for Him. 00:18:22.460 --> 00:18:24.160 But supposing Him to be in the group, 00:18:24.240 --> 00:18:25.120 they went a day's journey, 00:18:25.260 --> 00:18:26.940 but then they began to search for Him 00:18:26.940 --> 00:18:29.340 among their relatives and acquaintances. 00:18:30.720 --> 00:18:32.360 And when they did not find Him, 00:18:33.620 --> 00:18:36.160 uh-oh, where is Jesus? 00:18:36.680 --> 00:18:37.680 Can you imagine that? 00:18:38.000 --> 00:18:39.660 You're the parents, and you lost Jesus? 00:18:40.280 --> 00:18:40.560 You know? 00:18:41.140 --> 00:18:42.680 I might be a little all right 00:18:42.680 --> 00:18:44.480 if I don't see my son for a moment, 00:18:44.640 --> 00:18:46.980 but I've been given the responsibility of Jesus. 00:18:47.160 --> 00:18:48.820 That probably weighs out a little more, 00:18:48.880 --> 00:18:49.500 wouldn't you think? 00:18:49.940 --> 00:18:50.560 And they look around. 00:18:50.640 --> 00:18:51.880 It's like, where is He? 00:18:53.660 --> 00:18:54.480 And when they did not, 00:18:54.640 --> 00:18:55.320 in verse 45, 00:18:55.520 --> 00:18:56.800 and when they did not find Him, 00:18:56.860 --> 00:18:58.120 they returned to Jerusalem 00:18:58.120 --> 00:18:59.780 searching for Him. 00:19:01.920 --> 00:19:03.540 And listen to this, verse 46, 00:19:03.720 --> 00:19:05.180 after three days. 00:19:07.460 --> 00:19:09.960 Man, I can't imagine. 00:19:11.380 --> 00:19:12.720 You know, I've had those moments 00:19:12.720 --> 00:19:13.900 in the department store, 00:19:14.020 --> 00:19:15.380 in the Walmart, wherever, 00:19:15.980 --> 00:19:17.840 and I can't see one of my sons 00:19:17.840 --> 00:19:18.980 back when they were young, 00:19:19.160 --> 00:19:20.760 and your heart just sinks. 00:19:20.840 --> 00:19:21.800 It just drops. 00:19:23.720 --> 00:19:24.160 I mean, 00:19:24.420 --> 00:19:26.560 I recall a time when, 00:19:26.580 --> 00:19:26.900 um, 00:19:28.420 --> 00:19:30.460 Mike and Jennifer might remember this. 00:19:30.800 --> 00:19:32.660 Mike and Jennifer had gone with me 00:19:32.660 --> 00:19:33.900 to Montreal, Canada. 00:19:34.020 --> 00:19:35.180 We took a group of students. 00:19:35.320 --> 00:19:36.280 It was, I think, 00:19:36.320 --> 00:19:37.940 my second trip here. 00:19:38.420 --> 00:19:40.000 We took a group of students 00:19:40.000 --> 00:19:42.520 to Montreal for a mission trip. 00:19:43.300 --> 00:19:45.600 And all my years of youth ministry, 00:19:46.080 --> 00:19:46.900 man, I just became 00:19:46.900 --> 00:19:48.360 a professional head counter. 00:19:48.700 --> 00:19:50.100 I mean, if we were on a bus, 00:19:50.180 --> 00:19:51.020 we were on vans, 00:19:51.460 --> 00:19:52.420 it's just natural. 00:19:52.540 --> 00:19:53.640 You leave with 50, 00:19:53.700 --> 00:19:54.780 you return with 50. 00:19:54.860 --> 00:19:56.020 No more, no less. 00:19:56.660 --> 00:19:57.660 If you return with less, 00:19:57.760 --> 00:19:58.140 oh no. 00:19:58.200 --> 00:19:59.160 If you return with more, 00:19:59.880 --> 00:20:00.740 oh no. 00:20:01.240 --> 00:20:02.880 But you always counted heads. 00:20:03.180 --> 00:20:03.400 You know, 00:20:03.460 --> 00:20:04.480 it's just what you did. 00:20:04.600 --> 00:20:04.900 No matter, 00:20:05.300 --> 00:20:06.340 however many stops, 00:20:07.080 --> 00:20:08.060 calling a van ahead. 00:20:08.140 --> 00:20:09.020 You got your 15, 00:20:09.200 --> 00:20:10.000 you got your 13, 00:20:10.120 --> 00:20:10.980 you got your 12. 00:20:11.740 --> 00:20:12.620 You just made sure. 00:20:13.100 --> 00:20:13.760 I remember when, 00:20:13.900 --> 00:20:14.480 in Montreal, 00:20:14.760 --> 00:20:14.880 we, 00:20:15.240 --> 00:20:16.920 we were walking on a Wednesday. 00:20:17.020 --> 00:20:18.160 We had the Wednesday off, 00:20:18.280 --> 00:20:19.440 and I counted heads. 00:20:19.500 --> 00:20:20.280 We were ready to leave. 00:20:20.340 --> 00:20:21.140 We stopped and got a drink. 00:20:21.240 --> 00:20:21.940 Counted heads. 00:20:22.760 --> 00:20:23.740 Made sure everybody was good. 00:20:23.740 --> 00:20:24.500 We're good to go. 00:20:24.560 --> 00:20:25.000 Let's go. 00:20:26.040 --> 00:20:27.480 And as soon as we counted heads, 00:20:27.520 --> 00:20:28.460 and I turned my back, 00:20:28.460 --> 00:20:29.480 I didn't notice that 00:20:29.480 --> 00:20:30.900 one of them had slipped away. 00:20:30.980 --> 00:20:31.940 After we had already said, 00:20:32.020 --> 00:20:32.640 go to the restroom, 00:20:32.920 --> 00:20:33.800 everybody go to the restroom, 00:20:34.400 --> 00:20:35.540 one of them slips away 00:20:35.540 --> 00:20:36.240 to the restroom, 00:20:36.620 --> 00:20:37.320 and we're out. 00:20:38.000 --> 00:20:38.960 Now we're in Montreal. 00:20:39.200 --> 00:20:40.300 Nobody knows where we are. 00:20:40.700 --> 00:20:40.920 I mean, 00:20:40.980 --> 00:20:41.620 this is the first time 00:20:41.620 --> 00:20:42.500 we've ever been there together. 00:20:42.840 --> 00:20:43.440 And we're walking 00:20:43.440 --> 00:20:44.380 the streets of Montreal. 00:20:45.020 --> 00:20:47.140 We had probably gone 30 yards, 00:20:47.920 --> 00:20:48.960 and this student comes 00:20:48.960 --> 00:20:50.160 running up behind me, 00:20:50.260 --> 00:20:51.940 panning with this fear 00:20:51.940 --> 00:20:52.440 in his face, 00:20:52.480 --> 00:20:52.740 and goes, 00:20:52.980 --> 00:20:53.760 you left me. 00:20:53.860 --> 00:20:53.980 I went, 00:20:54.220 --> 00:20:55.280 what do you mean we left you? 00:20:55.320 --> 00:20:56.020 Where were you? 00:20:56.280 --> 00:20:56.940 We counted. 00:20:57.320 --> 00:20:57.460 Well, 00:20:57.460 --> 00:20:58.340 I had to go to the bathroom. 00:20:58.900 --> 00:20:59.600 So you go through 00:20:59.600 --> 00:21:00.340 all that story. 00:21:00.420 --> 00:21:01.380 Just the fear 00:21:01.380 --> 00:21:02.940 of realizing 00:21:02.940 --> 00:21:04.380 you've left somebody. 00:21:04.460 --> 00:21:05.400 I can only imagine 00:21:05.400 --> 00:21:06.720 what Mary and Joseph 00:21:06.720 --> 00:21:07.780 were thinking and feeling. 00:21:09.140 --> 00:21:10.300 So after three days, 00:21:10.360 --> 00:21:11.000 they found him. 00:21:12.000 --> 00:21:13.040 They searched everywhere. 00:21:14.080 --> 00:21:15.140 The place they found him 00:21:15.140 --> 00:21:15.800 was in the temple. 00:21:17.260 --> 00:21:18.560 And listen to these words. 00:21:19.020 --> 00:21:19.480 Students, 00:21:19.800 --> 00:21:20.120 kids, 00:21:20.720 --> 00:21:21.620 listen to this. 00:21:22.980 --> 00:21:23.440 adults, 00:21:23.440 --> 00:21:23.440 adults, 00:21:23.440 --> 00:21:26.400 sitting among the teachers. 00:21:27.940 --> 00:21:29.240 Sitting among the ones 00:21:29.240 --> 00:21:30.520 who were telling stories 00:21:30.520 --> 00:21:32.440 that we now call 00:21:32.440 --> 00:21:33.260 the Old Testament. 00:21:35.300 --> 00:21:36.600 Teaching about 00:21:36.600 --> 00:21:38.400 what the relationship 00:21:38.400 --> 00:21:39.720 of God was 00:21:39.720 --> 00:21:40.380 with the children 00:21:40.380 --> 00:21:40.900 of Israel 00:21:40.900 --> 00:21:41.620 and the exes. 00:21:41.700 --> 00:21:42.680 All those things 00:21:42.680 --> 00:21:43.940 that they would sit 00:21:43.940 --> 00:21:44.760 among each other 00:21:44.760 --> 00:21:45.460 and talk about 00:21:45.460 --> 00:21:46.240 and teach about. 00:21:47.840 --> 00:21:48.920 Not only that, 00:21:49.000 --> 00:21:49.600 but Luke makes 00:21:49.600 --> 00:21:50.400 a point that says 00:21:50.400 --> 00:21:51.380 that Jesus 00:21:51.380 --> 00:21:52.800 was also listening 00:21:52.800 --> 00:21:54.240 to them. 00:21:55.300 --> 00:21:56.200 Not only sitting 00:21:56.200 --> 00:21:56.960 in their midst, 00:21:57.680 --> 00:21:58.720 but listening 00:21:58.720 --> 00:22:00.480 at every word 00:22:00.480 --> 00:22:01.740 they have to say. 00:22:03.120 --> 00:22:04.420 And I get that picture 00:22:04.420 --> 00:22:04.860 of Jesus 00:22:04.860 --> 00:22:05.620 just sitting 00:22:05.620 --> 00:22:07.300 maybe with his elbows 00:22:07.300 --> 00:22:08.220 on his knees 00:22:08.220 --> 00:22:09.440 looking them in the eye 00:22:09.440 --> 00:22:10.660 and just hearing 00:22:10.660 --> 00:22:12.320 all that they're saying. 00:22:13.760 --> 00:22:14.480 Same time, 00:22:14.540 --> 00:22:15.060 he's God. 00:22:16.560 --> 00:22:17.260 Yet he's sitting 00:22:17.260 --> 00:22:17.840 and listening 00:22:17.840 --> 00:22:18.800 to what they're saying. 00:22:20.120 --> 00:22:21.080 Luke also says 00:22:21.080 --> 00:22:22.500 to us in this verse 00:22:22.500 --> 00:22:24.400 in asking them questions. 00:22:25.760 --> 00:22:26.160 Man, 00:22:26.240 --> 00:22:27.140 wouldn't it be great? 00:22:27.280 --> 00:22:28.060 This is one of those, 00:22:28.220 --> 00:22:29.160 when I read this 00:22:29.160 --> 00:22:29.680 in scriptures, 00:22:30.320 --> 00:22:31.500 it's where my mind goes, 00:22:31.860 --> 00:22:32.020 Lord, 00:22:32.120 --> 00:22:33.000 why didn't you just 00:22:33.000 --> 00:22:34.520 give us a few more chapters? 00:22:35.680 --> 00:22:36.380 Why didn't you just 00:22:36.380 --> 00:22:37.700 give us a few more chapters 00:22:37.700 --> 00:22:39.200 of what Jesus' life 00:22:39.200 --> 00:22:39.700 was like? 00:22:39.940 --> 00:22:41.020 Maybe the questions 00:22:41.020 --> 00:22:42.680 that he asked these 00:22:42.680 --> 00:22:43.560 that he stood among. 00:22:44.440 --> 00:22:45.300 For whatever reason, 00:22:45.380 --> 00:22:45.980 Jesus doesn't. 00:22:46.100 --> 00:22:46.700 God doesn't. 00:22:47.700 --> 00:22:48.980 But Jesus is asking questions. 00:22:49.100 --> 00:22:50.580 Verse 43, 47. 00:22:52.260 --> 00:22:53.640 And all who heard him 00:22:53.640 --> 00:22:54.480 were amazed 00:22:54.480 --> 00:22:55.380 at his understanding 00:22:55.380 --> 00:22:56.100 and his answers. 00:22:56.780 --> 00:22:57.520 We know why 00:22:57.520 --> 00:22:58.580 they were amazed. 00:22:59.660 --> 00:23:01.160 Because God was sitting 00:23:01.160 --> 00:23:01.980 in their midst. 00:23:02.120 --> 00:23:03.400 in the form of Jesus. 00:23:03.760 --> 00:23:04.620 We know that. 00:23:04.740 --> 00:23:06.020 They did not realize that. 00:23:06.940 --> 00:23:08.180 And they were amazed 00:23:08.180 --> 00:23:09.180 at who he was. 00:23:09.620 --> 00:23:10.320 Verse 48. 00:23:11.100 --> 00:23:11.780 And when his parents 00:23:11.780 --> 00:23:12.380 saw him, 00:23:12.460 --> 00:23:13.460 they were astonished. 00:23:14.740 --> 00:23:16.160 And his mother said to him, 00:23:16.260 --> 00:23:16.560 Son, 00:23:16.900 --> 00:23:18.960 why have you treated us 00:23:18.960 --> 00:23:19.920 so? 00:23:21.260 --> 00:23:21.540 Now, 00:23:21.620 --> 00:23:22.460 I don't know about you, 00:23:22.700 --> 00:23:23.220 parent, 00:23:23.860 --> 00:23:25.360 but I've had those moments 00:23:25.360 --> 00:23:26.360 run through my head 00:23:26.360 --> 00:23:26.680 thinking, 00:23:26.860 --> 00:23:27.060 you know, 00:23:27.340 --> 00:23:29.040 why are you acting this way? 00:23:30.720 --> 00:23:32.320 Why are you acting this way? 00:23:33.120 --> 00:23:34.840 I know how we've taught you. 00:23:35.360 --> 00:23:36.660 I know how we've tried 00:23:36.660 --> 00:23:37.680 to guide you. 00:23:39.340 --> 00:23:40.560 Why are you doing this? 00:23:41.560 --> 00:23:42.300 There's that moment 00:23:42.300 --> 00:23:43.120 that she has 00:23:43.120 --> 00:23:44.380 with Jesus as well. 00:23:44.760 --> 00:23:46.000 She goes on to say even, 00:23:46.400 --> 00:23:46.740 behold, 00:23:46.840 --> 00:23:47.520 your father and I 00:23:47.520 --> 00:23:48.720 have been searching for you 00:23:48.720 --> 00:23:49.780 in great distress. 00:23:50.500 --> 00:23:51.800 You've stressed us out. 00:23:53.180 --> 00:23:54.180 I know as a parent, 00:23:54.280 --> 00:23:55.300 I've been stressed out 00:23:55.300 --> 00:23:56.740 by my sons. 00:23:57.980 --> 00:23:58.220 I mean, 00:23:58.280 --> 00:23:58.900 if you're a parent, 00:23:59.020 --> 00:24:00.300 at some moment in your life, 00:24:00.360 --> 00:24:01.560 you have been stressed out 00:24:01.560 --> 00:24:02.360 by your kids. 00:24:02.800 --> 00:24:03.480 If not, 00:24:03.600 --> 00:24:04.380 it will happen. 00:24:05.040 --> 00:24:05.280 Okay? 00:24:05.480 --> 00:24:06.480 It will happen. 00:24:06.840 --> 00:24:07.440 If not, 00:24:07.580 --> 00:24:08.840 I want to sit down with you 00:24:08.840 --> 00:24:09.840 and know what you've done 00:24:09.840 --> 00:24:11.040 because I want to share that 00:24:11.040 --> 00:24:12.220 with a bunch of other parents 00:24:12.220 --> 00:24:12.800 coming along 00:24:12.800 --> 00:24:14.180 because they need to hear it. 00:24:15.300 --> 00:24:16.180 But can you imagine 00:24:16.180 --> 00:24:17.280 what Mary and Joseph, 00:24:17.460 --> 00:24:18.860 we see what they were experiencing. 00:24:18.860 --> 00:24:19.720 Verse 49. 00:24:20.720 --> 00:24:21.960 And he said to them, 00:24:22.480 --> 00:24:24.340 and when I read this, 00:24:24.440 --> 00:24:25.740 I don't read this 00:24:25.740 --> 00:24:27.520 as if Jesus was being boastful. 00:24:28.080 --> 00:24:29.320 I don't read this 00:24:29.320 --> 00:24:31.400 as if Jesus was being disrespectful. 00:24:32.640 --> 00:24:33.640 I read this 00:24:33.640 --> 00:24:35.080 because Jesus knew 00:24:35.080 --> 00:24:36.480 what he needed to do. 00:24:37.440 --> 00:24:38.220 Verse 49. 00:24:38.320 --> 00:24:39.100 And he said to them, 00:24:39.400 --> 00:24:40.960 why were you looking for me? 00:24:43.420 --> 00:24:44.940 As if they should know, 00:24:45.820 --> 00:24:46.800 they should know 00:24:46.800 --> 00:24:48.240 that Jesus will be at the temple. 00:24:49.560 --> 00:24:50.820 And then Jesus says, 00:24:51.020 --> 00:24:52.260 did you not know 00:24:52.260 --> 00:24:53.160 that I must be 00:24:53.160 --> 00:24:54.860 in my father's house? 00:24:56.760 --> 00:24:57.580 Mom, dad, 00:24:57.680 --> 00:24:58.900 why are you surprised? 00:25:00.400 --> 00:25:01.640 Why are you surprised 00:25:01.640 --> 00:25:02.620 that you would find me 00:25:02.620 --> 00:25:03.460 of all places 00:25:03.460 --> 00:25:04.220 sitting here 00:25:04.220 --> 00:25:05.360 in the temple? 00:25:06.460 --> 00:25:08.660 Listen to what it says there 00:25:08.660 --> 00:25:10.020 in your translation, 00:25:10.140 --> 00:25:11.100 hopefully your translation, 00:25:11.700 --> 00:25:12.480 the word father 00:25:12.480 --> 00:25:13.480 is capitalized, 00:25:13.580 --> 00:25:14.400 showing you and I 00:25:14.400 --> 00:25:15.660 that his mention 00:25:15.660 --> 00:25:16.560 of father here 00:25:16.560 --> 00:25:18.140 is father God, 00:25:18.860 --> 00:25:20.580 not father Joseph. 00:25:21.960 --> 00:25:23.420 He is talking about 00:25:23.420 --> 00:25:24.720 his creator. 00:25:24.900 --> 00:25:25.740 He is talking about 00:25:25.740 --> 00:25:26.720 God the father. 00:25:28.420 --> 00:25:29.400 Did you not know 00:25:29.400 --> 00:25:30.160 that I must be 00:25:30.160 --> 00:25:31.900 in my father's house? 00:25:34.700 --> 00:25:36.240 And they did not understand 00:25:36.240 --> 00:25:36.780 the saying 00:25:36.780 --> 00:25:37.760 that he spoke to them. 00:25:38.680 --> 00:25:39.120 Again, 00:25:39.240 --> 00:25:39.660 they're just, 00:25:40.800 --> 00:25:41.080 you know, 00:25:41.080 --> 00:25:42.260 even like young parents, 00:25:42.440 --> 00:25:43.180 you're trying 00:25:43.180 --> 00:25:44.000 to figure it out. 00:25:44.740 --> 00:25:45.540 You're trying to do, 00:25:45.580 --> 00:25:46.140 what do I do 00:25:46.140 --> 00:25:47.080 with what I have 00:25:47.080 --> 00:25:48.020 in my hands now? 00:25:48.980 --> 00:25:49.640 And then, 00:25:49.740 --> 00:25:49.980 you know, 00:25:50.060 --> 00:25:50.940 nine years old, 00:25:51.000 --> 00:25:51.700 what am I supposed 00:25:51.700 --> 00:25:52.260 to do now? 00:25:52.800 --> 00:25:53.200 Teenager, 00:25:53.360 --> 00:25:53.640 what am I, 00:25:53.700 --> 00:25:54.200 20 year old, 00:25:54.240 --> 00:25:54.560 what am I, 00:25:54.620 --> 00:25:55.180 what am I supposed 00:25:55.180 --> 00:25:55.700 to do now? 00:25:59.200 --> 00:25:59.960 And they did not 00:25:59.960 --> 00:26:00.960 understand the saying 00:26:00.960 --> 00:26:01.980 that he spoke to them. 00:26:02.520 --> 00:26:03.320 Verse 51, 00:26:03.820 --> 00:26:04.200 And he, 00:26:04.360 --> 00:26:04.620 Jesus, 00:26:04.760 --> 00:26:05.760 went down with them 00:26:05.760 --> 00:26:07.420 and came to Nazareth 00:26:07.420 --> 00:26:09.560 and was submissive 00:26:09.560 --> 00:26:10.300 to them. 00:26:11.380 --> 00:26:11.900 Students, 00:26:12.140 --> 00:26:12.520 parents, 00:26:13.460 --> 00:26:14.180 I mean students, 00:26:14.480 --> 00:26:14.840 kids, 00:26:16.420 --> 00:26:18.300 Jesus was submissive 00:26:18.300 --> 00:26:20.640 to his earthly parents. 00:26:22.240 --> 00:26:22.720 Adults, 00:26:23.560 --> 00:26:24.180 if your parents 00:26:24.180 --> 00:26:24.920 are still living, 00:26:25.080 --> 00:26:25.720 there's moments 00:26:25.720 --> 00:26:26.320 that you need 00:26:26.320 --> 00:26:27.260 to be submissive 00:26:27.260 --> 00:26:28.980 to your mom and dad. 00:26:29.200 --> 00:26:30.200 It doesn't change. 00:26:32.020 --> 00:26:32.860 And then we see 00:26:32.860 --> 00:26:34.160 in the last part of 51, 00:26:34.680 --> 00:26:35.340 and his mother 00:26:35.340 --> 00:26:36.040 treasured up 00:26:36.040 --> 00:26:36.860 all these things 00:26:36.860 --> 00:26:37.360 in her heart. 00:26:37.740 --> 00:26:37.940 You know, 00:26:37.960 --> 00:26:38.380 we get that, 00:26:38.640 --> 00:26:39.760 we see that beautiful 00:26:39.760 --> 00:26:41.660 saying again earlier 00:26:41.660 --> 00:26:43.720 where Mary pondered 00:26:43.720 --> 00:26:45.080 what had happened 00:26:45.080 --> 00:26:46.240 with what she was 00:26:46.240 --> 00:26:46.940 a part of. 00:26:47.800 --> 00:26:48.100 You know, 00:26:48.100 --> 00:26:49.160 Mary storing up 00:26:49.160 --> 00:26:50.460 all these thoughts, 00:26:50.900 --> 00:26:52.060 all these emotions, 00:26:52.440 --> 00:26:53.500 holding on to them, 00:26:53.600 --> 00:26:54.440 learning from them 00:26:54.440 --> 00:26:56.060 because God has done 00:26:56.060 --> 00:26:57.120 something special 00:26:57.120 --> 00:26:57.800 in her life. 00:26:58.300 --> 00:26:59.140 we see it 00:26:59.140 --> 00:26:59.660 in the scriptures 00:26:59.660 --> 00:27:00.420 that God says, 00:27:00.540 --> 00:27:01.560 you are my favored one. 00:27:01.640 --> 00:27:01.800 Mary, 00:27:01.880 --> 00:27:02.560 you are favored. 00:27:02.900 --> 00:27:03.780 That's why I'm coming 00:27:03.780 --> 00:27:04.200 to you. 00:27:04.680 --> 00:27:05.700 Something special 00:27:05.700 --> 00:27:07.140 that Mary is experiencing 00:27:07.140 --> 00:27:08.500 all every step 00:27:08.500 --> 00:27:08.980 of the way. 00:27:10.800 --> 00:27:11.460 Last Sunday, 00:27:11.580 --> 00:27:12.040 we laughed. 00:27:12.120 --> 00:27:12.520 I don't remember 00:27:12.520 --> 00:27:13.000 who it was 00:27:13.000 --> 00:27:14.040 I was laughing with 00:27:14.040 --> 00:27:14.420 about, 00:27:14.980 --> 00:27:15.280 you know, 00:27:15.340 --> 00:27:16.200 I've got a brother 00:27:16.200 --> 00:27:17.020 that's 10 years 00:27:17.020 --> 00:27:17.640 older than me, 00:27:17.700 --> 00:27:19.640 so he's 64 years old 00:27:19.640 --> 00:27:21.860 and growing up, 00:27:21.920 --> 00:27:22.060 man, 00:27:22.100 --> 00:27:22.980 I saw all about 00:27:22.980 --> 00:27:23.520 his life. 00:27:23.820 --> 00:27:23.920 I mean, 00:27:23.960 --> 00:27:24.840 I saw pictures, 00:27:24.960 --> 00:27:25.560 black and whites, 00:27:25.720 --> 00:27:25.940 you know, 00:27:26.020 --> 00:27:26.680 that's basically 00:27:26.680 --> 00:27:27.280 what it was. 00:27:27.820 --> 00:27:28.040 You know, 00:27:28.080 --> 00:27:28.660 even there's black 00:27:28.660 --> 00:27:29.280 and whites of me, 00:27:29.340 --> 00:27:29.840 that shows you 00:27:29.840 --> 00:27:30.580 how old I am. 00:27:31.120 --> 00:27:31.340 You know, 00:27:31.420 --> 00:27:32.360 black and whites 00:27:32.360 --> 00:27:32.700 of him, 00:27:32.780 --> 00:27:33.460 lots of them. 00:27:33.860 --> 00:27:34.500 My sister, 00:27:34.760 --> 00:27:35.660 maybe a little less 00:27:35.660 --> 00:27:36.320 photographs. 00:27:37.720 --> 00:27:38.000 Me, 00:27:39.360 --> 00:27:40.120 brother might have 00:27:40.120 --> 00:27:40.920 had 10 albums 00:27:40.920 --> 00:27:41.660 filled with pictures 00:27:41.660 --> 00:27:42.040 of him. 00:27:42.360 --> 00:27:43.120 I got lucky 00:27:43.120 --> 00:27:44.420 if I got three-fourths 00:27:44.420 --> 00:27:45.020 through an album. 00:27:45.180 --> 00:27:45.800 You know what I'm saying? 00:27:45.900 --> 00:27:46.320 It's just, 00:27:46.740 --> 00:27:47.040 you know, 00:27:47.120 --> 00:27:48.500 the more kids 00:27:48.500 --> 00:27:49.360 that come along. 00:27:51.180 --> 00:27:52.040 But Mary pondered 00:27:52.040 --> 00:27:53.100 all these things 00:27:53.100 --> 00:27:53.360 up, 00:27:53.600 --> 00:27:54.940 not wanting to forget 00:27:54.940 --> 00:27:56.360 what she was experiencing. 00:27:59.300 --> 00:28:00.780 But in verse 52, 00:28:01.720 --> 00:28:02.680 Luke kind of brings 00:28:02.680 --> 00:28:03.580 it all together. 00:28:04.940 --> 00:28:06.320 These 12 years 00:28:06.320 --> 00:28:07.780 of Jesus' early life, 00:28:07.840 --> 00:28:08.440 and I really 00:28:08.440 --> 00:28:09.740 lend to think 00:28:09.740 --> 00:28:11.800 that in verse 52, 00:28:12.360 --> 00:28:13.240 Luke is also 00:28:13.240 --> 00:28:14.020 thinking about 00:28:14.020 --> 00:28:15.360 all the years 00:28:15.360 --> 00:28:15.920 in between, 00:28:16.100 --> 00:28:17.580 from age 12 00:28:17.580 --> 00:28:18.340 to when Jesus 00:28:18.340 --> 00:28:19.380 began his ministry 00:28:19.380 --> 00:28:20.220 at age 30. 00:28:21.840 --> 00:28:22.880 It culminates that 00:28:22.880 --> 00:28:23.800 in verse 52, 00:28:24.040 --> 00:28:24.460 and it says, 00:28:24.620 --> 00:28:25.500 and Jesus increased 00:28:25.500 --> 00:28:26.160 in wisdom 00:28:26.160 --> 00:28:27.860 and in stature 00:28:27.860 --> 00:28:29.260 and in favor 00:28:29.260 --> 00:28:30.280 with God and man. 00:28:33.040 --> 00:28:33.960 That's the verse 00:28:33.960 --> 00:28:34.440 right there 00:28:34.440 --> 00:28:35.020 that just kind of 00:28:35.020 --> 00:28:36.200 brings me to a place 00:28:36.200 --> 00:28:36.600 to go, 00:28:36.720 --> 00:28:37.080 okay, 00:28:38.000 --> 00:28:39.800 all that you just 00:28:39.800 --> 00:28:40.400 read, Dave, 00:28:40.460 --> 00:28:41.220 here's the one 00:28:41.220 --> 00:28:42.060 that's really getting. 00:28:42.360 --> 00:28:43.760 To a point for you 00:28:43.760 --> 00:28:45.800 and to a point 00:28:45.800 --> 00:28:46.720 for all of us. 00:28:50.720 --> 00:28:52.620 If Jesus is our example, 00:28:52.720 --> 00:28:54.020 which I believe he is, 00:28:54.580 --> 00:28:55.800 and scripture tells us 00:28:55.800 --> 00:28:56.520 that he is, 00:28:57.520 --> 00:28:59.500 how am I doing 00:28:59.500 --> 00:29:00.500 in those areas 00:29:00.500 --> 00:29:01.580 in my life? 00:29:02.240 --> 00:29:03.460 Most specifically, 00:29:03.680 --> 00:29:04.660 the area of wisdom, 00:29:04.980 --> 00:29:05.640 favor of God, 00:29:05.720 --> 00:29:06.540 and favor of man. 00:29:08.040 --> 00:29:08.820 And that's where 00:29:08.820 --> 00:29:09.680 I want to leave us 00:29:09.680 --> 00:29:10.480 this morning 00:29:10.480 --> 00:29:11.340 is with that. 00:29:12.860 --> 00:29:13.200 You see, 00:29:13.540 --> 00:29:14.340 Jesus grew, 00:29:14.480 --> 00:29:15.180 as Luke says, 00:29:15.280 --> 00:29:16.060 Jesus grew 00:29:16.060 --> 00:29:17.100 in wisdom. 00:29:18.440 --> 00:29:19.340 Jesus' wisdom 00:29:19.340 --> 00:29:20.580 grew in his understanding 00:29:20.580 --> 00:29:21.860 of humanity, 00:29:22.300 --> 00:29:22.860 the humanity 00:29:22.860 --> 00:29:24.120 that he walked among, 00:29:24.220 --> 00:29:25.220 that he lived with. 00:29:25.400 --> 00:29:26.580 He grew in his wisdom 00:29:26.580 --> 00:29:27.300 and understanding 00:29:27.300 --> 00:29:27.840 of that. 00:29:29.040 --> 00:29:30.120 But more importantly, 00:29:30.400 --> 00:29:31.620 he grew in his wisdom 00:29:31.620 --> 00:29:32.460 and understanding 00:29:32.460 --> 00:29:33.200 of the things 00:29:33.200 --> 00:29:33.900 of his father, 00:29:34.080 --> 00:29:34.440 God. 00:29:36.000 --> 00:29:36.640 We see that 00:29:36.640 --> 00:29:37.420 because he's set 00:29:37.420 --> 00:29:38.180 among the teachers 00:29:38.180 --> 00:29:38.520 learning. 00:29:38.920 --> 00:29:39.420 I don't think 00:29:39.420 --> 00:29:40.020 that aspect 00:29:40.020 --> 00:29:40.880 ever changed 00:29:40.880 --> 00:29:41.380 with Jesus. 00:29:42.700 --> 00:29:43.760 Why do I believe that? 00:29:43.820 --> 00:29:45.600 Because Jesus is God. 00:29:45.700 --> 00:29:46.640 There is not an aspect 00:29:46.640 --> 00:29:47.220 about him 00:29:47.220 --> 00:29:47.920 that changes. 00:29:49.380 --> 00:29:50.380 It would be safe 00:29:50.380 --> 00:29:51.000 to say that 00:29:51.000 --> 00:29:51.620 the character 00:29:51.620 --> 00:29:52.940 and attributes 00:29:52.940 --> 00:29:54.120 and the attitudes 00:29:54.120 --> 00:29:55.380 of who Jesus was 00:29:55.380 --> 00:29:56.160 at age 12 00:29:56.160 --> 00:29:57.360 were the very same 00:29:57.360 --> 00:29:58.580 ones of him 00:29:58.580 --> 00:29:59.520 at age 30 00:29:59.520 --> 00:30:00.160 when he began 00:30:00.160 --> 00:30:00.740 his ministry 00:30:00.740 --> 00:30:01.960 because he was 00:30:01.960 --> 00:30:02.860 who he was, 00:30:02.900 --> 00:30:04.540 he is who he is. 00:30:05.900 --> 00:30:07.140 He grew in wisdom. 00:30:08.440 --> 00:30:09.840 So I ask myself, 00:30:10.580 --> 00:30:11.340 David, 00:30:11.420 --> 00:30:12.100 are you growing 00:30:12.100 --> 00:30:12.760 in wisdom? 00:30:15.220 --> 00:30:16.880 Are you wiser today 00:30:16.880 --> 00:30:17.600 than you were 00:30:17.600 --> 00:30:18.800 three months ago? 00:30:19.380 --> 00:30:21.400 Are you wiser today 00:30:21.400 --> 00:30:21.960 than you were 00:30:21.960 --> 00:30:23.140 five years ago? 00:30:23.420 --> 00:30:24.620 Or are you stumbling 00:30:24.620 --> 00:30:26.160 over the same things 00:30:26.160 --> 00:30:27.260 humanly 00:30:27.260 --> 00:30:28.580 as well as spiritually 00:30:28.580 --> 00:30:29.860 that you've stumbled 00:30:29.860 --> 00:30:30.780 over before? 00:30:32.020 --> 00:30:32.900 And so I have to 00:30:32.900 --> 00:30:33.820 evaluate and ask 00:30:33.820 --> 00:30:34.880 myself honestly, 00:30:35.100 --> 00:30:36.460 where am I growing 00:30:36.460 --> 00:30:37.320 in my wisdom? 00:30:37.500 --> 00:30:38.960 If Jesus grows 00:30:38.960 --> 00:30:39.680 in his wisdom, 00:30:40.180 --> 00:30:41.460 why shouldn't I? 00:30:43.600 --> 00:30:44.280 And it says, 00:30:44.420 --> 00:30:45.040 Jesus grew 00:30:45.040 --> 00:30:46.320 in favor with God 00:30:46.320 --> 00:30:48.560 over the last, 00:30:48.780 --> 00:30:49.460 I don't know, 00:30:49.520 --> 00:30:50.500 maybe about a year, 00:30:51.140 --> 00:30:52.220 the whole idea 00:30:52.220 --> 00:30:53.780 of God's favor 00:30:53.780 --> 00:30:54.140 just, 00:30:54.220 --> 00:30:54.840 it just seems 00:30:54.840 --> 00:30:55.840 to keep popping up 00:30:55.840 --> 00:30:56.400 in scripture 00:30:56.400 --> 00:30:57.140 and popping up 00:30:57.140 --> 00:30:58.140 on things that I hear. 00:30:58.860 --> 00:30:59.440 And it's like, 00:30:59.500 --> 00:30:59.760 you know, 00:30:59.760 --> 00:31:01.380 God brings favor 00:31:01.380 --> 00:31:02.680 on his people. 00:31:04.060 --> 00:31:05.460 Do you realize that? 00:31:07.300 --> 00:31:08.320 Even though it says 00:31:08.320 --> 00:31:09.160 this about Jesus, 00:31:09.260 --> 00:31:10.240 it says in multiple 00:31:10.240 --> 00:31:11.100 places in the scripture 00:31:11.100 --> 00:31:12.340 that God brings 00:31:12.340 --> 00:31:13.640 his favor on others. 00:31:14.480 --> 00:31:15.560 That God can bring 00:31:15.560 --> 00:31:16.840 his favor on you. 00:31:17.720 --> 00:31:17.980 Now, 00:31:18.020 --> 00:31:18.960 I don't completely 00:31:18.960 --> 00:31:20.740 understand that, 00:31:20.800 --> 00:31:21.540 100%. 00:31:21.540 --> 00:31:22.460 I've not wrapped 00:31:22.460 --> 00:31:23.360 my mind fully 00:31:23.360 --> 00:31:24.360 around God's favor 00:31:24.360 --> 00:31:25.400 and how that comes 00:31:25.400 --> 00:31:26.120 to you and I 00:31:26.120 --> 00:31:27.340 as followers of Christ, 00:31:27.720 --> 00:31:28.760 but I know it 00:31:28.760 --> 00:31:30.220 from what I read 00:31:30.220 --> 00:31:30.660 in scripture. 00:31:31.160 --> 00:31:32.400 It's not favoritism. 00:31:34.020 --> 00:31:34.480 It's like, 00:31:34.860 --> 00:31:36.140 God doesn't love me 00:31:36.140 --> 00:31:36.840 any more 00:31:36.840 --> 00:31:37.560 than he loves 00:31:37.560 --> 00:31:38.240 anybody else 00:31:38.240 --> 00:31:38.780 in this room. 00:31:40.060 --> 00:31:40.980 He's not going to 00:31:40.980 --> 00:31:41.600 choose me 00:31:41.600 --> 00:31:42.300 just because 00:31:42.300 --> 00:31:43.680 I'm his favorite. 00:31:45.780 --> 00:31:46.920 But God shows 00:31:46.920 --> 00:31:47.660 his favor. 00:31:49.440 --> 00:31:50.780 I think God's favor 00:31:50.780 --> 00:31:51.480 is connected 00:31:51.480 --> 00:31:52.400 to you and I 00:31:52.400 --> 00:31:53.020 and how much 00:31:53.020 --> 00:31:54.000 we follow him 00:31:54.000 --> 00:31:54.980 and how much 00:31:54.980 --> 00:31:55.700 we are obedient 00:31:55.700 --> 00:31:56.340 to him 00:31:56.340 --> 00:31:57.300 and how much 00:31:57.300 --> 00:31:57.880 we are living 00:31:57.880 --> 00:31:59.060 according to his word. 00:32:00.380 --> 00:32:01.100 Because listen 00:32:01.100 --> 00:32:01.820 to what it says 00:32:01.820 --> 00:32:02.900 in Exodus 33 00:32:02.900 --> 00:32:04.040 verses 13. 00:32:04.960 --> 00:32:05.820 Verse 13. 00:32:06.320 --> 00:32:07.360 Moses is having 00:32:07.360 --> 00:32:08.200 a conversation 00:32:08.200 --> 00:32:08.880 with the Lord. 00:32:08.960 --> 00:32:09.620 It says this, 00:32:10.080 --> 00:32:10.640 Now therefore, 00:32:10.820 --> 00:32:11.220 if I, 00:32:11.360 --> 00:32:11.720 Moses, 00:32:12.440 --> 00:32:13.320 have found favor 00:32:13.320 --> 00:32:14.140 in your sight, 00:32:15.000 --> 00:32:15.760 please show me 00:32:15.760 --> 00:32:17.280 now your ways 00:32:17.280 --> 00:32:19.600 that I may know you 00:32:19.600 --> 00:32:20.420 in order to find 00:32:20.420 --> 00:32:22.140 favor in your sight. 00:32:22.460 --> 00:32:23.220 Two things 00:32:23.220 --> 00:32:24.760 that Moses says there. 00:32:25.200 --> 00:32:26.040 Your ways. 00:32:26.300 --> 00:32:27.400 Show me your ways. 00:32:27.560 --> 00:32:28.700 Show me how to live 00:32:28.700 --> 00:32:29.440 my life 00:32:29.440 --> 00:32:30.460 in relationship 00:32:30.460 --> 00:32:31.020 to you. 00:32:31.440 --> 00:32:32.500 Show me how to live 00:32:32.500 --> 00:32:33.140 my life 00:32:33.140 --> 00:32:33.840 in relationship 00:32:33.840 --> 00:32:34.320 to the other. 00:32:34.740 --> 00:32:35.220 Remember, 00:32:35.440 --> 00:32:36.360 what God gives 00:32:36.360 --> 00:32:37.540 the people of Israel, 00:32:37.660 --> 00:32:38.760 the children of Israel, 00:32:39.700 --> 00:32:40.200 he gives them 00:32:40.200 --> 00:32:41.060 the Ten Commandments. 00:32:41.120 --> 00:32:41.940 The Ten Commandments 00:32:41.940 --> 00:32:42.780 are broken down 00:32:42.780 --> 00:32:43.960 half towards 00:32:43.960 --> 00:32:44.560 the relationship 00:32:44.560 --> 00:32:45.020 with God, 00:32:45.100 --> 00:32:45.680 the other half 00:32:45.680 --> 00:32:46.620 towards relationship 00:32:46.620 --> 00:32:47.700 with man 00:32:47.700 --> 00:32:48.480 and each other. 00:32:49.340 --> 00:32:49.840 Moses says, 00:32:49.940 --> 00:32:50.780 Show me your ways. 00:32:51.260 --> 00:32:52.360 I want to know you, 00:32:52.520 --> 00:32:52.720 Lord. 00:32:53.140 --> 00:32:54.280 I want to know you more. 00:32:54.640 --> 00:32:55.720 And then he finishes 00:32:55.720 --> 00:32:56.140 that off 00:32:56.140 --> 00:32:56.840 saying, 00:32:57.160 --> 00:32:58.120 That's how I find 00:32:58.120 --> 00:32:59.220 favor in your sight. 00:33:00.560 --> 00:33:01.760 And then in Psalms 00:33:01.760 --> 00:33:02.460 we see this, 00:33:02.540 --> 00:33:03.280 For the Lord God 00:33:03.280 --> 00:33:04.420 is a sun and a shield. 00:33:04.940 --> 00:33:05.820 The Lord bestows 00:33:05.820 --> 00:33:06.900 favor and honor. 00:33:07.540 --> 00:33:08.460 No good thing 00:33:08.460 --> 00:33:09.420 does he withhold 00:33:09.420 --> 00:33:09.980 from those 00:33:09.980 --> 00:33:11.280 who walk uprightly. 00:33:12.360 --> 00:33:13.440 So favor is found 00:33:13.440 --> 00:33:13.980 in those 00:33:13.980 --> 00:33:15.380 who walk uprightly, 00:33:15.460 --> 00:33:17.220 who walk righteously, 00:33:17.400 --> 00:33:18.880 who live righteously 00:33:18.880 --> 00:33:20.240 obedient to the Lord 00:33:20.240 --> 00:33:21.660 and to his word. 00:33:23.200 --> 00:33:24.040 The other thing 00:33:24.040 --> 00:33:25.020 we see in the last part 00:33:25.020 --> 00:33:25.780 of verse 52 00:33:25.780 --> 00:33:27.180 is that Jesus grew 00:33:27.180 --> 00:33:28.280 in favor with man. 00:33:28.820 --> 00:33:29.600 That's easier 00:33:29.600 --> 00:33:30.600 for me to understand. 00:33:32.600 --> 00:33:33.520 Favor with man 00:33:33.520 --> 00:33:34.040 is when 00:33:34.040 --> 00:33:36.220 you're that person 00:33:36.220 --> 00:33:37.860 that folks 00:33:37.860 --> 00:33:38.720 want to come to. 00:33:39.400 --> 00:33:40.440 You're that person 00:33:40.440 --> 00:33:40.920 that people 00:33:40.920 --> 00:33:41.860 want to be around. 00:33:42.580 --> 00:33:43.380 You're that person 00:33:43.380 --> 00:33:44.200 that when you walk 00:33:44.200 --> 00:33:46.280 in a room, 00:33:46.780 --> 00:33:47.540 folks are glad 00:33:47.540 --> 00:33:48.400 to see you. 00:33:49.680 --> 00:33:50.460 Folks want to have 00:33:50.460 --> 00:33:51.280 a conversation 00:33:51.280 --> 00:33:51.900 with you. 00:33:52.860 --> 00:33:53.580 You're that person 00:33:53.580 --> 00:33:54.460 that everybody knows 00:33:54.460 --> 00:33:55.400 and the reason is 00:33:55.400 --> 00:33:56.500 because everything 00:33:56.500 --> 00:33:57.360 that is true, 00:33:57.520 --> 00:33:58.140 everything that is 00:33:58.140 --> 00:33:59.140 trustworthy, 00:33:59.800 --> 00:34:00.920 everything is honorable, 00:34:01.320 --> 00:34:02.640 that represents you 00:34:02.640 --> 00:34:03.520 and you win 00:34:03.520 --> 00:34:05.140 favor of others. 00:34:05.580 --> 00:34:06.400 Think about that. 00:34:08.480 --> 00:34:09.520 In your neighborhood, 00:34:09.760 --> 00:34:10.560 you find favor 00:34:10.560 --> 00:34:11.420 with your neighbors 00:34:11.420 --> 00:34:12.480 when they want 00:34:12.480 --> 00:34:13.280 to come to you 00:34:13.280 --> 00:34:14.440 and ask for your help 00:34:14.440 --> 00:34:15.760 or ask for your assistance 00:34:15.760 --> 00:34:17.000 or they know 00:34:17.000 --> 00:34:18.100 that there's something 00:34:18.100 --> 00:34:19.540 different about you. 00:34:20.680 --> 00:34:22.000 You find favor 00:34:22.000 --> 00:34:24.280 with your fellow man. 00:34:26.000 --> 00:34:27.620 Even before the miracles, 00:34:28.220 --> 00:34:29.440 Luke saw and heard 00:34:29.440 --> 00:34:30.960 that Jesus connected 00:34:30.960 --> 00:34:31.680 with others. 00:34:33.620 --> 00:34:35.200 Jesus connected relationally. 00:34:35.300 --> 00:34:36.360 That's who he was. 00:34:36.860 --> 00:34:38.140 That's how he found favor 00:34:38.140 --> 00:34:39.160 because he cared 00:34:39.160 --> 00:34:39.940 about others. 00:34:40.680 --> 00:34:41.680 He had compassion 00:34:41.680 --> 00:34:42.240 for them. 00:34:42.640 --> 00:34:43.480 We see later 00:34:43.480 --> 00:34:44.380 in Jesus' ministry 00:34:44.380 --> 00:34:45.620 that he had compassion 00:34:45.620 --> 00:34:46.180 for people. 00:34:46.580 --> 00:34:47.360 I guarantee you 00:34:47.360 --> 00:34:48.400 at age 12 00:34:48.400 --> 00:34:49.960 that still showed up 00:34:49.960 --> 00:34:51.820 where he had compassion 00:34:51.820 --> 00:34:52.500 for others. 00:34:54.200 --> 00:34:55.160 People want to be 00:34:55.160 --> 00:34:55.780 around people 00:34:55.780 --> 00:34:56.260 they know 00:34:56.260 --> 00:34:56.960 care about 00:34:56.960 --> 00:34:57.780 who they are. 00:35:00.240 --> 00:35:00.980 in 1 Peter 00:35:00.980 --> 00:35:01.960 verses 2 00:35:01.960 --> 00:35:03.580 I mean chapter 2 00:35:03.580 --> 00:35:04.520 verse 21 00:35:04.520 --> 00:35:06.340 it's kind of been 00:35:06.340 --> 00:35:07.480 a life verse for me 00:35:07.480 --> 00:35:08.680 and as I try to think 00:35:08.680 --> 00:35:11.160 about wisdom 00:35:11.160 --> 00:35:12.240 and favor of God 00:35:12.240 --> 00:35:13.140 and favor of man 00:35:13.140 --> 00:35:13.900 this is where 00:35:13.900 --> 00:35:15.000 my mind went to. 00:35:16.000 --> 00:35:16.560 It says, 00:35:16.760 --> 00:35:17.340 for to this 00:35:17.340 --> 00:35:18.220 you have been called 00:35:18.220 --> 00:35:19.080 because Christ 00:35:19.080 --> 00:35:20.480 also suffered for you 00:35:20.480 --> 00:35:22.240 leaving you an example 00:35:22.240 --> 00:35:23.240 so that you might 00:35:23.240 --> 00:35:24.600 follow in his steps. 00:35:26.200 --> 00:35:27.420 As I look at this verse 00:35:27.420 --> 00:35:28.500 the call for my life 00:35:28.500 --> 00:35:29.620 the call for your life 00:35:29.620 --> 00:35:30.960 our lives as believers 00:35:30.960 --> 00:35:31.620 in Christ 00:35:31.620 --> 00:35:32.700 is to follow 00:35:32.700 --> 00:35:34.080 in the steps of Christ 00:35:34.080 --> 00:35:35.480 and one of the ways 00:35:35.480 --> 00:35:36.220 in which you and I 00:35:36.220 --> 00:35:36.740 can do that 00:35:36.740 --> 00:35:38.360 is found in Luke 2 52 00:35:38.360 --> 00:35:40.180 grow in wisdom 00:35:40.180 --> 00:35:42.700 increase in favor of God 00:35:42.700 --> 00:35:44.160 increase in favor of man. 00:35:46.220 --> 00:35:47.480 Then the last thing 00:35:47.480 --> 00:35:48.100 is this 00:35:48.100 --> 00:35:50.420 longing for Jesus 00:35:50.420 --> 00:35:52.820 longing for Jesus 00:35:52.820 --> 00:35:54.480 when you think 00:35:54.480 --> 00:35:55.300 about Simeon 00:35:55.300 --> 00:35:55.940 when you think 00:35:55.940 --> 00:35:56.580 about Anna 00:35:56.580 --> 00:35:58.540 that's what they did 00:35:58.540 --> 00:36:00.580 they longed to see 00:36:00.580 --> 00:36:01.460 the Messiah 00:36:01.460 --> 00:36:02.560 in the flesh 00:36:02.560 --> 00:36:04.360 they longed to be 00:36:04.360 --> 00:36:05.180 in his presence 00:36:05.180 --> 00:36:06.740 they wanted to take 00:36:06.740 --> 00:36:07.600 the things 00:36:07.600 --> 00:36:08.260 that they had heard 00:36:08.260 --> 00:36:08.900 the prophecy 00:36:08.900 --> 00:36:10.820 and see the reality 00:36:10.820 --> 00:36:14.400 man what would it be like 00:36:14.400 --> 00:36:15.220 for your life 00:36:15.220 --> 00:36:16.220 and for my life 00:36:16.220 --> 00:36:18.300 if we were marked 00:36:18.300 --> 00:36:19.280 with the thoughts 00:36:19.280 --> 00:36:20.040 and the attitude 00:36:20.040 --> 00:36:21.940 of longing for Jesus 00:36:21.940 --> 00:36:24.300 that every morning 00:36:24.300 --> 00:36:24.980 every morning 00:36:24.980 --> 00:36:25.860 when we wake up 00:36:25.860 --> 00:36:27.720 we long to be with him 00:36:27.720 --> 00:36:29.260 we long to see him 00:36:29.260 --> 00:36:30.100 work in our life 00:36:30.100 --> 00:36:31.420 we long to see him 00:36:31.420 --> 00:36:32.820 work around our life 00:36:32.820 --> 00:36:35.460 the psalmist writes 00:36:35.460 --> 00:36:36.560 in chapter 63 00:36:36.560 --> 00:36:37.340 verse 1 00:36:37.340 --> 00:36:38.420 he writes these words 00:36:38.420 --> 00:36:39.900 oh God 00:36:39.900 --> 00:36:39.900 oh God 00:36:39.900 --> 00:36:41.280 you are my God 00:36:41.280 --> 00:36:43.480 I earnestly search 00:36:43.480 --> 00:36:43.980 for you 00:36:43.980 --> 00:36:45.380 my soul 00:36:45.380 --> 00:36:46.420 thirsts for you 00:36:46.420 --> 00:36:47.480 my whole body 00:36:47.480 --> 00:36:48.680 longs for you 00:36:48.680 --> 00:36:49.880 in this parched 00:36:49.880 --> 00:36:50.780 and weary land 00:36:50.780 --> 00:36:52.360 where there is no water 00:36:52.360 --> 00:36:55.280 man do you hear 00:36:55.280 --> 00:36:56.940 the psalmist's voice 00:36:56.940 --> 00:36:58.180 do you hear 00:36:58.180 --> 00:36:58.900 his desire 00:36:58.900 --> 00:37:00.000 to be in the presence 00:37:00.000 --> 00:37:00.420 of God 00:37:00.420 --> 00:37:01.480 to walk daily 00:37:01.480 --> 00:37:02.000 in the presence 00:37:02.000 --> 00:37:02.480 of God 00:37:02.480 --> 00:37:03.920 for he to be 00:37:03.920 --> 00:37:04.660 consumed 00:37:04.660 --> 00:37:05.880 with who God 00:37:05.880 --> 00:37:06.280 is 00:37:06.280 --> 00:37:08.040 I search 00:37:08.040 --> 00:37:08.760 I thirst 00:37:08.760 --> 00:37:09.740 I long 00:37:09.740 --> 00:37:12.600 because this life 00:37:12.600 --> 00:37:13.460 is sucking life 00:37:13.460 --> 00:37:14.000 out of me 00:37:14.000 --> 00:37:16.100 the weary land 00:37:16.100 --> 00:37:17.180 that has no water 00:37:17.180 --> 00:37:19.520 Lord I need you 00:37:19.520 --> 00:37:20.420 every day 00:37:20.420 --> 00:37:21.420 every hour 00:37:21.420 --> 00:37:24.220 longing for Jesus 00:37:24.220 --> 00:37:27.180 as we look 00:37:27.180 --> 00:37:27.900 at a new year 00:37:27.900 --> 00:37:28.460 fresh 00:37:28.460 --> 00:37:31.480 may we pray 00:37:31.480 --> 00:37:32.160 and may we 00:37:32.160 --> 00:37:33.100 reach towards 00:37:33.100 --> 00:37:34.000 being the persons 00:37:34.000 --> 00:37:34.980 that God desires 00:37:34.980 --> 00:37:35.720 for us to be 00:37:35.720 --> 00:37:36.980 each and every day 00:37:36.980 --> 00:37:37.620 of our life 00:37:37.620 --> 00:37:39.380 as we continue 00:37:39.380 --> 00:37:40.120 to follow him 00:37:40.120 --> 00:37:41.140 each and every moment 00:37:41.140 --> 00:37:43.000 Lord thank you 00:37:43.000 --> 00:37:43.640 for your word 00:37:43.640 --> 00:37:45.740 Lord every time 00:37:45.740 --> 00:37:46.820 your word is open 00:37:46.820 --> 00:37:48.460 it brings truth 00:37:48.460 --> 00:37:49.800 it brings 00:37:49.800 --> 00:37:50.640 understanding 00:37:50.640 --> 00:37:52.480 Lord it gives us 00:37:52.480 --> 00:37:53.080 direction 00:37:53.080 --> 00:37:55.960 Lord it shows us 00:37:55.960 --> 00:37:56.740 who you are 00:37:56.740 --> 00:37:58.780 Lord it also 00:37:58.780 --> 00:37:59.520 shows us 00:37:59.520 --> 00:38:00.700 who we are 00:38:00.700 --> 00:38:02.820 it shows us 00:38:02.820 --> 00:38:03.280 the things 00:38:03.280 --> 00:38:03.940 that we need 00:38:03.940 --> 00:38:04.760 to work on 00:38:04.760 --> 00:38:06.620 it shows us 00:38:06.620 --> 00:38:07.060 the things 00:38:07.060 --> 00:38:07.760 that we can 00:38:07.760 --> 00:38:09.520 glorify you 00:38:09.520 --> 00:38:09.960 with 00:38:09.960 --> 00:38:11.980 so Lord 00:38:11.980 --> 00:38:12.880 thank you so much 00:38:12.880 --> 00:38:13.480 for your love 00:38:13.480 --> 00:38:14.080 for us 00:38:14.080 --> 00:38:16.480 within that love 00:38:16.480 --> 00:38:17.260 you showed us 00:38:17.260 --> 00:38:17.860 your word 00:38:17.860 --> 00:38:20.640 you showed us 00:38:20.640 --> 00:38:21.180 your heart 00:38:21.180 --> 00:38:23.660 you brought us 00:38:23.660 --> 00:38:24.220 salvation 00:38:24.220 --> 00:38:24.640 through your 00:38:24.640 --> 00:38:25.360 son Jesus 00:38:25.360 --> 00:38:28.660 you also 00:38:28.660 --> 00:38:29.180 showed us 00:38:29.180 --> 00:38:29.600 how to live 00:38:29.600 --> 00:38:29.980 life 00:38:29.980 --> 00:38:30.300 through your 00:38:30.300 --> 00:38:31.000 son Jesus 00:38:31.000 --> 00:38:32.800 so Lord 00:38:32.800 --> 00:38:33.460 we thank you 00:38:33.460 --> 00:38:34.320 and we ask this 00:38:34.320 --> 00:38:34.980 prayer in your name 00:38:34.980 --> 00:38:35.720 amen 00:38:35.720 --> 00:38:50.260 thanks again for 00:38:50.260 --> 00:38:50.940 listening to the 00:38:50.940 --> 00:38:51.720 Willow Ridge Church 00:38:51.720 --> 00:38:52.520 weekly podcast 00:38:52.520 --> 00:38:53.700 we hope that you 00:38:53.700 --> 00:38:54.540 enjoyed listening to 00:38:54.540 --> 00:38:55.320 this week's message 00:38:55.320 --> 00:38:56.500 if you'd like to 00:38:56.500 --> 00:38:57.140 learn more about 00:38:57.140 --> 00:38:57.720 who we are 00:38:57.720 --> 00:38:58.400 or explore 00:38:58.400 --> 00:38:59.320 additional resources 00:38:59.320 --> 00:39:00.820 visit us online 00:39:00.820 --> 00:39:04.380 at www.willowridgechurch.com 00:39:04.380 --> 00:39:05.600 or by searching 00:39:05.600 --> 00:39:06.600 for Willow Ridge Church 00:39:06.600 --> 00:39:07.240 on Facebook 00:39:07.240 --> 00:39:07.960 and Instagram