On Sunday, January 7, 2024, Pastor Joe Troutman lead a discussion on Jesus's childhood narratives in Luke 2:1-52:
The Birth of Jesus Christ (vs. 1-7)
What are differences in the way God uses his power compared to how humans use theirs?
Caesar Augustus was considered a relatively fair emperor; but his power is tainted by sin, yet God's power is not, and uses human self-centered power to accomplish his good ends.
Micah 5;1-2
When abuse of power is carried out in Christ's name, it is more heinous than when a pagan abuses power.
The Shepherds and the Angels (vs. 8-21)
Jesus Presented at the Temple (vs. 22-38)
Mary and Joseph's presenting Jesus at the Temple bears implicit parallels to Hannah's consecrating Samuel to the Lord (1 Samuel 1:24-28).
Simeon's (v. 32) reference to the Gentiles reminds the readers that God's covenant was always intended to extend to them as well as to the Jews. Significant when the fact that the gospel writer Luke himself may very well have been a Gentile.
The Return to Nazareth (vs. 39-40)
The Boy Jesus in the Temple (vs. 41-52)
Discussion of Jesus in adolescence and reflecting on our own.
What was the significance of Jesus's statement about his need to be in his Father's house? He knows he has a mission and is expressing it to his parents.
