And He said to them, “Why were you looking for Me? Did you not know I must be in my Father’s house?” Luke 2:49 ESV1
Read Matthew 1:18-25 & 2:11-15; Luke 1:26-56 & 2:41-52
“God so loved the world that He gave His only Son … in order that the world might be saved through Him (John 3:16a & 17b). But before Jesus saved the world, he was a Baby who needed care, a little Boy who needed providing for and protecting, and a young Man who needed encouragement and direction. Who on Earth could God trust to raise His Son? Who could be up to the challenge of parenting all of God wrapped up in the skin of a little Boy? Both Mary and Joseph must have been exceptional people! Much can be deduced from Scripture about this couple.
Mary and Joseph were people of character. They were both pure (see Matthew 1:18). Joseph was honorable and kind (see Matthew 1:19). He was faithful, fearless, and obedient (see Matthew 1:20, 24; 2:13-25). He was also holy (see Matthew 1:25). Mary was attentive to the needs of her Child (see Matthew 2:11). She was inquisitive, not gullible (see Luke 1:29 & 34). They were both persistent, not giving up easily (see Luke 2:45).
Jesus was raised in a family that loved God and knew the Scriptures. Mary’s words to her relative, Elizabeth, recorded in Luke, are packed with Scripture quotations (see Luke 1:46-55). Both Mary and Joseph and were obedient to God’s law (see Luke 2:21-24). They kept the Passover every year (see Luke 2:41). Mary was favored by God (see Luke 1:28-30). She believed God and was willing to be used of God (see Luke 1:38). And she wholeheartedly praised God (see Luke 1:46-55).
Mary and Joseph loved others. Mary was gracious and hospitable (see Matthew 2:11 and Luke 2:16-18). She was helpful (see Luke 1:56). Mary and Joseph had many friends and relatives (see Luke 2:44). They had a home that was full of children. Yes, Jesus had siblings; He had four brothers and at least two sisters (see Mark 6:3 and Matthew 13:55-56). As parents, they commanded and were deserving of respect (see Luke 2:52). They trusted their children and allowed their children freedoms as they proved themselves able to handle those liberties (see Luke 2:40, 43-44).
But Mary and Joseph weren’t perfect. They lost a kid, God’s Kid, for three days (see Luke 2:43-46). And they got mad at Jesus and blamed Him for their mistake (see Luke 2:48).
And they weren’t rich. We know this because of the sacrifice they offered at Jesus’s dedication, “a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons” (see Luke 2:25). This was the sacrifice prescribed for those who could not afford a lamb (see Leviticus 12:8).
But, to Mary and Joseph, God was important, His words were believable, and His Laws were to be obeyed. Godly character was of utmost importance to them. Mary and Joseph loved others even when they may not have felt like it or when it may not have been reciprocated. They were wise in the things which God considered important. Theirs was a good home in which for Jesus to learn and grow.
There is a great deal we could learn from Mary and Joseph about building a healthy home, one in which Jesus is welcome. But Jesus didn’t ultimately come to find a place in our homes. He came to make a home in our hearts. That which is needed to make Jesus welcome in our hearts is the recognition of our great need for Him and a willingness to yield to Him.
“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). Jesus didn’t come to earth to just live among humanity for a while, heal us of our diseases, and teach us how to live. Jesus came to bridge the divide between God and man—a separation that had been caused by sin. Sin entered the world through one man and death through sin (see Romans 5:12). Jesus did what no man or woman could do because no man or woman has ever been sinless (see Romans 3:23). Jesus lived a perfect human life here on earth and then sacrificed Himself for all humanity. He died a cruel, undeserved death for all of us—a death we rightly deserved (see Romans 6:23). But, He didn’t stay dead (see 1 Corinthians 15:3-4). He rose again defeating death and sin (see 1 Corinthians 15:54b-57). He is in Heaven right now preparing a place for humans; Someday, He will come and get those who believe Him and commit their lives to Him (see John 14:2-3). They will spend eternity with Him (see John 10:28). Yet, He has not left us here defenseless; He sent us a Helper for the rest of our lives here on earth, the Holy Spirit (see John 14:16).
Jesus’ death was big enough to pay for all the sins, of everyone in the whole world, for all time (see Romans 5:8). No one is too big of a sinner to be saved by Jesus, and no one is too perfect of a do-gooder to not need saving by Jesus. The work has been done by Jesus alone. We need only believe and accept His wonderful gift (see Romans 10:9-10). When we do believe and yield to Him, sin no longer has power over us. The Holy Spirit comes and lives in us; He gives us the power to live life the way God intends (see Romans 8:16-17, 38-39; & 12:1-2). We then have a purpose (see Ephesians 2:10), and blessing (see Ephesians 1:3), and everlasting life (see John 3:16 and Philippians 3:20-21).
This is the Gospel, the best news ever! This is what all the fuss about being a Christian is all about. If you have never opened your heart to be Jesus’ home, I encourage you to pray right now. Admit that you are a sinner and the wrong things you have done have separated you from God. Acknowledge your belief that Jesus died the death you deserved and did what you could never do to get you right with God. Ask for His forgiveness and yield your life to Him and to His ways. Then get out of the way and let Him do His will in and through you by His power for His glory and for your good.
If Jesus is already living in your heart as your Lord and Savior, why not take some time now to thank Him for all He has done and praise Him for that which He has yet to do in you (see Philippians 1:6).
1Scripture quotations marked with ESV are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version (ESV), copyright 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. All Scriptures are taken from the ESV unless otherwise noted. To aid in understanding, I have capitalized references to God.