FIRST WORDS
Do you remember your first words? There is a 100% chance that you do not remember saying them, but someone may have recorded them. Do you know what Jesus said when he first spoke up for himself? I was amazed, convicted, and challenged when I read them. Even more so, I was astounded to find them in the same passage I pray over every little love that finds their way to my arms. If you attend Momentum Church I could stop here, because you’ve already turned to the second chapter of Luke.
When I arrived to India, I learned that the program within the organization assigned to us, was actually founded on Luke 2:52. Do you know how the story goes? After spending almost a month in India, I was given the privilege of presenting the sermon at a village church. Knowing we would be leaving soon, I wanted to celebrate the program, our time with them, and empower parents to begin claiming this same scripture over their children.
I shared a bit about myself, what I left behind, and my heart for the children. Then I began to tell His story. In Luke 2 you will find the story of Mary and Joseph and how they were proved imperfect. Not really, but yes indeed. You will find the story of a missing child who didn’t believe he was missing. Not really, but yes indeed. All of these things true, but not the truth I want to impart to you.
Luke 2:41-52 is titled in many Bibles, as, “The Boy Jesus at the Temple.” Every year his parents would make the 3 day trek to Jerusalem for the Feast of the Passover. They would be there for 7 days, and then return home. Women were not required to make the journey, so this spoke well of Mary’s involvement in her family and support in the family unit. On one occasion when Jesus was just twelve, they returned home unaware that the boy Jesus was not with them. Imagine the search party for God in the flesh. They were sure he was in their company. They were certain their son was with them. He had stayed behind in Jerusalem, and they wouldn’t know it for 3 days. They would have spent that time asking relatives to help them look for him. There was no other option but to return from Nazareth to Jerusalem, and retrieve their rebellious son. But was he? He knew where he had to be, and did not consider taking up residence on a milk carton, while missing in action. So what were Jesus’ first words? “Why were you searching for me? he asked. “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?” And what was their response to this sassy and not so sassy Jesus? “But they did not understand what he was saying to them. Then he went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. But his mother treasured all these things in her heart. AND JESUS GREW IN WISDOM AND STATURE, AND IN FAVOR WITH GOD AND MAN.” Luke 2:52
Did you miss it? His first words were the call on His life. Imagine if your son or daughter remained silent until the age of 12 and the first words you record are about spending time with God. What would be your response. Perhaps God just did a revamp on it, and you will empower him or her.
This was the challenge I presented to the parents and the people of the village I was preaching to. I called all the children to come to me and I prayed over them, demonstrating my desire for them to grow in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man. I choose to believe their response was to put it into practice that night before their children closed their eyes. I choose to believe those were not my words that had the impact, but the words of Jesus himself.
Be convicted by His words, encouraged by His words, and allow Him to move you to tears as you reflect on the words you choose. Be encouraged mothers, as you tend to be your worst critics in motherhood, that Mary and Joseph lost your savior for 3 days. Be moved to claim these words over yourself, and desire no less.
