‘Why were you searching for me?’ he asked. ‘Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?’ (Luke 2:49)
Who is Jesus? Luke is continuing to tell us more about who Jesus is. After Jesus is separated from Mary and Joseph, they find him in the temple, listening to the teachers of the law, and asking them questions. Jesus knew exactly who he was, but did everyone else around him? Do we? Do you?
For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all nations: a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel. (Luke 2:30-32)
Simeon was waiting to see God’s chosen Messiah, and was entirely content when he saw Jesus. As far as Simeon was concerned, and what Luke wants us to know, Jesus is God’s promised Messiah, who will bring all of God’s promises about.
so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught (Luke 1:4)
How can we be certain about our faith? Can we be confident in the teaching we have about Christianity? As we start to look at Luke’s gospels on Sunday mornings, we’ll see that’s exactly why Luke wrote his book. Luke wants his readers to be able to be confident in their faith, so he spent time researching and interviewing the eyewitnesses. As we read Luke, we can be confident that what we read is true.
Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. (1 Corinthians 12:12)
What would life be like if we were all the same? God made us all to be different, with different gifts and abilities, and different strengths and weaknesses. We work together as part of a bigger whole just like, as St Paul says, a body. Our need for each other shows God’s goodness at work, and helps us to grow as Christians.
All these are the work of one and the same Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:11)
Unity and diversity are ideals that we aim for, and characteristics that are highly prized. For the next two Sundays, we’ll be looking at how our unity and diversity come from God the Father, through Jesus Christ, and are used by the Holy Spirit for our good and God’s glory.