Here’s how the study works: Read the chapter mentioned in the heading several times during the week and share any words, thoughts, verses that stood out to you. Having a week for a chapter creates the opportunity to reread it several times and make additional comments as you feel inclined as well as make comments on other people’s insights.
In this chapter I find v. 21 the most intriguing. Jesus’ own family thought he was “out of his mind”. He lived a perfect life for 30 years and his family had not realized that he was the Son of God.
In this chapter I find v. 21 the most intriguing. Jesus’ own family thought he was “out of his mind”. He lived a perfect life for 30 years and his family had not realized that he was the Son of God.
“Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”
Matthew 1
“Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favour with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father, David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end.” Luke 1
I’m wondering why you would think that His family didn’t know who He was when they were told outright who He was before He was born. I’m wondering if there were many miracles in their household as He grew up, otherwise Mary would not have known He could fix the wine situation at the wedding feast.
I’m wondering if His family was worried about the time and stress on His body … having no break at all from the throngs of people that came to Him. If He were to walk among us today… there would be no end to the sick who would line up to see Him. maybe this is why they thought He had lost His mind. I don’t know.
I’m still amazed at the way the religious leaders of the day totally ignored the fact that He was doing good things and wanted to not just harm Him but kill Him for it.
“He looked around at them in anger and, deeply distressed at their stubborn hearts, said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.”
How often do we run in to those same stubborn hearts today.
“Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”
Matthew 1
“Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favour with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father, David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end.” Luke 1
I’m wondering why you would think that His family didn’t know who He was when they were told outright who He was before He was born. I’m wondering if there were many miracles in their household as He grew up, otherwise Mary would not have known He could fix the wine situation at the wedding feast.
I’m wondering if His family was worried about the time and stress on His body … having no break at all from the throngs of people that came to Him. If He were to walk among us today… there would be no end to the sick who would line up to see Him. maybe this is why they thought He had lost His mind. I don’t know.
I’m still amazed at the way the religious leaders of the day totally ignored the fact that He was doing good things and wanted to not just harm Him but kill Him for it.
“He looked around at them in anger and, deeply distressed at their stubborn hearts, said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.”
How often do we run in to those same stubborn hearts today.
My comments about Jesus’ family relate to other incidents in the NT. I don’t think Jesus would have been able to do any miracles until the Holy Spirit came upon at his baptism. In John 2:11 turning water into wine is described as Jesus’ first miraculous sign.
John 7:5 tells us that even his brothers did not believe in him.
John the Baptist, who was Jesus’ cousin, said “I would not have known him, except …” (God told him) John 1:33, which I find surprising in light of the circumstances of his own birth and I would have thought he would have been told the circumstances of Jesus’ birth.
Overall I think Jesus lived a very ordinary life for his first 30 years and the circumstances of his birth had become a distant memory. I think the reason the gospels are so silent about Jesus’ early life is because there was nothing to say and nothing miraculous to report.
My comments about Jesus’ family relate to other incidents in the NT. I don’t think Jesus would have been able to do any miracles until the Holy Spirit came upon at his baptism. In John 2:11 turning water into wine is described as Jesus’ first miraculous sign.
John 7:5 tells us that even his brothers did not believe in him.
John the Baptist, who was Jesus’ cousin, said “I would not have known him, except …” (God told him) John 1:33, which I find surprising in light of the circumstances of his own birth and I would have thought he would have been told the circumstances of Jesus’ birth.
Overall I think Jesus lived a very ordinary life for his first 30 years and the circumstances of his birth had become a distant memory. I think the reason the gospels are so silent about Jesus’ early life is because there was nothing to say and nothing miraculous to report.
I find it interesting that the first thing it says about the disciples is that they “might be with him” which says to me our relationship with Jesus is more important than anything we might do for him.
I find it interesting that the first thing it says about the disciples is that they “might be with him” which says to me our relationship with Jesus is more important than anything we might do for him.
Interesting piece of trivia: v. 18 James is the son of Alphaeus and in 2:14 Levi is also the son of Alphaeus. Perhaps they were brothers?
Interesting piece of trivia: v. 18 James is the son of Alphaeus and in 2:14 Levi is also the son of Alphaeus. Perhaps they were brothers?
Could have been two different men named Alphaeus… but maybe the same making them brothers … I noticed Levi in Chpt. 2 and noted his calling… yet he is not one of the twelve. Jesus called more than the twelve to follow him… cool.
Back to the family situation… do you really think, Susan, if Gabriel himself had come to you and told you all about the Saviour being born to you .. and you were a virgin having a child and the stress that would have caused your life back in those days … and having a baby born in a manger and angels anouncing His birth… and shepherds bowing to worship a baby and wise men from the East bringing gifts meant for a king to a child?T
The praises from Anna and Simeon at His dedication and the prophesy.
“And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against; Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also, that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.” Luke 2
Would you also forget the time He, at 12 years old went missing and He was found in the temple conversing with the religious leaders .. who were in awe at His understanding because we know He was asking questions but was really teaching them in a submissive way.
It sounds like there were many things that were mysterious to them but they knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that He was important He was God in the flesh from the day He was born … who confined Himself to a human body … not the other way around and there is no way that there was any ordinariness going on in that household …otherwise Mary would not have known with such confidence that He could help with the wine.
“And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.”
Luke 2
As far as his brothers are concerned … He addressed that … He said a prophet is without honour in His own home …
John the Baptist may not have seen Jesus for many years … His parents were elderly having had him when they were past the age of childbearing … they may have died and John may have been in the wilderness living his ascetic life style for quite some time.
Maybe last time they saw each other was before they grew beards … LOL
Just some thoughts …
Brought some Very Berry tea if anyone would like some 🙂
Could have been two different men named Alphaeus… but maybe the same making them brothers … I noticed Levi in Chpt. 2 and noted his calling… yet he is not one of the twelve. Jesus called more than the twelve to follow him… cool.
Back to the family situation… do you really think, Susan, if Gabriel himself had come to you and told you all about the Saviour being born to you .. and you were a virgin having a child and the stress that would have caused your life back in those days … and having a baby born in a manger and angels anouncing His birth… and shepherds bowing to worship a baby and wise men from the East bringing gifts meant for a king to a child?T
The praises from Anna and Simeon at His dedication and the prophesy.
“And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against; Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also, that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.” Luke 2
Would you also forget the time He, at 12 years old went missing and He was found in the temple conversing with the religious leaders .. who were in awe at His understanding because we know He was asking questions but was really teaching them in a submissive way.
It sounds like there were many things that were mysterious to them but they knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that He was important He was God in the flesh from the day He was born … who confined Himself to a human body … not the other way around and there is no way that there was any ordinariness going on in that household …otherwise Mary would not have known with such confidence that He could help with the wine.
“And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.”
Luke 2
As far as his brothers are concerned … He addressed that … He said a prophet is without honour in His own home …
John the Baptist may not have seen Jesus for many years … His parents were elderly having had him when they were past the age of childbearing … they may have died and John may have been in the wilderness living his ascetic life style for quite some time.
Maybe last time they saw each other was before they grew beards … LOL
Just some thoughts …
Brought some Very Berry tea if anyone would like some 🙂
I guess I’m thinking about people I know who saw miracles and 30 years on it is only a vague memory.
I also read of the miracles that God did for his people in Exodus and how quickly they forgot. I don’t think people have changed that much.
I guess I’m thinking about people I know who saw miracles and 30 years on it is only a vague memory.
I also read of the miracles that God did for his people in Exodus and how quickly they forgot. I don’t think people have changed that much.
I s’pose you are right about that in many ways … but here … Mary and Joseph lived with this miracle every day …
and now … so do we.
I s’pose you are right about that in many ways … but here … Mary and Joseph lived with this miracle every day …
and now … so do we.
v.1-2 Another time Jesus went into the synagogue, and a man with a shriveled hand was there. Some of them were looking for a reason to accuse Jesus, so they watched him closely to see if he would heal him on the Sabbath.
They watched him “closely’. Why? Surely if this man was going to be healed it would be fairly obvious! But it shows the appalling attitude of their hearts. They were not interested in the welfare of someone who was hurting.
Furthermore Jesus healed by his word there was no “work” involved.
v.1-2 Another time Jesus went into the synagogue, and a man with a shriveled hand was there. Some of them were looking for a reason to accuse Jesus, so they watched him closely to see if he would heal him on the Sabbath.
They watched him “closely’. Why? Surely if this man was going to be healed it would be fairly obvious! But it shows the appalling attitude of their hearts. They were not interested in the welfare of someone who was hurting.
Furthermore Jesus healed by his word there was no “work” involved.
v.34-35 Then he looked at those seated in a circle around him and said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! Whoever does God’s will is my brother and sister and mother.”
Jesus said this shortly after he had appointed his disciples. Jesus’ family was not longer defined by blood relations but by heart attitude.
v.34-35 Then he looked at those seated in a circle around him and said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! Whoever does God’s will is my brother and sister and mother.”
Jesus said this shortly after he had appointed his disciples. Jesus’ family was not longer defined by blood relations but by heart attitude.