Bible Readings:
When Joseph and Mary had done everything required by the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee to their own town of Nazareth. And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was on him. (Luke 2:39-40)
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John 1:14)
If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. (James 1:5)
A Reflection
We are all living at the moment, amongst rules and regulations that are affecting the way we conduct our lives in an unprecedented way. The majority of the country is abiding by the rules, even though a significant minority are choosing to flout them. The consequences of this for the ‘law keepers’, is that they remain largely safe and free from Covid. For the ‘law breakers’ though, the consequences are uncertain. Some too remain unaffected by Covid while others become sick or seriously ill, and some transmit the disease to others and thus threaten the lives of their friends and loved ones.
Jesus was born into a world of rules and regulations, laws given to Moses that were there to keep the people of God safe and to protect their relationships with each other and with God. The consequences of keeping the law were health and harmony with God and neighbour, the consequences of breaking them could affect them individually as well as their loved ones and nation.
Mary and Joseph made certain that, in bringing up Jesus, they did everything to keep God’s laws. Having done so they returned home to Nazareth and settled back down to normal family life where, we are told, Jesus grew in wisdom and in grace.
Jesus also grew up to fulfil the law by paying the penalty of our sin and to set us free from the consequences of our disobedience.
I think there are parallels here for us today. Life for us will one day settle back to a new normal, the rules and regulations will have kept us safe and vaccines will enable us to live free of the consequences of the virus.
As we wait for that time, let us, like Jesus grow in wisdom and in grace, and let us be thankful that, through faith in Jesus, we are no longer threatened by the consequences of our sin.
A Prayer
Thank you, Lord Jesus that your grace has set me free from the law of sin and death.
Help me, like you, to grow in wisdom and in grace.
Amen
God of Grace, amazing wonder
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