October 31 Daily Devotional

Bible Reading:

Luke 2:39-52

³⁹And when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city Nazareth.
⁴⁰And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.
⁴¹Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the passover.
⁴²And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast.
⁴³And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it.
⁴⁴But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day's journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance.
⁴⁵And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him.
⁴⁶And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions.
⁴⁷And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers.
⁴⁸And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing.
⁴⁹And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business?
⁵⁰And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them.
⁵¹And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart.
⁵²And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.

Devotional:

The boy Jesus enjoyed church. This was not because the church had a good youth program or because it was the custom for everyone in Nazareth to attend. He enjoyed church because there He was able to attend to the business of His Father (2:49). He enjoyed church because this was His Father's house and He had a true and close relationship with His Father. He and His Father were ever and always one! 'I and my Father are one' (John 10:30).

But let us go on to verse 51. He was also subject to His human mother and father under the law. He, God come in the flesh, was submissive to His parents in the flesh! And His earthly parents took Him to church.

Our children should be shown the privilege of following in the footsteps of Jesus as they are submissive to their parents. They should be shown that as they go to church with their parents they are doing what Jesus did. Church attendance should be a normal event. There should not be a weekly decision as to whether to go. It should be, moreover, a cheerful occasion, not a chore. The attitude should not be, 'Do we have to go to church?' but rather 'We look forward to going to church!'

This is the place where God has planned that His children should gather together and engage in His business. David said, 'I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the Lord'(Psalm 122:1).

Really, now, if Jesus attended church regularly, do we have an option?