Picture the Bible Reflection for May 10, 2021
This week we’re looking at the story of Jesus in the Temple. Found in Luke 2:41-52, you can read it here: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%202%3A41-52&version=NIV
In summary, Jesus’ family does the same old, same old. It’s time for the Festival of Passover, so they go to Jerusalem. This year is different though. He’s a 12-year-old young fella and he stayed behind while his parents were returning home after the festival. However, they were unaware he was not with them. Three days later, they found him in the temple sitting with the teachers.
I wonder what things you do, in a normal world, that is a family tradition or ritual. For Jesus’ family, the trip to Jerusalem was an annual tradition. Jewish families were to make the pilgrimage for their three high holidays but once distance becomes a consideration, and maybe a limitation, many would choose one to attend. They would choose to attend the Feast of the Passover, the week-long celebration, that marks the beginning of the Jewish year. For a number of us, we make it to church on our high holidays such as Easter and Christmas. Passover usually falls around our time of Easter.
Children are to study the bible from quite a young age in the Jewish tradition. In some sources, I have read that they are to do so from the age of 5. Not just reading or listening to the stories, but really studying them. I respect that because they would be learning the history, the story, the people, and God from an early age and as we get older, our understandings and perspectives of all of these things may take on new meanings for us.
Jesus was 12 when he sat with the teachers in the temple. I think some of the best teaching circles come from places where those who are deemed wise are also humble. Where they can also listen and ask questions, understanding that we can grow from and with each other regardless of age and educational degrees.
I wonder how you would feel sitting in a circle of faith leaders. I wonder what you might want to listen to if you were to sit with teachers in the temple these days. I wonder what questions you might have. I wonder what thoughts you would offer into the circle. I wonder what parts of the bible you would be most interested in studying.
Our song for today is a familiar hymn: “Teach Me, God, to Wonder” and this video is created by Golden Ears United Church based in BC. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hiPu9NCSZis
A prayer for today:
Holy One, thank you for the faith markers in time that encourage us to gather together to share bible stories, to share a meal and to think about our faith journeys. Help us to keep you at the heart of who we are and what we do. Help us to think about the important parts of our faith – whether it is in the seasonal celebrations, the rituals of baptism or communion, spiritual practices of prayer or other, or learning and studying the bible. May we be mindful that you guide us along the way and we are called to do our part in practicing and growing in our faith. Be with us in our struggles, in our questions and in our learning. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
This week we’re looking at the story of Jesus in the Temple. Found in Luke 2:41-52, you can read it here: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%202%3A41-52&version=NIV
In summary, Jesus’ family does the same old, same old. It’s time for the Festival of Passover, so they go to Jerusalem. This year is different though. He’s a 12-year-old young fella and he stayed behind while his parents were returning home after the festival. However, they were unaware he was not with them. Three days later, they found him in the temple sitting with the teachers.
I wonder what things you do, in a normal world, that is a family tradition or ritual. For Jesus’ family, the trip to Jerusalem was an annual tradition. Jewish families were to make the pilgrimage for their three high holidays but once distance becomes a consideration, and maybe a limitation, many would choose one to attend. They would choose to attend the Feast of the Passover, the week-long celebration, that marks the beginning of the Jewish year. For a number of us, we make it to church on our high holidays such as Easter and Christmas. Passover usually falls around our time of Easter.
Children are to study the bible from quite a young age in the Jewish tradition. In some sources, I have read that they are to do so from the age of 5. Not just reading or listening to the stories, but really studying them. I respect that because they would be learning the history, the story, the people, and God from an early age and as we get older, our understandings and perspectives of all of these things may take on new meanings for us.
Jesus was 12 when he sat with the teachers in the temple. I think some of the best teaching circles come from places where those who are deemed wise are also humble. Where they can also listen and ask questions, understanding that we can grow from and with each other regardless of age and educational degrees.
I wonder how you would feel sitting in a circle of faith leaders. I wonder what you might want to listen to if you were to sit with teachers in the temple these days. I wonder what questions you might have. I wonder what thoughts you would offer into the circle. I wonder what parts of the bible you would be most interested in studying.
Our song for today is a familiar hymn: “Teach Me, God, to Wonder” and this video is created by Golden Ears United Church based in BC. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hiPu9NCSZis
A prayer for today:
Holy One, thank you for the faith markers in time that encourage us to gather together to share bible stories, to share a meal and to think about our faith journeys. Help us to keep you at the heart of who we are and what we do. Help us to think about the important parts of our faith – whether it is in the seasonal celebrations, the rituals of baptism or communion, spiritual practices of prayer or other, or learning and studying the bible. May we be mindful that you guide us along the way and we are called to do our part in practicing and growing in our faith. Be with us in our struggles, in our questions and in our learning. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.