Session 5
The Young Earthly Life of Jesus, The True Shepherd
Heinrich August Wilhelm Meyer (10 January 1800 – 21 June 1873), a German Protestant theologian, observed that this remarkable statement of Jesus in John 16:28 is ‘a simple and grand summary of His entire personal life.’
Let us look first at Mary and then Joseph:
Mary of Nazareth is history’s most celebrated woman. A good question for us is, has God been arbitrary in His choice of Mary to be that special person who would bring His Son into the world? The answer to this question is no, because God makes His choices based upon certain qualities, he sees in the people He chooses. (2 Chronicles 16:9)
What God asks Mary to do changes her future and her life forever. Read about her response to the Living God in Luke 1:26-38. There really was no other way for Jesus to be born. Without the Virgin Birth, there would be no Christmas.
The Bible doesn’t say much about Joseph, but there is much that we can find out about him. Joseph was born in Bethlehem. Joseph was a carpenter. Joseph was a bachelor. Joseph was handpicked by God to be the foster father of Jesus. Read more in Matthew 1:18-25. The last thing Scripture says about Joseph is that Jesus was obedient to him and his mother Mary, and that Jesus grew in wisdom and stature. Luke 2:41-52
The Shepherd is calling us right now to follow Him. He asks us to be bold and courageous, and follow Mary and Joseph’s example, do what He asks us to do.
Now we follow Jesus from His lowly birth, to His young life.
First, in the temple revealed in Luke 2:21-38. Then come the Wise Men, or ‘Magi’, from the East a year or more after Jesus is born, recalled in Matthew 2:1-11. Now read about the escape in to Egypt in Matthew 2:13-15, and then finally the return to Nazareth in Matthew 2:19-23.
We can look at the first time The Shepherd, started to reveal, and therefore confirm, to Mary and Joseph who He was. (Luke 2:41:51) If Jesus, who was perfect, submitted himself completely to imperfect parents, how much more must we submit our imperfect lives to our perfect heavenly Father?
Questions:
- What and who Governs Your Life?
- What is the driving force that gets you up in the mornings?
The answer to these two questions will reveal to you what god you are serving, and by association, where your eternal destiny lies.
The Shepherd Speaks 