Faithful on Fridays Blog

Scene Two

Let’s talk more about Mary. Can you imagine Luke, this Gentile physician, questioning her about the Son she watched be brutally executed, rise from death, and leave her? He wanted intimate details and she was now ready to share them. Chapter 2 is the most complete story of Jesus from conception to ascension and Luke was the man for the job. Undoubtedly trained in the Socratic approach to discussion he probably asked intentional, open-ended questions to stimulate Mary’s memory. He knew how to attentively listen and reflect back on their conversations, consequently stimulating more of her treasured memories. Now the passages make sense,

But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. 

And His mother treasured up all these things in her heart. Luke 2:19, 51b 

Mama’s do that. What tender moments she must’ve experienced with Luke as the hours flew by, smiling and reflecting on that part of her life now in her distant past. 

Only Luke records the supernatural encounter with Simeon at the Temple after Jesus’ circumcision (a medical and religious procedure) giving us insight into the Gentile connection.

“… for my eyes have seen Your salvation that You have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to Your people Israel.” Luke 2:32

Luke’s unique perspective recounts Jesus growing up strong and healthy, but also an insightful and charismatic boy at age twelve. Apparently it was obvious to his family and friends that His Father extended blessing, favor, and charisma to Him. However, He was a boy on a mission and His family needed to understand that. Mary related the story of Jesus attending Passover in Jerusalem and He took the opportunity to stay a little longer in His Father’s house, doing His Father’s business. Luke’s antennas were perked up with that story since, once again, the religious teachers were using the Socratic approach he’d learned. Jesus wasn’t disobedient or insensitive to His parents, but had a higher calling that Mary could now understand.

Luke rapidly moves the story along from age 12 to about 30 in Chapters 3-4 when Jesus, full of the power of the Spirit, endured the devil’s temptations and launched His 3 year ministry to the lost sheep of Israel and the ‘other sheep’: that’s you and me. Only Luke records Jesus in the synagogue reading from the scroll (Is. 61:1-3) and declaring Himself the One who fulfills this prophecy. At first the reaction was admiration and wonder, but quickly turned to rage. Who’s this local boy calling Himself the Messiah? Jesus responded with a proverb, “Physician, heal yourself!” In other words, “Prove it!” Comparing Himself to the miracles of their beloved prophets Elijah and Elisha didn’t help and they drove Him to a cliff where He’d meet His death. Jesus supernaturally escaped to the Galilee as Mary remembered, back in the synagogue proving His authority over demons. What a unique perspective of His first day!