Numbers 26:38-51; Luke 2:36-40; Psalms 61:1-3; Proverbs 16:16-17
NT: “There was also a prophetess, Anna, a daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was well along in years, having lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, and was a widow for eighty-four years. She did not leave the temple, serving God night and day with fasting and prayers. At that very moment, she came up and began to thank God and to speak about him to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem. When they had completed everything according to the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. The boy grew up and became strong, filled with wisdom, and God’s grace was on him.” (Luke 2:36-40 CSB)
While Simeon was singing out his praises, another person came up and joined in. This person was Anna, an elderly woman who was also a prophetess. Not only did she join Simeon in lifting up praise and thanksgiving, she also began to tell others the good news. We see in Luke’s account that Joseph and Mary were very devout followers of the Lord. They were very intentional and took special care to make sure they followed all that was required of them in the law. Through Matthew’s account, we know that Joseph, Mary and Jesus did not immediately return to Galilee. Some time after Jesus’ dedication in the temple, the Maggi came to pay them a visit; and then they fled to Egypt to save Jesus from Herod’s slaughter of sons in the area 2 years old and under. It was after they returned from Egypt that they ended up settling back in Galilee. As Jesus grew, He submitted Himself to His earthly parents as well as to His Heavenly Father – and in so doing was filled with wisdom and covered by God’s grace. Joseph’s and Mary’s devoted submission to God and to His law was undoubtedly taught to their Son, and through His obedience and submission, He grew into the man He was sent to be.
Proverbs: “Get wisdom — how much better it is than gold! And get understanding — it is preferable to silver. The highway of the upright avoids evil; the one who guards his way protects his life.” (Proverbs 16:16-17 CSB)
Jesus grew in wisdom by submitting to His parents, submitting to the Law, and submitting to His Father in heaven. As we submit to righteousness, we intentionally watch over our lives, and through the grace of God that comes through humble submission, we avoid evil. We don’t just follow our whims and desires… we don’t primarily pursue our own happiness. Instead, we surrender our “right” to pursue happiness and submit primarily to the Lord, His word, His will, and His ways. In doing that, we are filled with wisdom and graced with peace and joy… and we become all that we were created to be.
Jamie Hicks 