- Ken Dillman
- Jan 18, 2025
DAILY READING
REFLECTION
Two Bookends of Wisdom
by Ken Dillman
Today’s passage of Scripture is filled with enough information and application to supply a pastor with sermons for months, but the Bible wasn’t specifically written and preserved as material for Sunday sermons.
The apostle Paul wrote to the church in Rome saying, “For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.” (Rom. 15:4) God preserved the Bible in the way that he did to give us hope, as such, we are compelled to continue to tell its stories.
There are two bookends in this passage recounting the events when Jesus was twelve years old; first, Luke tells us that Jesus “was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was on him.” (V40) Mary and Joseph were devout parents; on their return trip from their annual journey to Jerusalem for Passover, they discover Jesus is missing from their caravan, they return to Jerusalem searching for Jesus and find him in the temple courts sitting among the teachers and rabbis, fully engaged with them.
Jesus was listening, asking questions, and those gathered were amazed at his understanding, as well as his answers to the rabbis. Jesus is our example that spiritual growth doesn’t happen by osmosis. With this being Passover, Jesus would have likely been learning from teachers/rabbis who would have been Israel’s best, maybe even the esteemed Hillel, Simeon, and perhaps Gamaliel who taught the apostle Paul.
It was likely in this setting that Jesus experienced the genesis of what would later define his ministry; the time when Jesus had a woman caught in adultery brought to him, the time when he was asked if taxes should be paid to Caesar, the time he was challenged about doing good on the Sabbath, and his radical teaching of the Sermon on the Mount.
Jesus had been endowed with wisdom from God and understood that he needed to grow in the Scriptures and in the rabbi’s wisdom. During his ministry, Jesus directly quoted or referenced Old Testament passages and figures dozens and dozens of times. By familiarizing himself with the Scriptures, he was later able to rephrase them in his own words and parables that people could easily understand.
The second bookend is seen when Mary and Joseph find Jesus and begin the journey home, this passage tells us that “Jesus grew strong in mind.” (V52) Even though Jesus was endowed with wisdom by his Heavenly Father, he was still responsible to grow in wisdom. If Jesus needed to grow in wisdom, how much more do we need to grow in wisdom, both from the Scriptures and from seasoned teachers.
PRAYER
Father, you have given us wisdom; help us to continue to grow in wisdom, both from the Scriptures and seasoned saints who can instruct and guide us in the wisdom you have given them. Help us also to pass our own wisdom to others, that they may grow and mature in their faith.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
KEN DILLMAN
My wife, Karen and I have been attending UALC for 6-7 years and enjoy God's presence in our gatherings. We live in Hilliard; our three adult children live in Central Ohio. I am a retired Chaplain and Pastor, and enjoy writing, walking, jogging, and listening to live music. I appreciate the opportunity to write for the church’s devotionals.
