The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Luke 2:40-51, “The Child (Jesus) continued to grow and become strong, increasing in wisdom; and the grace of God was upon Him.
41 Now His parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover.
42 And when He became twelve, they went up there according to the custom of the Feast;
43 and as they were returning, after spending the full number of days, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. But His parents were unaware of it,
44 but supposed Him to be in the caravan, and went a day’s journey; and they began looking for Him among their relatives and acquaintances.
45 When they did not find Him, they returned to Jerusalem looking for Him.
46 Then, after three days they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both listening to them and asking them questions.
47 And all who heard Him were amazed at His understanding and His answers.
48 When they saw Him, they were astonished; and His mother said to Him, “Son, why have You treated us this way? Behold, Your father and I have been anxiously looking for You.”
49 And He said to them, “Why is it that you were looking for Me? Did you not know that I had to be in My Father’s house?”
50 But they did not understand the statement which He had made to them.
51 And He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and He continued in subjection to them; and His mother treasured all these things in her heart.”

Time does things to all of us. It was the same with the boy Jesus. He grew physically, as we would expect; however, He also gained wisdom, the ability to understand and apply the principles of life. All He gained were the enablings of the Father.

Parents who are Godly quite naturally desire their children also to walk in the ways of the LORD. Furthermore, they endeavor that their lives might set a Godly example for their children.

One aspect of Godly living was their annual attendance of the Feast of the Passover in Jerusalem. The Feast originated in Egypt on the night prior to Israel’s departure (Ex. 12:11). The food was eaten in haste because of the need to quickly escape the Egyptian army.

Israeli homes were to be thoroughly cleansed. Blood was sprinkled on the doorposts of all Israeli dwellings, and on the cross piece above the entrance. Thereafter, this ritual was to be observed annually, as it is in orthodox Jewish homes today. Oh, that we
Christians were as diligent as those we endeavor to evangelize!

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.
Springdale, Arkansas 72764
United States of America

“We never know that Christ is all we need until He becomes all that we have.” – Corrie ten Boom