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<DIV><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: #663300; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><FONT
color=#000000 size=4 face="Times New Roman">For a while, as our faith is still
in its infancy or childhood, we may hold on to Jesus and treasure him in our
hearts.<BR>But as our faith in Jesus grows, we are be willing to “lose” him and
release him to the world and let the world find the “lost”
Jesus.<BR></FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: #663300; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><FONT
color=#000000 size=4 face="Times New Roman"></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: #663300; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><FONT
color=#000000 size=4 face="Times New Roman">As he was born in our hearts, we
should let him “go” so that he might be born in other people’s hearts as well,
for although he belongs to us, he also belongs to the world.</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: #663300; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><FONT
color=#000000 size=4 face="Times New Roman"></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: #663300; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><FONT
color=#000000 size=4 face="Times New Roman"><A
href="http://www.saintsinsincity.org/?p=2334">http://www.saintsinsincity.org/?p=2334</A></FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: #663300; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><FONT
color=#000000 size=4 face="Times New Roman"></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: #663300; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><FONT
face="Times New Roman"><SPAN class=comment_author><FONT color=#000000 size=4>Ed
Fernandez</FONT></SPAN></FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: #663300; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><FONT
color=#000000 size=4 face="Times New Roman"><SPAN
class=comment_author></SPAN></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: #663300; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><FONT
color=#000000 size=4 face="Times New Roman">(not Edward Granadosin as
incorrectly noted in Part 2)</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: #663300; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><FONT
color=#000000 size=4 face="Times New Roman">- - - - -</FONT></SPAN></DIV></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: #663300; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><FONT
color=#000000 size=4 face="Times New Roman"></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: #663300; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><FONT
color=#000000 size=4 face="Times New Roman">Twice, Joseph and Mary are said to
be "seeking" Jesus. This puts Jesus' parents, Joseph and Mary, in the
same position as the rest of us. Later, "multitudes" also seek Jesus
(6:19). Later, Jesus will also say that those who "seek" will
find (11:9) and that we are to "seek" the kingdom of God, or the reign of God on
earth (12:31).</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: #663300; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><FONT
color=#000000 size=4 face="Times New Roman"><></FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: #663300; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><FONT
color=#000000 size=4 face="Times New Roman">The second sentence is
difficult. It is usually translated as NRSV does: "Did you not know
that I must be in my Father’s house?” The problem is that the word "house"
does not actually appear in the Greek text. It is not entirely clear
how the sentence should read. Literally, we have: "in the ____ of my
Father it is necessary that I be." Something is missing in English which
would be understood in Greek. Tannehill says the expression
could refer to "house", but it could also refer to "things" or "business" or
"interests" (p. 76).</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: #663300; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><FONT
color=#000000 size=4 face="Times New Roman"></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: #663300; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><FONT
color=#000000 size=4 face="Times New Roman"><A
href="http://www.progressiveinvolvement.com/progressive_involvement/2009/12/lectionary-blogging-luke-2-4152.html">http://www.progressiveinvolvement.com/progressive_involvement/2009/12/lectionary-blogging-luke-2-4152.html</A></FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: #663300; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><FONT
color=#000000 face="Times New Roman"></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: #663300; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><FONT
color=#000000 size=4 face="Times New Roman">John
Petty, 2009</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: #663300; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><FONT
color=#000000 size=4 face="Times New Roman">- - - - -</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: #663300; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><FONT
color=#000000 size=4 face="Times New Roman"></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: #663300; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><FONT
color=#000000 size=4 face="Times New Roman">Can doing what God has called us to
do cause pain and agony to one's self? If 12-year-old Jesus was as compassionate
as I think he was, I believe that the pain he caused his parents, he also took
upon himself. While he may have preferred to stay in the temple, learning from
and teaching the elders, he returns to Nazareth (a somewhat pagan, border town)
and is obedient to him. What was God's will for Jesus to do at that time?
Sometimes the answer is not too clear. Sometimes it is a choice between two good
things. </FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: #663300; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><FONT
color=#000000 size=4 face="Times New Roman"></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: #663300; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><FONT
color=#000000 size=4 face="Times New Roman"><A
href="http://www.crossmarks.com/brian/luke2x41.htm">http://www.crossmarks.com/brian/luke2x41.htm</A></FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: #663300; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><FONT
color=#000000 size=4 face="Times New Roman"></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: #663300; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><FONT
color=#000000 size=4 face="Times New Roman">Brian Stoffregen<BR>- - - -
-</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: #663300; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><FONT
color=#000000 size=4 face="Times New Roman">
<DIV><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: #663300; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"></SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: #663300; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><FONT color=#000000
size=4 face="Times New Roman"> </DIV>
<DIV>Exodus 12:1-27 and Deuteronomy 16:1-8 command the annual observance of the
Passover in Jerusalem. </DIV>
<DIV></FONT></SPAN></FONT></SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: #663300; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><FONT color=#000000
size=4 face="Times New Roman"><></FONT></SPAN></DIV></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: #663300; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><FONT
color=#000000 size=4 face="Times New Roman"><FONT size=3>When preaching on this
text it is important to remember that Luke is not writing a "How To" book for
parenting; nor is he writing a morality tale to illustrate proper behaviour for
children. </FONT></FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: #663300; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><FONT
color=#000000 size=4 face="Times New Roman"><FONT
size=3></FONT></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: #663300; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><FONT
color=#000000 size=4 face="Times New Roman"><FONT size=3><FONT size=4><A
href="http://www.holytextures.com/2009/12/luke-2-41-52-year-c-christmas-1-sermon.html">http://www.holytextures.com/2009/12/luke-2-41-52-year-c-christmas-1-sermon.html</A></FONT></FONT></FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: #663300; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><FONT
color=#000000 size=4 face="Times New Roman"><FONT size=3><FONT
size=4></FONT></FONT></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: #663300; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><FONT
color=#000000 face="Times New Roman"><FONT size=4>David Ewart,
2009</FONT></FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: #663300; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><FONT
color=#000000 face="Times New Roman"><FONT size=4>- - - -
-</FONT></FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: #663300; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><FONT
color=#000000 face="Times New Roman"><FONT
size=4></FONT></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: #663300; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><FONT
color=#000000 face="Times New Roman"><FONT size=4>In the Temple, Jesus is a good
<I>listener</I>. It's not that he's doing the teaching as some have been
inclined to read into this incident. True, 'all were astounded' at his
contribution, but LK isn't portraying a precocious religious prodigy. Behind the
teaching, formal & informal, Jesus is tuned into his Father, God. Are we on
the same 'wavelength'? Also, are we listening to our teachers well enough?
Asking the right kinds of questions? If we are the teacher, are we worth
listening to? Questioning? </FONT></FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: #663300; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><FONT
color=#000000 face="Times New Roman"><FONT
size=4></FONT></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: #663300; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><FONT
color=#000000 face="Times New Roman"><FONT size=4><A
href="http://www.angelfire.com/journal2/laterallyluke/LLK24152XMAS103.html">http://www.angelfire.com/journal2/laterallyluke/LLK24152XMAS103.html</A></FONT></FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: #663300; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><FONT
color=#000000 face="Times New Roman"><FONT
size=4></FONT></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: #663300; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><FONT
color=#000000 face="Times New Roman"><FONT size=4>Brian
McGowan</FONT></FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: #663300; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><FONT
color=#000000 face="Times New Roman"><FONT size=4>- - - -
-</FONT></FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: #663300; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><FONT
color=#000000 face="Times New Roman"><FONT
size=4></FONT></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: #663300; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><FONT
color=#000000 face="Times New Roman"><FONT size=4>Another thought: If Jesus was
born in the spring (the time at which lambs are birthed), maybe the festival
referred to was also his birthday. </DIV></FONT></FONT></SPAN>
<DIV><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: #663300; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><FONT
color=#000000 face="Times New Roman"><FONT
size=4><></FONT></FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: #663300; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><FONT
color=#000000 size=4 face="Times New Roman">A challenge: Why is it that our
witness seems to lose human (and maybe divine) favor in today's world? Is it
because of culture wars, Biblical interpretation re homosexuality, controversy,
feminism, pro and con abortion issues, same sex commitments and worship wars?
What might we need to enjoy "divine and human favor?" Why are we "losing" and
"declining?" Have we lost it? Are we anxious like Jesus' parents because of
uninformed, prejudicial, "don't understand," and/or legalistic attachments
(under the Law) to Scripture quotations rather than "family response-ability" to
the Father of our Lord who would have none be "lost?" </FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: #663300; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><FONT
color=#000000 size=4 face="Times New Roman"></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: #663300; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><A
href="http://www.crossings.org/theology/2010/theolo764.shtml"><FONT size=4
face="Times New Roman">http://www.crossings.org/theology/2010/theolo764.shtml</FONT></A></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: #663300; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><FONT
color=#000000></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: #663300; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><FONT
color=#000000><FONT size=4 face="Times New Roman">Norb
Kabelitz, 2009</FONT></FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: #663300; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><FONT
color=#000000><FONT size=4 face="Times New Roman">- - - -
-</FONT></FONT></SPAN></DIV>
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color=#000000><FONT size=4
face="Times New Roman"></FONT> </DIV></FONT></SPAN></FONT></BODY></HTML>