Jesus, No Ordinary Child

 

This week in "Come, Follow Me," we learn that Jesus was no ordinary child. From the day of his birth there was a new star in the heavens and a joyous angelic proclamation of his birth. 

There was also a variety of faithful people, even from other nations, professions, and backgrounds that were drawn to Him. And this happened long before He invited anyone to come and follow Him. 

There were those that didn't notice Him at all, those jealous rulers that sought to take His life. However, there were also humble and devoted seekers of righteousness that saw Him for who He really was, the promised Messiah. It is through their devotion to Him that we can be inspired to be more devoted to Him as well. After all, the "Good Tidings of Great Joy," were meant for all people. And the Savior, Jesus, who was born that day, was born for us all. 

The first point this lesson makes is that Jesus Christ was born in humble circumstances. Even though Christ had the glory with God the Father before the world was (John 17:5) He was willing to be born in lowly circumstances and dwell with us here on earth.

There were many witnesses of Jesus's birth and infancy as well as many who worshiped Him. They all came from many walks of life. There were the shepherds who were in the fields. They "made haste" as soon as they heard the good news. There was Simeon who waited his entire life for a promise to be fulfilled until the moment that he beheld Jesus in his mother's arms. There was Anna, who served in the temple night and day. And there were the wise men, that traveled from a far, that saw Jesus as a young child. 

We also learn from these two chapters that parents can receive revelation to protect their families. Joseph was only able to protect Jesus with heavenly help, he was not able to fulfill his role without it. The wise men also received revelation that they should go home another way and not return to King Herod. 

There are spiritual and physical dangers that we face today. I am sure that there are many times in your life that you have felt God's guidance in protecting you and your loved ones. I know I have. 

A moment that immediately comes to mind is when I was a young mother and I lived in Buffalo, Missouri. I was driving to the school with my youngest son in the van with me. I was going to pick up my other three children. As I approached the intersection of two highways, I came to a stop. I was about to pull forward when I heard a voice sternly tell me to stop. It sounded very much like my grandfather's voice. My foot slammed on the brake immediately, almost as if I wasn't the one doing it. Right then, a car came swerving around the corner and it rolled several times crossing the path that I would have been in. I realized that my son and I would have been hit and was a little shocked with everything that happened. After I got my composure back, I drove to the side of the road by the car that was now lying on its roof, and I heard a woman crying. I will never forget the sound of her cries.

I looked into the window and I saw a young baby in a car seat with the seatbelt wrapped around its neck and the baby was turning purple. I used all the strength I had to pull that door open and I got the baby out. I left it in the car seat because I was not sure if there were other injuries. The baby was breathing but totally still. The mother called for me to find her cell phone. There was a lot of debris everywhere, but I found it and gave her the phone. She called her mother and told her what happened. Emergency crews arrived and started to extricate her from the car. At that point, I felt that I had done all I could do, and I continued on my way to go and pick up my children. When I got to the school, I collapsed from the stress and shock of it all. And the story was on the local radio already. It was interesting to hear because some people at the scene thought I was an angel. (I do have very fair skin) and that it was a miracle that the door was able to be opened because it was damaged so badly. I was very sore for the next several days. I am grateful for the warning to protect my own family and myself as well as the ability to be there right as the accident happened so I could render aid. I never heard anything else about the woman, her name, who she was, or if she and the baby were OK, but I assume that they are. 

The next part of the lesson talks about that even when Jesus was young, that He was focused on doing His Father's will. 

I love knowing that Jesus taught the Gospel so powerfully that even as a 12 year old boy, he held the attention of the teachers at the temple. They were astonished at his "understanding and answers." This opens up the thought how youth today are seeking to be about God, their Father's business. Something that comes to mind for me is missionary work. So many young men and women perform missionary and temple work from their youth. And then when they are older, serve missions. My youngest son is serving a mission in Honduras right now. He definitely is doing God's work rather than his own. Before my son left on his mission, he accomplished several things. He completed high school and an associates degree in physics at the same time. He also joined the Army. Once high school was over he went to basic training and AIT. He fulfilled his duties as a National Guard. He chose to serve God and go on his mission. He definitely could have chosen to go to college for his bachelor degree, and ROTC to move forward in his military career as well. However, he chose to put God first. I cannot even tell you how many people have come to Christ because of this choice that he made. I have lost count. He definitely has trials and struggles being in Honduras, but there have been so many spiritual blessings in his life and the lives of others. He definitely is about his Father's business.

 

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