“How Can This Be?!”

“And he went down with them and came to Nazareth and was submissive to them. And his mother treasured up all these things in her heart. And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man.” (Luke 2:51-52 ESV)

Chapter 2 of Luke’s Gospel account focuses on the birth and early years of Jesus' life. We read of the requirement that Joseph, Jesus’ earthly father, and his wife Mary make the trip to Bethlehem, some 65 miles north of Galilee. You see, both Jesus’ family being from Galilee and His being born in Bethlehem were prophecies given by the prophets Isiah (700 years earlier) and Micah (400 years earlier) before Jesus was born.

We see the reaction of the shepherds in the fields tending to their flocks of sheep, as the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid”. Have you ever noticed that, generally, the first words angels speak to humans are “Do not be afraid!” I’m sure that over the centuries, as these messengers of God spoke to humans, there were plenty of times when humans were terrified. The angels found they had to repeat everything they had just said because the humans couldn’t comprehend what was happening. So saying  “Do not be afraid” was a great way for them to start their message.

The angel continued with their announcement, “Behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which shall be for all people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” Again, Dr. Luke shows us another fulfillment of an Old Testament Prophecy given to the prophet Micah.

Then, as an act of obedience to the Old Testament Law, Jesus’ earthly parents took Him to the temple to present Him to the Lord. The priest on duty that day was Simeon, and we are told that “the Holy Spirit was upon him.” Simeon then took the infant Jesus in his arms and proclaimed, “Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel.” And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him.”  

After these events and marvelous declarations about Jesus, we see that His family returned to their home in Galilee. We aren’t told much about the life of Jesus as a child, but we are told that “And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom. And the favor of God was upon him.” (2:40). One thing that I find curiously wonderful in Scripture is that God doesn’t rush. God is not impressed by earthly events to hurry up the fulfillment of His own words. God is never boxed in a corner and feels pressured to act “right now,” or disaster will come. God allowed Jesus the time he needed to grow and become strong. God was patient, and God’s favor was upon His son, Jesus.

The word the ESV translated “favor” is the same word that is elsewhere translated “grace”. Of course, we know that the Greek word (χάρις), ‘charis,’ means “undeserved favor”, given by God the Father. There have been books written trying to describe and explain this one word, Grace. “Grace” is often paired with the word “Mercy,” and rightly so; it seems to be the other side of the same coin. Mercy means “NOT receiving what we do deserve,” and Grace means “Receiving what we DO NOT deserve”. When you receive one, you receive the other as well. This same grace that God gave to His only begotten Son, our Lord Jesus, is exactly what He gives to anyone who would accept His Son as their Savior.

You see, we don’t deserve God’s Grace; what we deserve is God’s justice and a sentence of death, separation from God for all of eternity, for the sins that we have committed. “But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved…” We see God’s Mercy and Grace in action; He has saved all who will call upon the name of His beloved Son.

Then comes one of the loveliest verses in this gospel message. We read in verse 51, “And his mother treasured up all these things in her heart.” You see, I’m not convinced that Mary could fully understand the dual nature of her son, Jesus. She knew He was completely human, after all, she took care of Him as an infant, she nursed him, changed His soiled cloths, she saw Him eat and play with other children, she knew this nature of Jesus. She also remembered the miraculous conception of Jesus, the words spoken by the angel, Simeon, and Anna, and the prophecies that foretold Jesus' coming to provide salvation for all who would believe in Him. I’m sure she said more than once, “How can this be?” But Mary “treasured up these things in her heart.” 

That’s the way it is with us also, isn’t it? There are so many wonderful things about God becoming a man and dying on a cross for our sins. To rise on the third day to show that he has dominion even over death. Then to indwell every one of us that will put our trust in Him. I know that I have asked many times, “How can this be?” But like Mary, I treasure up these truths in my heart.

It’s my prayer that you and I never stop “treasuring up in our hearts” the truth about what Jesus did for us. I pray that we never treat our salvation as just another event in our lives. But we stop to remember what God did for us. I hope we ask, “How can this be?” that a holy, righteous God could possibly love us enough to send His only begotten Son to die for our sins. “How can this be?” And of course, the answer, my friend, is God’s Grace.

"Living in Grace is not about what I can do, but about what Jesus has already done!"