LHM Daily Devotions - WISE BROTHER

"WISE BROTHER"

Jan. 6, 2019

And the Child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom. And the favor of God was upon Him.

~ Luke 2:40 (ESV)

Wisdom is not a word we usually associate with children. "Silly," maybe. "Foolish." "Naïve and inexperienced." But not "wise."

It must have been something else to have Jesus as a brother in your family. We know from the Bible He had at least four brothers and two sisters (Mark 6:3). What would it be like, to have a sinless brother? To have a wise one-one who never went joy-riding on the family donkey, who always took the garbage out without being reminded, who only used the sharp tools in the carpenter's shop after getting permission?

My first impulse is to think, "That would be a nightmare." Jesus would make the other kids look bad by contrast. But then, maybe not. Because He would also be the brother who helped you with your Hebrew homework. Who stuck up for you when the neighborhood bully was after you. Who comforted you when your best friend got angry with you, or when you got into trouble with mom and dad.

Truly, we don't need to guess. Jesus is in fact our big Brother—our wise, loving, and good big brother. He is the one Paul calls "the wisdom of God," who has become our "righteousness and sanctification and redemption" (1 Corinthians 1:30). No joy-rides on a donkey for Him—instead a long, grueling walk to the cross. The carpenter's sharp tools were used on Him there, so we could be saved. And as for taking out the garbage—well, yes indeed! He took out all the trash of the human race, all our sin and guilt and evil and shame. Never again do we have to live with those things. Now we live forever with our loving, wise Brother, who is not ashamed to call us His brothers and sisters. Thanks be to God.

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord Jesus, thank You for coming to be my brother and my Savior. Stay with me always. Amen.

The Coming King REFLECTION QUESTIONS!

• What would you expect a wise child to be like? Be as specific as you can.

• When you were a child, whom did you look up to, and why? This could be a brother or sister, or someone else.

• How does Jesus' wisdom comfort you?

Advent Devotions were written by Dr. Kari Vo. Use these devotions in your newsletter and bulletin! Used by permission; all rights reserved by the Int'l LLL (LHM).
What would you expect a wise child to be like? Be as specific as you can.