Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers
Luke 2:47
Imagine going to a conference organised by the world’s leading professors in Quantum physics to discuss new inventions and policies around aerodynamics. You look at the panellists only to find twelve-year old high school science student ready to contribute and challenge some of the theories being put forward by the professors.
That is similar to what we saw with Jesus at the temple. His parents had been searching for him for three days. After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions.
For the Passover season, it was the custom for the Sanhedrin to meet in public in the Temple court to discuss, in the presence of all who would listen, religious and theological questions.
When you consider the impressive intellectual insight and analysis of Jewish Rabbis, this is impressive. Jesus did have a unique advantage though, having a special relationship with the writer of God’s Word.
While the scholars depended on rigorous academic analysis and textual comprehension, Jesus had an insight into God because he is God and the scripture which is now a subject of intellectual argument to the scholars is the revelation of Jesus Christ in the first place.
Proper hermeneutics is good, studying commentaries to gain deeper understanding of the scripture is great but the best resource we can get to make the most of God’s word is the help of the Holy Spirit. Surely, the Spirit that witnessed and inspired the events recorded in the scripture can render a better help about the comprehension of it than any human attempt.
Today as you look at God’s word, be deliberate about asking the Holy Spirit to open the scripture to you and you will be amazed at what you will come out with.
PRAYER
Heavenly Father, I invite your Holy Spirit to guide me as I delve into your Word. Open my eyes to behold the wondrous truths hidden within the Scriptures. Grant me wisdom and understanding beyond my human capacity. May your Word come alive in my heart, transforming me into a vessel of your divine wisdom. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
