46 After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. 47 And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. 48 And when his parents saw him, they were astonished. And his mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us so? Behold, your father and I have been searching for you in great distress.” 49 And he said to them, “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?”
Luke 2:46-49 ESV
If today's verse seem familiar, it should. It is the exact same passage from yesterday's entry, only I have selected a different translation. Yesterday's passage was from the King James Version and today the English Standard Version gets the nod.
The difference that struck me was that in the KJV, the young Jesus was quoted as saying, ". . .I must be about my Father's business." while the ESV rendered it as "I must be in my Father's house.” (Italics mine.) Personally I prefer the KJV.
Just being in God's house does not necessarily get anyone anywhere. It does not mean the Kingdom of God is being furthered. Many people think that just be being in God's house three hours a week fulfills their duty to God.
I realize that Luke was not describing an inactive, self-serving adolescent in his story of the 12-year old Christ who was in the temple, but we must not ever mistake church attendance for Christian living. Yes, being a part of a local church and regular attendance is a New Testament mandate, but it does little good if we are also not going about our Father's business.
If personal spiritual growth becomes an end unto itself, pride is most likely close behind. The purpose of spiritual growth is so we can better serve a Living Savior, not impress the deacons and elders with how much we know and the length of a passage of scripture we can quote.
Grow so you can go.
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