The Daily Fountain Devotional of the Church Of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) 19 March 2026 – Growing In The Word Of God
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TOPIC: Growing In The Word Of God
READ: Luke 2:41-52 (KJV)
41 Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the passover.
42 And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast.
43 And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it.
44 But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day’s journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance.
45 And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him.
46 And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions.
47 And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers.
48 And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing.
49 And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father’s business?
50 And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them.
51 And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart.
52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.
THE MESSAGE:
In our text today, we see that Jesus’ parents took Him to Jerusalem for the Feast of the Passover, as was customary for Jewish families. When Jesus was 12 years old, they made the journey as usual. However, on the return trip, Jesus’ parents realised He was missing. They searched for Him among their relatives and friends but couldn’t find Him. Eventually, they returned to Jerusalem and found Jesus in the Temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking questions. When Mary and Joseph asked Jesus why He had stayed behind, He replied, “Why were you searching for me? Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?” (Luke 2:49). From this response, we observe Jesus’ quest to learn from advanced teachers.
As believers, regardless of our status, we must humble ourselves to deepen our knowledge of God through intentional study and submission to those ahead of us. The time Jesus spent learning was never a waste as we see the evidence in Luke 2:52 “And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.” In Isaiah 37:31 also, we see that the depth of our root will determine how fruitful we will become. To surrender to Christ is the first step to knowing Him but to become a fruitful Christian, we must turn away from the distractions of this age and study our Bible and other Christian literature if we want to grow in God. Resolve to spend time in the place of study.
PRAYER: Lord, put in me a hunger for Your word and fill me with grace to live out Your word at all times. Amen.
