Edward E. Rochon

I can't say that I learned anything new from the Bible study. I did learn something about the Greek text behind the Epistle. However, for the most part it confirmed what I already believed about the church. I know this is not what you would like to hear Pastor Ralph. Doubltless, you would feel better if I experienced an epiphany from the study. Sincerely, Ed Rochon

All creation exists by the grace of God. Everything we have we owe to the Lord. This is as true of the man Jesus as it is for us. All owe their life to God.

Jesus took on the life of a man, and as a Jewish man was subject to the law. Children were obligated to obey their parents and to obey the commandment to honor your father and mother. In order to be a sinless offering Jesus had to obey all God's ordinances. As for obeying people whom you might consider inferior to you, scripture teaches that all authority comes from God -- even secular and/or flawed authority. So we obey the authorities of this world out of respect for God.

3. Why was Jesus so engrossed in the Temple? (2:46-49) How was this interaction with Jerusalem's top teachers important for his own development? How did this represent something that was absolutely necessary for him to do? How did this relate to his calling? The temple was God's dwelling place on earth. Jesus, the Son of God, was interested in the proper worship of God by the Jews. To quote scripture: "Zeal for your house will consume me."(John 2:17; Psalms 69:9). Christ was a man, so he learned like any man learns -- through experience. In his life he took the measure of the teachers of the law. This was necessary to fulfill his mission of reforming the Jewish religion and of fulfilling the ultimate destiny of God's elect.