The Manger – Jesus, Freeze Frame: Real Time | March 3, 2013 Service

Is he—quite safe? I shall feel rather nervous about meeting a lion.” “That you will . . . and make no mistake,” said Mrs. Beaver, “if there’s anyone who can appear before Aslan without their knees knocking, they’re either braver than most or else silly.” “Then he isn’t safe?” said Lucy. “Safe?” said Mr. Beaver . . . Who said anything about safe? ‘Course he isn’t safe. But he’s good. He’s the King, I tell you.”
-C. S. Lewis, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe

Heedless of the danger, they took charge of the sick, attending to their every need, and ministering to them in Christ. And with them departed this life serenely happy, for they were infected by others with the disease, drawing on themselves the sickness of their neighbors, and cheerfully accepting their pains.
-John Ortberg, Who is this Man?

Is Jesus safe? Of course, he’s not safe. He’s the King.

Is following Jesus safe and comfortable?

Luke 2:34-35
Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.”

Luke 2:41
Every year Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem for the Festival of the Passover.

Psalms 120-134
Songs of Ascent

Bar Mitzvah—“son of the Law”

Luke 2:42
When he was twelve years old, they went up to the festival, according to the custom.

Luke 2:44
Thinking he was in their company, they traveled on for a day. Then they began looking for him among their relatives and friends.

Luke 2:4­6-49
After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers. When his parents saw him, they were astonished. His mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you.”

“Why were you searching for me?” he asked. “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?”

Luke 2:46-47
After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers.

Luke 2:50-52
But they did not understand what he was saying to them.

Then he went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. But his mother treasured all these things in her heart. And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.

Parents, our job is to encourage and enable your kids to follow hard after Jesus—something that is not always comfortable or safe.

Jesus is not safe…but he’s good.

Ephesians 6:2-3
Honor your father and mother—which is the first commandment with a promise—so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.

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