LUKE 2

 From 8 days old until 12, and then from 12 until like 30.  Those are some big gaps.  

I wonder what Jesus was like as a fifth grader.  I bet He would be a hard worker in class - probably pretty smart!  I picture Him as being respectful and being someone a teacher could trust.  But, I also picture Him having a lot of fun.  Some may have made fun of Him because He had to be different; however, I see Him as being....

You know what, as I type this, I start to doubt the sterotypical thoughts that come into my mind.  Maybe Jesus was a quiet, shy kid who really wasn't sure who He was.  Maybe He was active and a little rambunctious - just loving life.  He had no sin, so I'm sure He wasn't mean, but maybe He was a little tough to handle because He already realized His real authority was God.  Who really knows?

And then I started to think what He would have been like if He had made it to 54.  What kind of things would He have been doing?  Would He still be traveling around with disciples?  Would He be more of the Joshua type - just kind of hanging out at home and helping people who needed help?  

At the start, I was trying to figure out what I could do to help these kids I teach - who could I help them become.  And then I started to think about how I could be more like Jesus now.  The hard thing is, we don't really know exactly what You were like.  And I'm not sure it even matters.

Really, that prophet may have said it best, "so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed."  Because of You, who we are becomes known.  If we are selfish, people will know.  If we care about others, people will know.  If we don't give a rip, people will know.  

Is this crazy?  Our goal is not to become like You, it's to make sure our hearts are in line with Yours so that we become the best us that we can.