8: The Greatest Goal (Luke 2:41-52)

Jackie Watts

The Gospel of Luke: The Greatest Story Ever Told • Sermon • Submitted 2 years ago

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Some people think the Greatest Goal is to please people. Some live to please themselves & others live to please others - family & friends. But the older you get the more you realize this is simply not true nor possible.

The Man, the Boy, and the Donkey (story adapted from Aesop's Fable)

A Man and his son were once going with their Donkey to market. As they were walking along by its side a countryman passed said: "You fools, why don’t your RIDE the Donkey?"

So the Man put the Boy on the Donkey and they went on their way. But soon they passed a group of men, one of whom said: "See that lazy kid, he lets his father walk while he rides."

So the Man ordered his Boy to get off, and got on himself. But they hadn't gone far when they passed two women, one of whom said to the other: "Shame on that lazy man for riding while his poor son has to walk."

Well, the Man didn't know what to do, so he picked his boy up and put him in front as they BOTH rode the Donkey. By this time they had come to the town, and the passers-by began to jeer and point at them. The Man stopped and asked what they were scoffing at. The men said: "You should be ashamed for overloading that poor donkey of with the weight of you both!"

At last, someone saw the strange sight of a man & his son...carrying a donkey.

Please all, and you will please none. Therefore pleasing all can’t be our greatest goal. Still, simply pleasing yourself is not the Greatest Goal either.

So what is The Greatest Goal? Today we learn that lesson from a 12-year old boy.

left6350Luke 2:41 (NIV) 41 Every year Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem for the Festival of the Passover. 42 When he was twelve years old, they went up to the festival, according to the custom.Luke 2:41 (NIV) 41 Every year Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem for the Festival of the Passover. 42 When he was twelve years old, they went up to the festival, according to the custom.Luke 2:41 (NIV) 41 Every year Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem for the Festival of the Passover. 42 When he was twelve years old, they went up to the festival, according to the custom.Luke 2:41 (NIV) 41 Every year Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem for the Festival of the Passover. 42 When he was twelve years old, they went up to the festival, according to the custom.Passover was 1 of 3 feasts that Jewish men were to celebrate in Jerusalem (Ex. 23:17; 34:22–23; & Deut. 16:16). But by the first century, many of the Jewish people lived a long way from Palestine (due to the ‘diaspora’) and this made 3 major trips impractical. So, many Jewish men came to Jerusalem only for Passover.

Luke 2:41 (NIV)

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

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

Luke 2:41 (NIV)

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

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

This was an 8 day festival that kicked off with eating unleavened bread and eating the passover lamb, just as their ancestors had done on the night that God sent an angel to kill the firstborn of the Egyptians (read about that in Ex. 11-12).

It was Joseph & Mary’s practice to go every year to celebrate this Passover festival so this annual trip spanned about 80 miles & would take 3 to 4 days. The people would travel in caravans allowing time to fellowship with family & friends but also providing safety from thieves. Upon arriving there would of been hundreds of thousands of other Passover pilgrims with thousands of sacrificial lambs. Roman soldiers would have been on high alert & the city would have been teeming with activity.

At this point Jesus was twelve years old, so this Passover was especially important for Him. Like other Jewish boys, he would have been memorizing the Law of God...can you imagine that - sitting beside the teacher’s pet - He never missed ANYTHING! (Of course, He had written the test!). At thirteen the Jewish boy transitioned to manhood through a ceremony known as Bar Mitzvah (“son of the law” or “covenant”).

left6350Luke 2:43-44 (NIV) 43 After the festival was over, while his parents were returning home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but they were unaware of it. 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 2:43-44 (NIV) 43 After the festival was over, while his parents were returning home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but they were unaware of it. 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 2:43-44 (NIV) 43 After the festival was over, while his parents were returning home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but they were unaware of it. 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 2:43-44 (NIV) 43 After the festival was over, while his parents were returning home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but they were unaware of it. 44 Thinking he was in their company, they traveled on for a day. Then they began looking for him among their relatives and friends.It was time to load up and roll back to Nazareth. Maybe Jesus was traveling further behind - playing with his cousins or brothers - maybe they passed the Temple, and as they did...Jesus detoured that way - drawn to that place - the place where people gathered to worship the One true God in prayers, offerings, songs, & hearing the reading of the Scripture. However it happened, Mary & Joseph were expecting to see their 12 year old son show up at dinner time. He didn’t... the search began and Jesus was no where to be found. You ever been a few hours down the road and realized you forgot something you NEEDED? You had to turn back...and that’s what Mary & Joseph did.

Luke 2:43-44 (NIV)

43 After the festival was over, while his parents were returning home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but they were unaware of it. 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 2:43-44 (NIV)

left6350Luke 2:45-46 (NIV) 45 When they did not find him, they went back to Jerusalem to look for him. 46 After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. Luke 2:45-46 (NIV) 45 When they did not find him, they went back to Jerusalem to look for him. 46 After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. Luke 2:45-46 (NIV) 45 When they did not find him, they went back to Jerusalem to look for him. 46 After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. Luke 2:45-46 (NIV) 45 When they did not find him, they went back to Jerusalem to look for him. 46 After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. Can you imagine? The greatest theologians being stumped by the questions of a 12-year old? I wonder what they discussed - the goodness of God’s Law or prophecies concerning the Messiah. Whatever was discussed, this Q&A session ended with 12-year old giving the scholars insight into the meaning of the Scriptures!

Luke 2:45-46 (NIV)

45 When they did not find him, they went back to Jerusalem to look for him. 46 After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions.

Luke 2:45-46 (NIV)

left6350Luke 2:47 (NIV) 47 Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers.Luke 2:47 (NIV) 47 Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers.Luke 2:47 (NIV) 47 Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers.Luke 2:47 (NIV) 47 Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers.This is the only time in Luke uses this Greek word - didaskalos - to refer to Jewish teachers;. Throughout the rest of Luke’s gospel the term is reserved for John the Baptist (3:12) and Jesus. And no one is called “teacher” after Jesus became the teacher.

Luke 2:47 (NIV)

47 Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers.

Luke 2:47 (NIV)

47 Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers.

Meanwhile Joseph and Mary have been wandering Jerusalem asking if anyone had seen their son. Like any parent, they likely expected Jesus to be upset & worried - lost in the big city. Instead, they find Him sitting calmly engaging the elite teachers in the temple.

left6350Luke 2:48 (NIV) 48 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.” Luke 2:48 (NIV) 48 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.” Luke 2:48 (NIV) 48 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.” Luke 2:48 (NIV) 48 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.” Mary implies that Jesus has never treated His parents poorly. He had never given them any reason to be upset - He never disobeyed, He never lied, He never treated his brothers & sisters ugly...(sarcasm) sounds like YOUR home doesn’t it...while your kids were sleeping.

Luke 2:48 (NIV)

48 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.”

Luke 2:48 (NIV)

48 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.”

left6350Luke 2:49-50 (NIV) 49 “Why were you searching for me?” he asked. “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?” 50 But they did not understand what he was saying to them.Luke 2:49-50 (NIV) 49 “Why were you searching for me?” he asked. “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?” 50 But they did not understand what he was saying to them.Luke 2:49-50 (NIV) 49 “Why were you searching for me?” he asked. “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?” 50 But they did not understand what he was saying to them.Luke 2:49-50 (NIV) 49 “Why were you searching for me?” he asked. “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?” 50 But they did not understand what he was saying to them.What WAS Jesus saying to them? Mary had said, “Your father (i.e. Joseph) and I have been anxiously searching for you,” but Jesus spoke of my Father’s house. But THIS place didn’t belong to Joseph. This place was the PALACE of the Creator of earth. The claim of this 12-year-old was not to be taken lightly. John MacArthur writes:

Luke 2:49-50 (NIV)

49 “Why were you searching for me?” he asked. “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?” 50 But they did not understand what he was saying to them.

Luke 2:49-50 (NIV)

49 “Why were you searching for me?” he asked. “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?” 50 But they did not understand what he was saying to them.

This statement is the first time in Scripture that any individual claimed God as his personal father. The Jews viewed God as the Father of all in a creative sense, and the Father of Israel in a national sense. But no one had the audacity to claim God as his father in a personal, intimate sense, because of the profound implications of such a claim.

Indeed, it was THIS claim that would lead this 12 year old boy to a Roman cross 20 years later. Luke writes about that too:

left6350Luke 22:70–23:1 (NIV)70 They all asked, “Are you then the Son of God?” He replied, “You say that I am.” 71 Then they said, “Why do we need any more testimony? We have heard it from his own lips.” 1 Then the whole assembly rose and led him off to Pilate.Luke 22:70–23:1 (NIV)70 They all asked, “Are you then the Son of God?” He replied, “You say that I am.” 71 Then they said, “Why do we need any more testimony? We have heard it from his own lips.” 1 Then the whole assembly rose and led him off to Pilate.Luke 22:70–23:1 (NIV)70 They all asked, “Are you then the Son of God?” He replied, “You say that I am.” 71 Then they said, “Why do we need any more testimony? We have heard it from his own lips.” 1 Then the whole assembly rose and led him off to Pilate.Luke 22:70–23:1 (NIV)70 They all asked, “Are you then the Son of God?” He replied, “You say that I am.” 71 Then they said, “Why do we need any more testimony? We have heard it from his own lips.” 1 Then the whole assembly rose and led him off to Pilate.

Luke 22:70–23:1 (NIV)

70 They all asked, “Are you then the Son of God?” He replied, “You say that I am.”

71 Then they said, “Why do we need any more testimony? We have heard it from his own lips.” 1 Then the whole assembly rose and led him off to Pilate.

Luke 22:70–23:1 (NIV)

70 They all asked, “Are you then the Son of God?” He replied, “You say that I am.”

71 Then they said, “Why do we need any more testimony? We have heard it from his own lips.” 1 Then the whole assembly rose and led him off to Pilate.

I wonder if Luke’s pen-pal, Theophilus, was starting to put this puzzle together. I wonder if contemporary readers - like you and me - see the significance of this claim. What is clear at this point of Luke’s story is that Joseph, Mary, and the rest of the crowd did not understand what he was saying to them.

This is a very significant part of the story because it demonstrates that Jesus knew exactly Who He was and why He had come. And here, for the first time, the person reading this Gospel learns that...

BIG TRUTH The greatest goal on earth is to PLEASE the God of heaven.BIG TRUTH The greatest goal on earth is to PLEASE the God of heaven.BIG TRUTH The greatest goal on earth is to PLEASE the God of heaven.BIG TRUTH The greatest goal on earth is to PLEASE the God of heaven.

BIG TRUTH

The greatest goal on earth is to PLEASE the God of heaven.

BIG TRUTH

The greatest goal on earth is to PLEASE the God of heaven.

Jesus was more interested in pleasing His heavenly Father than His earthly parents.

And because Jesus wanted to please His heavenly Father, He was also careful not to break the 5th Commandment to ‘Honor your father & your mother.” (Ex. 20:12)

left6350Luke 2:51a (NIV)51 Then he went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. Luke 2:51a (NIV)51 Then he went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. Luke 2:51a (NIV)51 Then he went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. Luke 2:51a (NIV)51 Then he went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. Jesus came to fulfill the Law, not to break it. The Law was a GOOD thing. And the 12-year-old God-in-skin models what how children should follow the commands of parents. Think about that for a moment. The perfect One was obedient to His imperfect parents. In so doing he was obedient to His heavenly Father and demonstrated that...

Luke 2:51a (NIV)

51 Then he went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them.

Luke 2:51a (NIV)

51 Then he went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them.

BIG TRUTH

The greatest goal on earth is to PLEASE the God of heaven.

BIG TRUTH

The greatest goal on earth is to PLEASE the God of heaven.

Parents & Grandparents, this is something we must teach our children - that in obeying us they are obeying God. And parents...we should never abuse this privilege by telling them to obey God...when we won’t.

Joshua was disobedient to us a couple of days ago. After a spanking we had a talk and it went something like this.

“There are 2 people who you need to apologize to. Who is that?”

“You...and God.”

Then he apologized to me...”Daddy, please forgive me for lying to you.”

I paused and said...”I’ll think about it.” (Of course I said yes.)

Then he got quiet & talked to the Lord.

The next day after fighting with his cousin I asked for his side of the story. His big green eyes opened wide as he said, “Dad, I’m telling the truth this time.” (I hope he will realize that obedience and honesty with me = obedience and honesty to his heavenly Father.) That...

BIG TRUTH

The greatest goal on earth is to PLEASE the God of heaven.

BIG TRUTH

The greatest goal on earth is to PLEASE the God of heaven.

Jesus was obedient to His parents, yet Mary noticed that Jesus was beginning to spread His wings. There was a time coming when Mary would have to view Jesus as more than her son, but her Savior. MacArthur writes: “She would have to exchange her parental authority over Him for His divine authority over her.”

All of this - the deep desire to be in His Father’s house & to challenge others to know His Father...quick obedience to His earthly parents - caused Mary to pause.

left6350Luke 2:51b (NIV)51 ...But his mother treasured all these things in her heart. [just as she had done 12 years earlier after hearing the shepherds who came to see Jesus in the manger.] Luke 2:51b (NIV)51 ...But his mother treasured all these things in her heart. [just as she had done 12 years earlier after hearing the shepherds who came to see Jesus in the manger.] Luke 2:51b (NIV)51 ...But his mother treasured all these things in her heart. [just as she had done 12 years earlier after hearing the shepherds who came to see Jesus in the manger.] Luke 2:51b (NIV)51 ...But his mother treasured all these things in her heart. [just as she had done 12 years earlier after hearing the shepherds who came to see Jesus in the manger.] Jesus would obey His parents because this pleased the Father. But what about the times that Jesus’ own family & disciples would later try to push Him away from the suffering that was to come? In those days Jesus would make a choice, a choice to Displease others in order to Please the Father. It is this that Mary is treasuring in her heart. And at 12 years old Jesus embodied what He now expects of you and me; that our lives would demonstrate...

Luke 2:51b (NIV)

51 ...But his mother treasured all these things in her heart. [just as she had done 12 years earlier after hearing the shepherds who came to see Jesus in the manger.]

Luke 2:51b (NIV)

51 ...But his mother treasured all these things in her heart. [just as she had done 12 years earlier after hearing the shepherds who came to see Jesus in the manger.]

BIG TRUTH

The greatest goal on earth is to PLEASE the God of heaven.

BIG TRUTH

The greatest goal on earth is to PLEASE the God of heaven.

left6350Luke 2:52 (NIV)52 And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.Luke 2:52 (NIV)52 And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.Luke 2:52 (NIV)52 And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.Luke 2:52 (NIV)52 And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.Luke writes something similar about John the Baptist (1:80) and echoes the ancient words about Samuel where it says “And the boy Samuel continued to grow in stature and in favor with the Lord and with people. (1 Samuel 2:26 NIV)

Luke 2:52 (NIV)

52 And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.

Luke 2:52 (NIV)

52 And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.

Jesus grew in wisdom, stature, & favor: That is, Jesus grew intellectually, physically, & relationally. This is all we are told about the life of Jesus until His ministry began at age 30.

This is what we should want for ourselves, our children, our grandchildren, and our ministry to children here at Fellowship. Ultimately, we want to follow the example of our King who came to demonstrate that...

BIG TRUTH

The greatest goal on earth is to PLEASE the God of heaven.

BIG TRUTH

The greatest goal on earth is to PLEASE the God of heaven.

So how can that become my greatest goal? YOUR greatest goal?

Here’s your homework.

KNOW what pleases God. This past week I shared the good news of Jesus with a 43 year old guy with brain cancer. I asked what hope he had upon his death. He responded: “After all, who can really know until the day of my death?” Jesus taught His disciples to teach people that they COULD know. Pleasing God starts with repentance & belief. How do we know this? It’s in the Bible.

Know what pleases God - Begin a daily reading (example). Don’t guess at what God thinks. Tonya & I are using a daily Bible plan to read the Bible in 1 year.

DO what pleases God daily. Live in such a way that causes your heavenly Father to smile!

Obey the authorities in your life, knowing that you are obeying the God who put them in your life.

Love your wife. Respect your husband. Train your children. Honor your parents/grandparents. Treat others with value. Develop disciples. This PLEASES God. And...

BIG TRUTH

The greatest goal on earth is to PLEASE the God of heaven.

BIG TRUTH

The greatest goal on earth is to PLEASE the God of heaven.

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