Jesus: A Time in Fathers House

25 And there are also many other things which Jesus did, which if they were written in detail, I suppose that even the world itself would not contain the books that would be written.

The gospels gives us the things God wants us to know to take us to glory.

The gospels reveal the character, nature, and works of Jesus Christ as a fulfillment of the Old Testament prophesies.

Our passage this morning is the one and only story Luke gives regarding Jesus youth.

It is a long passage I will break it up as the return and the journey (2:39-45); then the search and the discovery (2:46-52)

The return and the journey

Luke 2:39–40 NASB95

39 When they had performed everything according to the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own city of Nazareth. 40 The Child continued to grow and become strong, increasing in wisdom; and the grace of God was upon Him.

Luke 2:41–42 NASB95

41 Now His parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover. 42 And when He became twelve, they went up there according to the custom of the Feast;

Luke 2:43–44 NASB95

43 and as they were returning, after spending the full number of days, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. But His parents were unaware of it, 44 but supposed Him to be in the caravan, and went a day’s journey; and they began looking for Him among their relatives and acquaintances.

Luke 2:45 NASB95

45 When they did not find Him, they returned to Jerusalem looking for Him.

What general observation do you make of this passage?

What can you know about “they” and about the child in (vv.39-40)?

The “they” are Joseph and Mary (see v.41 to confirm)

They believed and kept the law of the Lord

The child continued to grow physically (strong) and emotionally (wisdom) and spiritually (grace of God was upon Him)

When did His parents go to Jerusalem as was their custom (vv.41-42)?

Annually, but this one in the story is at age 12, and it is the Feast of the Passover

When did the parents start to look for the boy Jesus (vv.43-44)?

After about a day’s journey, supposing he was with their relatives and acquaintances

Simple one, they don’t find him, what do they do (v.45)?

They returned to Jerusalem looking for Him.

Our next section:

Luke 2:46–47 NASB95

46 Then, after three days they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both listening to them and asking them questions. 47 And all who heard Him were amazed at His understanding and His answers.

Luke 2:48–49 NASB95

48 When they saw Him, they were astonished; and His mother said to Him, “Son, why have You treated us this way? Behold, Your father and I have been anxiously looking for You.” 49 And He said to them, “Why is it that you were looking for Me? Did you not know that I had to be in My Father’s house?”

Luke 2:50–51 NASB95

50 But they did not understand the statement which He had made to them. 51 And He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and He continued in subjection to them; and His mother treasured all these things in her heart.

Luke 2:52 NASB95

52 And Jesus kept increasing in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.

Again, any general observations?

How long did it take to find Jesus (v.46)? and Where did they find Him?

After three days, in the temple

What was Jesus doing? What was the reaction to the people who heard Him (vv.46-47)?

Listening and asking questions

All were amazed at His understanding and His answers

Who are the cast of characters (vv.48-49)?

They (Mother/Father); us (Mother/Father)

Him (Jesus); You (Jesus)

As a youth what do you learn about Jesus (v.51)?

He went back to Nazareth with them. He was in subjection to them.

Whom did Jesus have favor with (v.52)?

God and Men

Does it make you wonder why when it comes to God?

Return home- Nazareth (Lk2:39-40)

Knowing the Law and doing according to the Law they return home (Nazareth)

As you may know, this is Jesus hometown (2:39-4:29)

He was driven out of Galilee at that time.

There was a two year stint in Egypt, Luke does not even mention this period (ref: Mt2:13- another angelic encounter)

The family returns again to Nazareth and that would be His home. He was driven out of Nazareth because of His teaching, proclamations.

Jesus developed like other children, grew, increased in wisdom

Some versions say He crew strong in the spirit- so there is hope for parents today that they too can raise children to be strong in the spirit from young age.

The grace of God was upon Him. - it was apparent even at a young age of God’s hand upon Him. There are some claims of the child doing miracles, but there is no proof, especially no biblical proof.

Trapp says: “To satisfy this curiosity, men wrote their own so-called ‘Infancy Gospels.’ They contain spectacular and silly miracles like Jesus talking from the manger; healing a man made into a mule by a spell; bringing clay birds to life with a clap of His hands; healing people with a sprinkling with his old bath water, and so forth. Yet, ‘Where the scripture hath no tongue, we must have no ears.’”

Jesus separated (Lk2:41-45)

(Look at the time, if have time, read the passage again, if not just move to below that)

Luke 2:41–45 NKJV

41 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 according to the custom of the feast. 43 When they had finished the days, as they returned, the Boy Jesus lingered behind in Jerusalem. And Joseph and His mother did not know it; 44 but supposing Him to have been in the company, they went a day’s journey, and sought Him among their relatives and acquaintances. 45 So when they did not find Him, they returned to Jerusalem, seeking Him.

Feast of the Passover is one of the three feasts required in (Exo23:17 / Deu16:16) for men to attend.

Deuteronomy 16:16 NASB95

16 “Three times in a year all your males shall appear before the Lord your God in the place which He chooses, at the Feast of Unleavened Bread and at the Feast of Weeks and at the Feast of Booths, and they shall not appear before the Lord empty-handed.

Journey from Galilee to Jerusalem about 90-miles, normally everyone went in a caravan together from the area.

After a day journey they realize Jesus is not with them (in the caravan)

Do not hold it against Joseph and Mary in getting separated from Jesus, they were all traveling together.

The after looking in the caravan and not finding him returned to Jerusalem.

Like any good godly parent they went looking and looking at the next logical place, Jerusalem, where they were.

Reunited (Lk2:46-50)

(Again, look at time before reading the scripture again)

Luke 2:46–50 NKJV

46 Now so it was that after three days they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both listening to them and asking them questions. 47 And all who heard Him were astonished at His understanding and answers. 48 So when they saw Him, they were amazed; and His mother said to Him, “Son, why have You done this to us? Look, Your father and I have sought You anxiously.” 49 And He said to them, “Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business?” 50 But they did not understand the statement which He spoke to them.

After the diligent search they find Him in the temple, listening and questioning, and amazing others who are listening to Him.

Think about a 12-year old who has good scripture knowledge. Where did He get it? (expand)

Barclay says: “When we realize the impressive intellectual insight of Jewish Rabbis, this is impressive. This is something like a middle-school child discussing physics with a rocket scientist. Jesus did have a unique advantage, having a special relationship with the writer of God’s word.”

Simple statement, profound truth “about My Fathers business.”

A profound truth in the aspect that Mary and Joseph knew of the connection, relationship with the Father.

A profound statement in fact that He states “did you not know” meaning they must have discussed this previously, so this should be no surprise to them at all.

Look at the verse again, notice the phraseology (2:49) “must, “had, “should,” depending on version. (ref: Lk4:43, 8:22; Jn3:14)

Luke 2:49 NKJV

49 And He said to them, “Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business?”

This is emphatic use of the word as it is a necessity or a surety of happening. Jesus had several uses of this word in Scripture.

I must preach the gospel (Lk4:43)

. . . must suffer (Lk8:22)

Must be lifted up (Jn3:14)

Love what Courson says on the “musts.”

“But for Jesus, there were only three musts: His Father’s business, preaching the Good News, and offering Himself on the cross.”

So, a simple profound truth, a profound truth, a truth they did not understand and He does not explain at this time. Yet, look at the next verse (2:51)

Luke 2:51 NKJV

51 Then He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was subject to them, but His mother kept all these things in her heart.

Knew but did not understand, His mother kept these things, in some versions it says “treasured” these things in her heart.

Jesus went down, so continued in submission to Mary and Joseph, a He continued to grow in wisdom and stature

Geldenhuys in his commentary says: “Jesus was not born a superman. He developed as He grew. ‘He passed through a natural but perfect spiritual and physical development. At every stage He was perfect for that state.”

No record of Christ doing anything extraordinary while a child, a youth, but did, grew in ordinary things in extraordinary way “perfect submission.”

One more quote tonight

Courson: “The more mature and secure a person is, the easier submission is for him. Therefore, because Jesus knew what He was about, because He was secure in who He was. . . He was able to submit to them. The underlying principle of submission is not how much one knows, but who one is becoming.”

(Summary statement)

(prayer) (Exit)

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