The Life of Christ (3) - The Childhood of Jesus

Surprisingly, little is known about the details of Jesus’ life on earth. Even His three years of public ministry are covered in only the most general terms in the Gospels. Consider all the events, conversations, and daily routines that could not be recorded because of time and space constraints. Only Matthew and Luke include any information about His early life at all.

Matthew records the Annunciation of Jesus, the visit of the Magi, and the family’s escape to Egypt. Luke provides a different angle, describing events like the annunciation of John the Baptist, the angels’ visit to the shepherds outside Bethlehem, and Jesus’ presentation at the temple when He was eight days old.

After Jesus’ birth and infancy, the biblical narrative skips ahead to the start of His public ministry when He was about thirty years old, documenting just one event that occurred in the intervening years: twelve-year-old Jesus discussing the Law with the teachers at the temple.

READ: Luke 2:41–52

Luke 2:41–52 (LSB) And His parents would go to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover. 42 And when He became twelve years old, they went up there according to the custom of the Feast; 43 and as they were returning, after finishing the days of the Feast, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. But His parents did not know. 44 But supposing Him to be in the caravan, they went a day’s journey, and they began searching for Him among their relatives and acquaintances. 45 When they did not find Him, they returned to Jerusalem searching for Him. 46 And it happened 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 astounded at His understanding and His answers. 48 When they saw Him, they were astonished, and His mother said to Him, “Child, why have You treated us this way? Behold, Your father and I have been anxiously searching for You.” 49 And He said to them, “Why is it that you were searching for Me? Did you not know that I had to be in My Father’s house?” 50 But they did not understand the statement which He had spoken to them. 51 And He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and He continued in subjection to them, and His mother was treasuring all these things in her heart. 52 And Jesus was advancing in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.

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The narrator suggests we cannot understand the call and ministry of Jesus or the gravity of that call and ministry apart from the accounts of His early years. Agree/Disagree? Why?

Apparently the Holy Spirit, speaking through Mark thought we could understand.

John’s gospel definitely feels weighty in the opening verses.

John 1:1–13 (LSB) In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being. 4 In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men. 5 And the Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overtake it. 6 There was a man having been sent from God, whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness, to bear witness about the Light, so that all might believe through him. 8 He was not the Light, but he came to bear witness about the Light. 9 There was the true Light which, coming into the world, enlightens everyone. 10 He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. 11 He came to what was His own, and those who were His own did not receive Him. 12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name, 13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.

John 1:14–18 (LSB) And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth. 15 John bore witness about Him and cried out, saying, “This was He of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me has been ahead of me, for He existed before me.’” 16 For of His fullness we have all received, and grace upon grace. 17 For the Law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 18 No one has seen God at any time; the only begotten God who is in the bosom of the Father, He has explained Him.

But only Matthew and Luke give us ANY glimpse into the early life of Jesus and only Luke tells us anything much past his first few years.

Why did Jesus lead His disciples to observe the feast days at the Temple?

Because he had the example of His childhood reinforcing what His Father wanted Him to do.

Last week I thought about, but did not bring us the nurture vs. nature discussion.

And article by By Saul Mcleod, PhD tells us:

The nature vs. nurture debate in psychology concerns the relative importance of an individual’s innate qualities (nature) versus personal experiences (nurture) in determining or causing individual differences in physical and behavioral traits. While early theories favored one factor over the other, contemporary views recognize a complex interplay between genes and environment in shaping behavior and development.

Key Takeaways

Nature is what we think of as pre-wiring and is influenced by genetic inheritance and other biological factors.

Nurture is generally taken as the influence of external factors after conception, e.g., the product of exposure, life experiences, and learning on an individual.

Behavioral genetics has enabled psychology to quantify the relative contribution of nature and nurture concerning specific psychological traits.

Instead of defending extreme nativist or nurturist views, most psychological researchers are now interested in investigating how nature and nurture interact in a host of qualitatively different ways.

I’m sure Jesus was influenced by His biological parents, but it seems reasonable to believe that His Heavenly Father had greater influence.

John 5:19–20 (LSB) Therefore Jesus answered and was saying to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing from Himself, unless it is something He sees the Father doing; for whatever the Father does, these things the Son also does in the same manner. 20 “For the Father loves the Son, and shows Him all things that He Himself is doing; and the Father will show Him greater works than these, so that you will marvel.

John 5:30 (LSB) “I can do nothing from Myself. As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is righteous, because I do not seek My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me.

John 6:38 (LSB) “For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me.

Did Jesus observe Hanukkah (John 10:22)?

Spirit filled life study Bible 10:22 The Feast of Dedication, known today as Hanukkah, had its origin in the liberation and rededication of the temple under the Maccabeans in 165 B.C., after it had been desecrated by the Seleucid king Antiochus Epiphanes.

Maybe Jesus did, we’re not told for sure, just that Jesus was asked a question on that holiday.

John 10:22–24 (LSB) At that time the Feast of the Dedication took place at Jerusalem; 23 it was winter, and Jesus was walking in the temple in the Portico of Solomon. 24 The Jews then gathered around Him, and were saying to Him, “How long will You keep us in suspense? If You are the Christ, tell us openly.”

What about Jesus’ statement did Joseph and Mary not understand?

Out of place: Have you ever looked at Luke 2:49 from a pre-ministry of Jesus perspective? Does that explain Joseph and Mary’s lack of understanding?

Narrator: Mary and Joseph though Jesus was talking about Joseph’s house.

Maybe the timing DOES explain Joseph and Mary not understanding.

Have we ever thought of the 12 year-old Jesus as a man instead of boy? What difference does that make?

As a man Jesus had more right to self-determination without asking permission from parents.

Did Jesus teach the teachers in the Temple?

Not directly, but probably yes as He responded to their questions.

What was the style of learning that Jesus demonstrated in the Temple? Did that style have any application in His 3 years of public ministry? Is that style relevant today?

Already read: Luke 2:46–47 (LSB) And it happened 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 astounded at His understanding and His answers.

Jesus employed it:

Luke 10:25–26 (LSB) And behold, a scholar of the Law stood up and was putting Him to the test, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” 26 And He said to him, “What is written in the Law? How do you read it?”

The Apostles employed it:

Acts 17:1–5 (LSB) Now when they had traveled through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews. 2 And according to Paul’s custom, he went to them, and for three Sabbaths reasoned with them from the Scriptures, 3 explaining and setting before them that the Christ had to suffer and rise again from the dead, and saying, “This Jesus whom I am proclaiming to you is that Christ.” 4 And some of them were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, along with a great multitude of the God-fearing Greeks and not a few of the leading women. 5 But the Jews, becoming jealous, taking along some wicked men from the marketplace, and forming a mob, set the city in an uproar. And attacking the house of Jason, they were seeking to bring them out to the assembly.

Acts 17:10–13 (LSB) And the brothers immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea, and when they arrived, they went into the synagogue of the Jews. 11 Now these were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so. 12 Therefore many of them believed, along with not a few prominent Greek women and men. 13 But when the Jews of Thessalonica found out that the word of God had been proclaimed by Paul in Berea also, they came there as well, shaking up and disturbing the crowds.

I’m not an public school educator — but it seems like this method is still relevant and in use.

I use it in many situations.

One of the differences between preaching and teaching.

Again, I didn’t choose preaching.

I just do what Paul told Timothy to do:

2 Timothy 4:1–2 (LSB) I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom: 2 preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and teaching.

Mary and Joseph’s reaction to Jesus’ disappearance was not surprising. One generation often cannot comprehend the next generation’s potential when they wholeheartedly follow God’s call. Like Mary and Joseph, we may dedicate our children (whether biological or spiritual) to God’s will and God’s call without fully releasing them to follow Him.

• Who in your sphere of influence may be ready to leave your covering and protection to pursue God’s call?

Your kids, grandkids, students in class you teach?

• What steps can you take to conquer your fear, overcome your worry, or relinquish your control so you can release them to follow where He leads?

Like Child Dedication, give them to God.

Why did God “give” them to you?

They’re NOT ours.

He lends them to us and wants us to be stewards.

Ephesians 6:4 (LSB) Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

Deuteronomy 6:4–9 (LSB) “Hear, O Israel! Yahweh is our God, Yahweh is one! 5 “You shall love Yahweh your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. 6 “These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart. 7 “You shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall speak of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up. 8 “You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as phylacteries between your eyes. 9 “You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.

Like Hannah:

Hannah’s vow: 1 Samuel 1:11 (KJV) And she vowed a vow, and said, O LORD of hosts, if thou wilt indeed look on the affliction of thine handmaid, and remember me, and not forget thine handmaid, but wilt give unto thine handmaid a man child, then I will give him unto the LORD all the days of his life, and there shall no razor come upon his head.

Should parents always vow to give their children to the Lord?

Don’t they belong to Him any way?

After his children died, Job said: Job 1:21 (LSB) And he said, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, And naked I shall return there. Yahweh gave, and Yahweh has taken away. Blessed be the name of Yahweh.”

1 Samuel 1:21–23 (LSB) Then the man Elkanah went up with all his household to offer to Yahweh the yearly sacrifice and pay his vow. 22 But Hannah did not go up, for she said to her husband, “I will not go up until the young boy is weaned; then I will bring him, that he may appear before Yahweh and stay there forever.” 23 And Elkanah her husband said to her, “Do what is good in your eyes. Remain until you have weaned him; only may Yahweh establish His word.” So the woman remained and nursed her son until she weaned him.

1 Samuel 1:27–28 (LSB) “For this young boy I prayed, and Yahweh has given me my petition which I asked of Him. 28 “So I have also dedicated him to Yahweh; as long as he lives, he is dedicated to Yahweh.” So he worshiped Yahweh there.

1 Samuel 1:28 (KJV) Therefore also I have lent him to the LORD; as long as he liveth he shall be lent to the LORD. And he worshipped the LORD there.

Lit lent; Heb sounds like root for Samuel (LSB footnote)

1 Samuel 1:28 (NLT) Now I am giving him to the LORD, and he will belong to the LORD his whole life.” And they worshiped the LORD there.

The Holy Spirit can use any man, woman, or child who will listen and submit to Him. This truth alone defies any perceived limits as to what God can do through His people. Every generation of believers is responsible for empowering and encouraging the next generation to do even greater things for God as they pursue Him.

Gloo contact (from today): Looking for a church with more older people..don't care for kids much

• What specific steps can you take to encourage and empower the next generation to answer the call of God?

Live a positive example.

Get involved in discipling them.

• How will you implement these ideas in the next few days and weeks?

Decide it is important.

Pray, pray, pray.