In His Father’s House
Luke • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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Introduction
Introduction
We learned a couple weeks ago that Mary and Joseph were righteous parents.
They were devoted to the Lord
They were obedient in the faith
They obeyed by faith
the law
the naming of Jesus
the presentation and dedication of Jesus
the proper sacrifices
They were righteous parents, devoted to the Lord. And the Lord was pleased with them, and they found favor in the Lord’s sight.
Being righteous parents, they were also RESPONSIBLE parents. They were Responsible in maintaining proper devotion to the Lord and Raising their child according to the Word of God.
The boy grew up and became strong, filled with wisdom, and God’s grace was on him.
This lets us know that these parents that we get to witness their obedience to the Lord, were responsible. It doesn’t happen by accident.
Now listen: because this is very important.
Being Responsible does not mean: Perfect!
Being Responsible does not mean: Perfect!
Every year his parents traveled to Jerusalem for the Passover Festival.
Responsible. Religiously responsible. Jesus grew up in a godly Jewish home. They were God-fearing. “Every year”, this was their regular observance.
Every year it was probably the same: go up, do all the stuff, go home. Big caravan full of family and friends. Took a few days to travel there, a few days to travel home.
And then one day things did not go as planned, or as usual!
When he was twelve years old, they went up according to the custom of the festival. After those days were over, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but his parents did not know it. Assuming he was in the traveling party, they went a day’s journey. Then they began looking for him among their relatives and friends. When they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem to search for him.
Parents, listen: you can be righteous and responsible, and still have situations arise that are out of your control! Everything was going as normal, until it wasn’t! They were doing everything the right way: and still!
See when you are dealing with people, you have your emotions, thoughts, plans, actions, way of doing things, ideas, and ALL THAT; and the people, your child, has all that as well!
IT does not make you a bad parent!
I am sure Mary and Jospeh felt horrible!
They literally lost the SON OF GOD!
But they searched. They panicked. Probably had that roller coaster of emotions!
Panicked - where is he?
Mad - when I find that boy!
Terrified - we lost Jesus!
I can hear Joseph: Mary, he is the Son of GOD. I am sure there are angels watching over him. (all while absolutely terrified)
I am sure most parents can relate! I know plenty of parents who have mistakenly went off and left their child. Picture this: you take separate cars to church, each person thinks the child is with the other: drives away. Panics.
I lose my kids here at church!
Mistakes don’t make us bad parents; they make us human!
Mary and Joseph spend 5 days frantically trying to find Jesus!
They went a days journey thinking he was with the group. Had to go a days journey back, then searched for him in that big city of Jerusalem for 3 days!
Christ-Centered Exposition says this:
You know they were distraught! They were probably quietly blaming each other. Joseph thinks, What kind of mother loses the Son of God? Who does that? If there’s one rule, make sure the Savior is in the caravan!
Mary thinks to herself, Look at him looking at me. I know he blames me. But he is the man. He’s supposed to take care of the family. It’s his son. How could he leave his son in the city? I can’t do everything. I packed up the tent, made breakfast, fixed us some lunch. The least he could have done was keep an eye on the boy.
Thabiti Anyabwile, Exalting Jesus in Luke, Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary (Nashville, TN: Holman Reference, 2018), 55.
Real people. Real place. Real event. Real parents.
When they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem to search for him. After three days, they found him in the temple sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions.
They lost Jesus, but they didn’t stop looking until they found him again! That is responsible parenting!
Sometimes responsibility is better seen in how you respond to your failings than to your successes!
Now look at where they find Jesus: in the temple where his parents always took him! Jesus was doing what was natural for him at that time! It’s the trip to Jerusalem, go to the Temple!
And here He is doing what is astonishing: sitting with the teachers, listening and asking questions. Absorbing, processing, growing, MATURING!
And all those who heard him were astounded at his understanding and his answers.
Jesus is blowing minds at age 12!
Teachers
Bystanders
PARENTS!
When his parents saw him, they were astonished, and his mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you.”
Listen to this question!
WHY HAVE YOU TREATED US LIKE THIS? YOUR FATHER AND I HAVE BEEN SEARCHING FOR YOU!
It’s relief and its scolding, while saying WE LOVE YOU SO MUCH, THANK GOODNESS YOU ARE ALRIGHT!
“Why were you searching for me?” he asked them. “Didn’t you know that it was necessary for me to be in my Father’s house?”
This statement by Jesus is profound. It is teaching.
He questions: why were you searching for me?
You should have known where I would be!
Didn’t you know that it was necessary for me to be in my Father’s house?
Where else would I be mom? My purpose is to grow, to learn, to mature!
He knows His identity! He is the Son of GOD!
And the responsible parenting of Mary and Joseph fostered the environment where Jesus was able to learn, grow, mature, and discover what the Father had planned for Him.
But they did not understand what he said to them.
Newsflash: parents do not always understand their children!
Then he went down with them and came to Nazareth and was obedient to them. His mother kept all these things in her heart. And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and with people.
Jesus was not being rude in his question. Jesus knew His Father’s business was His business. He humble leaves His Father’s house and goes home, in obedience; and is obedient to Mary and Joseph. And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and with people.
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. All things were created through him, and apart from him not one thing was created that has been created.
The creator of the universe humbled Himself to be obedient to His fully human mother and father. Sounds crazy. . .until:
Honor your father and your mother so that you may have a long life in the land that the Lord your God is giving you.
The 5th Commandment!
Youth listen to me a second:
Some of you came to know Jesus early with parent’s that raised you in church. THat is such a blessing.
Some of you came to know Jesus before your parents. You had to learn the faith without them. That is amazing. If your parents do not know Jesus, don’t let that stop you from being about your Father’s business!
Some of you have parents that do not understand you. That’s hard. Jesus’ can relate because His parent’s didn’t really understand Him either. Listen:
Then he went down with them and came to Nazareth and was obedient to them. His mother kept all these things in her heart. And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and with people.
Jesus did not let them not understanding him, keep him from honoring his earthly parents, as well as His heavenly Father.
You do what God says:
Honor your father and your mother so that you may have a long life in the land that the Lord your God is giving you.
By prayer and through faith, honor your mother and father, because God commands it. Submitting to them is an act of obedience to God: it is submitting to God.
When you honor your parents, you honor God. They may not be good parents. They man not even be your biological parents. Maybe it is aunt, uncle, grandparent: they are your guardian and parent: as long as what they are asking you to do is not disobedience to God, you have to obey them.
Always choose God!
Yet to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God,
Imitate Jesus - the power of God AND the wisdom of God!
Conclusion:
Conclusion:
What do our children need?
Righteous parents!
Responsible parents!
Mary kept all these things in her heart. She did not always understand Jesus, but eventually she would.
Parents, we may not always understand our children, but one day we will have a better understanding.
Parent’s regardless of whether they want to admit it or not, the fact is this: you are the most influential person in your child’s life. Your actions will have a direct impact upon your child.
The most important thing we can do: point our children to Jesus. But don’t just spin them, point them, kick them in the butt and say: there He is, start walking!
Walk with them! And be vulnerable!
The one who says he remains in him should walk just as he walked.
and how did Jesus walk?
Your word is a lamp for my feet
and a light on my path.