Jesus as a Young Boy

Luke 2:39-40

Last time we were together in the Book of Luke, we closed out a brief two-part look at what it means to be a devout follower of Christ—seen through the lives of Simeon—a just and devout man who lived in view of the coming Messiah---and Anna—a prophetess, who lived having the right view of God

This week, we take a another step closer to beginning of Jesus’ earthly ministry, where it take Him to His divine purpose, the cross and resurrection.

(READ LUKE 2:39-40)

Of the 4 Gospels, Matthew and Luke are responsible in recording for us the birth and early years of Jesus Christ. Overall, not much is given about Christ’s life. This has often sparked questions and discussions about Jesus and His early life, some fun and some serious

Some of the fun questions:

What was He like?

Was His imagination the same as other kids His age?

Did Jesus have a group of friends he would “hang with” as we say today?

Did He ever hit is hand with a hammer working with Joseph?

What was puberty like for Him?

Some of the more serious questions:

Why did God (appear to) leave so much out regarding Christ’s early life?

Why didn’t Jesus come as Adam did (as a full grown man), why as a child?

What can we possible learn about salvation from the early life of Jesus?

First—we must remember, Scripture sees it’s author as God, what He desires to be recorded for us—is recorded; what’s recorded isn’t lacking and is fully sufficient for us to know Him and be known by Him and fully sufficient for us to know how to live before Him

Second--Everything recorded for us God’s Word has purpose and traces a single red thread from Genesis to Revelation—to the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Therefore, what Matthew and Luke record for us about Christ’ early life, is meant to draw us and keep us on the central focus of Jesus Christ, Who He is, and His divine mission and purpose on the earth.

Matthew’s account (in the 30,000 foot view) teaches us:

(First) The purpose of Christ’s birth, salvation, seen in Gabriel’s message to Joseph (Matthew 1:21)

(Second) Christ’s birth was God’s demonstrative love to dwell among us, seen in Gabriel’s message to Joseph (Matthew 1:23)

(Third) The forshadowing of how salvation would accomplished, seen through the foreshadowing gift of the Wise Magi (Matthew 2:9–11)

(Fourth) The stresses and the movements of Jesus birth to boyhood avoiding murderous decrees and persecution, seen in the verses in Matthew 2:11-23.

Luke’s account, thought it doesn’t repeat these events, gives us a glimpse of the environment Christ grew up in and how He grew up. Luke’s account is more detailed in teaching us about Christ birth and early years—all to draw us to the humanity of Jesus, emphasizing how He came to relate to man (to us), perfectly living in obedience to His Father’s will, securing for us perfect righteousness for us in fulfilling the law flawlessly, and in the most dynamic example of relating to man—taking our sin upon Himself—out of a deep-seated, covenant bearing compassion to see man freed from the wages of sin.

And so, taking what we’ve learned of His birth, over the next two weeks, we’ll learn of Jesus’ early childhood, and apply truths to our own lives, to the end we’ll see more the raw realities of Christ and grow in a “perpetual freshness” in knowledge of Him.

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I. (v.39) Luke teaches us that Jesus came to fulfill the law (complete the law), as He was led by His parents:

Luke 2:39 “So when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own city, Nazareth.”

Christ and the law: There is an oft misplaced or misguided belief related to Christ’s the law. We often displace the N/T from the O/T, as if the New Covenant ushered in by Christ abolishes the importance and need of the law. This is simply not true.

To help us, let’s look at a portion of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount:

Matthew 5:17–18 ““Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled.”

The Law, to the Jews, referred to four different writings

The 10 Commandments

The first five books of the Bible (Pentateuch)

The law and the prophets (all the Scripture of the O/T)

The oral (or Scribal law):

This is the law which comes from Jews disbelieving that God’s law as it was written was sufficient—or enough and resulted in the Scribes and Pharisees reducing the law to thousands and thousands of “rules and regulations”

This is the law condemned by Christ—whenever the “law was condemned,” it ALWAYS referred to this part of the law (the oral or Scribal law).

More, Matthew 5:17-18 teaches us (1) that Christ came to fulfill the law:

That Christ came to fulfill the law means He came to

Satisfy the demands of the law

Execute and obey the law perfectly

Finish

Verify the law

Complete the law

Further, Christ came to confirm God’s law

All the Scripture of the Old Testament

He was not destroying the law of the prophets. Why? Because the law of the prophets were a reference to the whole of the Old Testament.

His teaching confirmed the law God established through the prophets of the O/T

Further, Christ’s teaching never contradicted or replaced God’s law—He was not standing against them

Christ illustrated God’s laws, explaining them in broad principles which were and are still to be applied in everday life

Christ took a few practical laws and showed how a person was to take the broad principle and apply it to his own daily behavior

Christ brought out what was implied—showing what the real meaning of O/T Scripture is; all that God intended to say in Scripture

Further, Matthew 5:17-18 teaches us how Christ fulfilled the law: (note several ways)

Before Christ—the law described how God wanted man to live

In Christ fulfilling the law—God gave man more than just mere words to describe how He wanted man to live, He gave man the Life/the Person who perfectly pictures and demonstrates the law—in other words, Christ the Pattern for all men

Before Christ—the law was only words and rules, it could only “inject” the idea of behavior into the mind of a person; there was no life or power in the law, no abilityenable a person “to do the law,”

In Christ fulfilling the law—b/c He is Spirit and Life. He was able to the put spirit and life into the words and rules of the lawin other words Christ injected both the idea and the power to behave into a person’s mind and life..meaning Christ’s life and spirit gives believers power to obey the law

Before Christ—the law stated only the rule and the principle of behavior; the law did not explain the rule of spirit behind the rule; neither did the law give the full meaning of the rule (the law always had to have an interpreter)

In Christ fulfilling the law—He explained the rule and the spirit behind it—He interpreted the law, giving the law it’s full and real meaning

Ex: Matthew 5:21-26 (Murder begins in the heart)

Ex: Matthew 5:27-30 (Adultery begins in the heart)

Before Christ—the law demanded perfect righteousness/the perfect life, a demand man had and has failed at cerain point; we simply cannot obey the law perfectly; we fall short in perfect righteousness

In Christ in fulfilling the law—keeping the law in EVERY DETAIL--He fulfilled all the requirements, the types, and the ceremonies—perfectly, thus He secured the “perfect righteousness” demanded by the law; becoming the Perfect Man & Ideal Man; the Representative Man for all men

Before Christ—the law demaned punishment for disobedience; if man broke the law, he was to be punished

In Christ fulfilling the law, He went to the farthest point of fulfilling the law

He paid the ulitmate price,

He showed the ultimate love.

He bore the punishment of the law every man’s disobedience

In Christ fulfilling the law, He not only embodies the righteousness which must cover man, He also freed man from the penalty of the law

Leviticus 17:11 “For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you upon the altar to make atonement for your souls; for it is the blood that makes atonement for the soul.’”

Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

In Christ fulfilling the law, He makes us into sons of God

Romans 8:15–17 “For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.”

Galatians 3:13–14 “Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”), that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.”

Lastly, in Christ fulfilling the law—to the fullest extent, we can now live with this assurance from Paul:

Romans 8:1 “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.”

II (v.39) Luke teaches us that Jesus was raised in Nazareth

Luke 2:39 “So when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own city, Nazareth.”

(CONTEXT) Joseph and Mary, after engaging Simeon & Anna, returned with Jesus to Nazareth—where He would be raised

Nazareth was the hometown of Joseph, Mary, and Jesus Himself during His childhool and early manhood and see two advantages being reared good

It was a quiet town—small and infamous—a ready-made for a close-community and for neighborliness/quiet contemplation

It was a town in touch with modern and world events as two major roads in the ancient world passed within eyesight of the hills of Nazareth (North and South stretching roads connected Rome to Africa and East and West stretching roads connected those great cities)

It would have been common for Jesus to have observed—even to have met—some of those traveling along these routes, crisscrossing the known world

It would have been an opportunity to observe, study, and learn of the nature and dealings of man—their nationalities, cultures, etc.

It would have also given Him a glimpse of the brokenness which existed in the world and caused an ache within His heart over a world lost and in need of being found

The divine nature and characteristics we know of Christ as an adult, were present with Him as a child—

His compassion and empathy for the lost were more than likely drawn from His experiences living in Nazarethand

Though He grew as a child grew (though perfectly), we will see next week (41-52) He was aware—at an early age—that He was to be about His Father’s business

Nazareth was both an ideal place an obscure place

Ideal for the reasons mentioned above,

Obscure in that the town was

Despised and reproached by others (John 1:46)

A humiliating place to be reared—as with Jesus’ birth in a stable (lowest of places), He was able to identify the brokenhearted, impoverished, and needy people experiencing the harshest of circumstance

Jesus grew up knowing what it was to be born and brought up in a despicable place…reminding us of the words of Paul in Philippians 2:7 “but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men.”

An interesting comparison exists b/t Matthew’s account and Luke’s account, leading up to our next verse

Matthew focuses heavily on the early rejection of Christ, as a child—while

Luke focuses on the humanity and relatability, Christ would have with man, from His time in Nazareth

We must look at these “differences” if you will, not as errors of Scripture, but as means to get a full picture of just who Jesus Christ was and is

III (v.40) Luke teaches us that Jesus grew as a child grew—physically, spiritually, and mentally

Luke 2:40 “And the Child grew and became strong in spirit, filled with wisdom; and the grace of God was upon Him.”

(CONTEXT)

The idea here is Jesus grew up as normal child; yet we must note the words, “strong in spirit” (NKJV)—the CSB says, “became strong,” and the KJV says, “waxed strong”

Jesus did not just grown in wisdom, He was “filled with wisdom,” He grew perfectly as EVERY stage of life

He grew physically as well as the human body could grow (healthy and well)

He was strong in spirit (waxed, becoming strong), as strong as a child could grow

He was “filled with wisdom,” as much as a child could be filled

Jesus grew as no other child had or ever will—perfect in growth at the various stages of life

Note the stages Luke writes about Him

The Babe (Luke 2:16)

The Child (Luke 2:27)

The Boy (Luke 2:43)

The Son (Luke 2:48)

Adam, who stood at the head of the human race as man’s natural representative, was created as a full-grown man. Christ, who stands at the head of the human race as man’s spiritual representative came as a baby. Why?

Christ needed to set a striking example for every person—no matter their age—even a child.

Remember: Christ came in the lowliness of mind—in full humility.

Philippians 2:3–8“Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.”

The experiences of being a helpless Babe, a dependent Child, and then an independent and responsible man, is a humbling experience.

Think about the different stages of life people were in when they encountered Jesus in the gospels. Each of them He could perfectly relate to and minister to, b/c He had experienced the very same (and more—which we will see in a moment)

Think about the various stages of your life:

As a child—Jesus can relate to you and the experiences you go through

Learning what it meant to honor your father and mother

Learning basic responsibilities

Learning how to be a good friend and make friends

Experiencing hardships, heartache, and disappointments

As a teenager—Jesus can relate to you

Learning what it meant to be independent while stll dependent (honoring your father and mother in the process)

Learning what it meant to deal with the changes teenagers endure

Exampling where and Who one’s worth, value, and identity rest is

As a young adult—Jesus can relate to you

Learning what it meant to be independent and self-sufficient

Learning what it meant to continue to honor your father and mother as a young adult

Learning what choices to make when confronted with a lost/evil/deceitful world

As a grown adult—Jesus can relate to you

Learning what it means to be a leader

Learning what it means to be spiritually mature

Learning what it means to be a God-centered man/woman of this world, preparing or currently raising children of your own

In EVERY stage life, Jesus has set the example of how to live with a right view of God

Christ needed to demonstrate a striking truth to ALL people: NO person can enter heaven unless they first become like a little child

Since the fall in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3), a chasm of our creating has formed b/t God and man. The reality and truth of “heaven” was lost to man. Why? Because where God lives sin cannot exist. Sin’s curse upon man, is that in man’s rebellion and rejection of God, a person stands separated, from God and His presence. This is the wage of our sin, what Paul refers to as “death” in Rom 6:23.

Since the fall in the Garden of Eden, it has been written on man’s heart that a void and chasm exists b/t God and man and since that time, man has been trying to find his way back

Adam and Eve had to be “driven out,” by God, Who also placed Cheribum and a flaming sword to prevent them and others from returning the Garden of Eden.

Genesis 3:23–24 “therefore the Lord God sent him out of the garden of Eden to till the ground from which he was taken. So He drove out the man; and He placed cherubim at the east of the garden of Eden, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to guard the way to the tree of life.”

I believe Adam and Eve knew what they had lost—and lest they be tempted to stay in the Garden or find another way into the Garden, God banished them, driving them out and preventing them back in—there was now, no way they themselves could return to paradise

Nimrod and those in Shinar desired to build a tower, so to attain the height of greatness as God—yet this too failed, b/c their desire was to make a name for themselves—constructing towers of pride and self-righteousness

Genesis 11: 3-4, “Then they said to one another, “Come, let us make bricks and bake them thoroughly.” They had brick for stone, and they had asphalt for mortar. And they said, “Come, let us build ourselves a city, and a tower whose top is in the heavens; let us make a name for ourselves, lest we be scattered abroad over the face of the whole earth.””

I believe this speaks to so many people today, who try and make a name for themselves, pridefully and self-righteously building their own kingdoms, in hopes it would bring God’s acceptance

The rich young ruler counted his religious activity and strict adherence to the law as qualification of acceptance into heaven—yet he lacked the heart that Christ sought after, a heart of selflessness, humility, and surrender

Luke 18:21–23 “And he said, “All these things I have kept from my youth.” So when Jesus heard these things, He said to him, “You still lack one thing. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.” But when he heard this, he became very sorrowful, for he was very rich.”

I believe this speaks to so many people today, who hold onto to religious works and rules all the while refusing to surrender their kingdoms of self—the lord of self (if you will). These people—through fear or comfort of sin, or flat out rejection—refuse to count the cost of following Jesus

In these Biblical examples (and there are others), man fail to understand the faith needed for conversion and acceptance in the Kingdom of Heaven…faith of a child. (PLEASE TURN BACK OVER TO MATTHEW 18:2-4

Matthew 18:2–4 “Then Jesus called a little child to Him, set him in the midst of them, and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.”

Faith of a child is what is required for conversion.

Convert (GRK— “straphete”) means to turn, to turn around, to be converted, to turn from one thing to something else

Followers of Christ must turn completely around. Note the words of Christ, “Unless you are converted (unless you turn completely around). And, we must turn “from something,” and turn towards Someone

What do we turn from? Our many & many sins--sins which are common to all who walk in their flesh (sin-nature), self-righteousness and selfishness;

Sins that are the results of

Pride & covetousness

Ambition & jealousy

Worldliness & envy

Rivalry

Sins such as

Addictions & strongholds

Greed and materialism

Lying and deceitfulness

Immoral talk and behavior

and more....

From what (cont’): prior to conversion, a person lives bound to a different spirit—bound to a different and debilitating spirit, a spirit which will see a person eternally separated from God

Ephesians 2:1–3 “And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others.”

Why must there be conversion,

Why can’t I just be good enough?

Whhy can’t I just believer what I want to believe about God?

What can’t I just “do” things my way to get to heaven,” or

What can’t I just “find an alternate parth?”

Listen to what Jesus says in John 3:3 “Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.””

The“alternate paths,” a person chooses, do not include repentance—b/c true repentance recongnizes the need to be born again and being born again has nothing to do with the “alternate paths a person chooses.”

A person can “do” all they want, practice rules/religion all they want....but if there is no repentance from their sins, their faith is null & void.

True believers are those who turn saying, “I am tired of living in and FOR me sin and I desire to turn and live IN and FOR Christ”…this is the heart needed for a person to be born again

Paul lays it out very simply in Romans 10:9–10

“that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.”

Belief is trusting— “I am trusting in the finished and atoning work of Christ and Him crucified—the He paid for my sins and has forgiven me

Confession is the demonstrative response from our belief, where we confess to God this belief

It doesn’t have to be not fancy—sometimes it’s snotty

It doesn’t have to be elegant—sometimes are hearts are just groaning

You don’t have to have it all together first—b/c you’ll never have it all together first

You don’t have to pay a fine, play into church tradition, or “repeat after me,”

Confession is your heart’s response to your belief & trust in what Christ accomplished for you

(LASTLY HERE)—Confession and repentance must come together—YOU CANNOT HAVE ONE WITHOUT THE OTHER)

What kind of faith is required for conversion—faith like a child.

What is meant by this? John MacArthur says this related to this verse: “…it pictures faith as the simple, helpless, and trusting dependence of those who have no resources of their own. Like children, they (those that bear this kind of faith) bear no achievements and no accomplishments to offer or comman themselves with.”

To become a little child..to possess child-like faith is to demonstrate what the faith of this child:

The child trusted Christ (note v.2 “Then Jesus called a little child to Him, set him in the midst of them,”)

The child responded b/c he sensed the openness, warmth, tenderness, care, and love of Christ

The child felt so free to respond and trust Christ’s call

The child surrendered to Christ

The child was willing to give up what he was doing and go to Christ; willing to surrender whatever it was that was occupying his thoughts and behavior

The child was obedient to Christ

The child obeyed and did exactly what Christ requested—and it was probably difficult to do. Why?

Jesus called the child when at least 13 men were standing around—and the child was being asked to walk in the midst of them…surely this would have been difficult for him…it would have been easier for him to say no and continue what he was doing.

The child was humble before Christ; (NOTE TWO THINGS)

(FIRST) While each of the above traits display a humility, something is often overlooked/abused by the adult world

Little children do not push themselves forwards

Little children are not interested in prominence, fame, power, wealth, or position

Little children do not want to be placed in the midst of adults—they prefer the background, away from starying and curious eyes

Little children, are by nature, humble—they prefer to be left in their obscure world where they simply trust in the care and love of their parents

(SECOND) Biblical humility produces what the Bible teaches is godly sorrow

2 Corinthians 7:10 “For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death.”

Note what Godly sorrow realizes: (Psalm 51:3–4 “For I acknowledge my transgressions, And my sin is always before me. Against You, You only, have I sinned, And done this evil in Your sight— That You may be found just when You speak, And blameless when You judge.”)

Note what Godly sorrow produces: repentance—or—conversion

Note the by-product Godly sorrow—you won’t regret it

Worldly sorrow: produces a life full of regret—and leads to death (seperation)

Paul—in all his sins he committed, all the wrong he had done, all the pious, self-seeking and self-centered living, came to realize who he had actually offended—which led to the reality of his repentance

Conversion—turning away from our sins and turning towards Christ in the faith of a child, in the simple trust, surrender, and obedience to Christ, is the faith that opens the doors to heaven and allows a person to be born again.

Christ (in getting back to our study in Luke) needed to experience every situation/condition, and trial of man. Christ stepped out of the glory of heavena and stooped to the lower point of human experience in order to be you Savior and be our Perfect Sympathizer and Advocate

being born to an unwed mother (Mt. 1:18–19).

being born in a stable, the worst of conditions (Lu. 2:7).

being born to poor parents (Lu. 2:24).

having his life threatened as a baby (Mt. 2:13f).

being the cause of unimaginable sorrow (Mt. 2:16f).

having to be moved and shifted as a baby (Mt. 2:13f).

being reared in a despicable place, Nazareth (Lu. 2:39).

having His father die during His youth (see note, pt. 3—Mt. 13:53–58). •

having to support His mother and brothers and sisters (see note, pt. 3—Mt. 13:53–58).

having no home, not even a place to lay His head (Mt. 8:20; Lu. 9:58).

being hated and opposed by religionists (Mk. 14:1–2).

being charged with insanity (Mk. 3:21).

being charged with demon possession (Mk. 3:22).

being opposed by His own family (Mk. 3:31–32).

being rejected, hated, and opposed by listeners (Mt. 13:53–58; Lu. 4:28–29).

being betrayed by a close friend (Mk. 14:10–11, 18).

being left alone, rejected, and forsaken by all of His friends (Mk. 14:50).

being tried before the high court of the land on the charge of treason (Jn. 18:33).

being executed by crucifixion, the worst possible death

IV (v.40) Luke teaches us that Christ---possesed God’s full measure of grace—without lacking or shortcoming whatsoever

CLOSING/WORSHIP:

Every one of us—amid the various “stages” of our lives, in some capacity asks questions like these:

“Who can relate to what I am going through?”

“Who is it that understands the hurt, habits, and hangups, I am being tried with?”

“Who is someone who knows and understands the hurt I am feeling from a broken home, or unrelenting addiction?”

“Who is someone that can show me who I am amidst feeling devauled and unloved.”

“Who can relate to the pain I feel b/c of the loss I have experienced?”

“Where can I find an identity, worth, and a value, b/c I can’t seem to find the right one in this world?”

You may not be specifically asking these questions—however, what you turn to is evidence these questions exist

The answer—the ONLY answer—is Jesus Christ.

Because Jesus Christ perfectly endured, He set the perfect example—more than that, b/c He endured—Christ can perfectly relate and have compassion to our brokenness—He can relate to how hard it is to walk in child-like faith—He can relate to every person—in every stage of life—in every circumstance in life.

Most importantly, Christ came to relate to us—in order that He might save us and sanctify us