“What Can a Boy Tell Me?”

Good Morning. The title of our Message today is, “What Can A Boy Tell Me?” Lessons we can learn from the young boy, Christ Jesus. If you have your Bibles go with me to Luke chapter 2. We will begin today in verse 39. As you are making your way to Luke chapter 2 you may be wondering as many people do what can we learn from those who are younger than us? History had recored the lives of some amazing prodigies who performed some amazing things at a very early age. Early in the 18th century Jean Luis Cardiac, known as the wonder child was said to have recited the alphabet at the age of 3 months. By the age of 4, he could read Latin, Greek and Hebrew, and translated Latin into English and French. Many of us are familiar with the young composer Wolfgang Mozart. This young man was playing the keyboard by ear at the age of 3. By the time he was 6, he had begun composing his own pieces. But the accomplishments of all these young child prodigies are no where close to the 12 year old boy Jesus. The child who was God incarnate had many things to teach his parents and those whom he came in contact with. Luke reveals to us from his own words that this child was God and the most important thing that we can learn as believers is the very words of God.

Isaiah 40:8 ESV

8 The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever.

Church, we have so much to learn from the early life of Christ. The more that we walk with Christ and follow His Words our convictions and confidence in His Word will grow.

Luke 2:39–52 ESV

39 And when they had performed everything according to the Law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. 40 And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom. And the favor of God was upon him. 41 Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover. 42 And when he was twelve years old, they went up according to custom. 43 And when the feast was ended, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents did not know it, 44 but supposing him to be in the group they went a day’s journey, but then they began to search for him among their relatives and acquaintances, 45 and when they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem, searching for him. 46 After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. 47 And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. 48 And when his parents saw him, they were astonished. And his mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us so? Behold, your father and I have been searching for you in great distress.” 49 And he said to them, “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” 50 And they did not understand the saying that he spoke to them. 51 And he went down with them and came to Nazareth and was submissive to them. And his mother treasured up all these things in her heart. 52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man.

Luke gives us more information about the birth and childhood of Jesus than any other of the Gospels. Jesus was brought to the temple at six weeks old as we have already learned about, but after that there is a gap where we don’t hear about his life. Luke does not mention as Matthew does the flight to Egypt and then after Herod’s death the return back to Nazareth. Luke then picks back up from six weeks old to when the Lord is 12 years of age as we have just seen. Then another gap until He begins His earthly ministry around the age of 30.

What we see here in our opening verses is that Luke stresses the fact that Mary and Joseph lived and acted in such a way that they were obedient to God’s laws. They followed God and lived for Him. There are several things that stand out to us here in verse 40 that we need to mention.

1. Jesus grew physically. As Jesus grew up from a child to a young man, he had a normal childhood.

Hebrews 4:15 ESV

15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.

There are many people who have denied the human nature of Christ and so we know that he was a normal person just like you and I. Jesus had to grow up just like you and I did. He had to learn. He not only grew physically but also mentally.

Jesus continued to grow physically. He grew and became strong. There was a certain amount of physical strength that Jesus needed and to help him become a carpenter and then to carry on his earthly ministry.

2. Jesus grew in spiritual wisdom. Luke tells us that as the child grew and became strong, he was filled with wisdom. This development in wisdom was gradual, a day by day process. What is meant by wisdom here? This would of course include knowledge, but it also implies the ability and desire to use this knowledge to the best advantage.

Job 28:28 ESV

28 And he said to man, ‘Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, and to turn away from evil is understanding.’ ”

The wisdom that comes from above is pure and loving a full of fruit. It was in that wisdom that even Jesus was constantly increasing.

3. Jesus had the favor of God upon him. God the Father guided Jesus step by step and caused him to prosper. The development of Jesus was perfect in every part. In his physical, intellectual, moral and spiritual life. We see that the Father had a limitless love for His son.

1. Christ was part of a devout and godly family.

Luke 2:41 ESV

41 Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover.

Christ was going up with his parents to Jerusalem to attend this special feast. Jewish Adults during this time were supposed to attend the 3 major feast in Jerusalem. What we see here is that this was a constant practice for Mary and Joseph, and this annual trip for the Passover was one of the highlights of the Jewish year. So, the Passover Feast, the Feast of Tabernacles and the Feast of Pentecost were the 3 major celebrations in Israel. Most of the families that lived a far distance from Jerusalem only were able to attend one feast a year. The Passover fell in the Jewish month of Nisan which was typically late March and early April. This feast of Passover celebrated the birth of Israel’s freedom at the Exodus. The men were required to attend this feast, but women were not. What is significant here is that the Lord’s parents were faithful to the law and attended these feasts. The forsook their wordly business and cares and made sure to first and foremost give attention to spiritual concerns. This shows us that they were a devout and godly couple who loved and feared God. The Lesson that we must learn here is the importance of godly parenting.

Proverbs 22:6 ESV

6 Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.

2. Christ grows in His maturity.

Luke 2:42–45 ESV

42 And when he was twelve years old, they went up according to custom. 43 And when the feast was ended, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents did not know it, 44 but supposing him to be in the group they went a day’s journey, but then they began to search for him among their relatives and acquaintances, 45 and when they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem, searching for him.

What we do know about this journey to Jerusalem is that it was a yearly pilgrimage that the parents would take to Jerusalem. And we are told that between the time Jesus was presented at the temple until the time he appeared again at the age of 12 Jesus grew and became strong. He was also filled with wisdom, and the favor of God was upon Him.

At the age of 13, a Jewish young man would become responsible for their own actions; he becomes a (bar mitzvah) or a son of the commandment, and he would undergo a ceremony to mark the occasion. According to this custom, Jews at this time would begin to take their boys several years before they turned 13 to show them the temple and different sites all around the Holy City, so that they could be prepared for the following year’s ceremony. Again this is why Joseph and Mary are bringing him up to Jerusalem while he is still 12 years old. This shows us that Christ was growing in his maturity.

At the end of the Feast, Joseph and Mary join this caravan that headed north back to Nazareth. The custom in the day was to travel by caravan. The caravan or large group of people would include family, aunts, uncles and cousins. This large group could also include neighbors from the village like Nazareth as well as nearby cities like Cana and even Capernaum. Typically, the women and children traveled in front, the men and young men would come on behind. At the age of 12 Jesus would have fit right in the middle. However, he did not even join this caravan as he stayed behind. His parents may have thought that Jesus was with one or the other and so not missing him, they continued on their journey. When evening arrived and they could not find Jesus they realized that they needed to go back to Jerusalem and find him.

The Lesson here is that Christ had a desire to learn and grow. I am so thankful for the young lady that God has placed in my life and the children here at our church. We should be excited to help our children and students grow in their faith and teach them the Word of God so that they can grow up into spiritual mature believers. Parents and grandparents take time to teach your children and grandchildren the word of God.

3. The unique status of Christ. He is a boy among teachers.

Luke 2:46–47 ESV

46 After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. 47 And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers.

Since these were days that followed this feast there would have been many Jewish teachers who would have stayed around and could have been found at the temple. Here then was a wonderful opportunity for Jesus of Nazareth to be part of. It was not unusual for students to ask and answer questions. In fact, this was a favorite teaching method among the Jews. The purpose for this was to not leave questions unanswered and for the students to come to a definite answer.

What was unusual in this case with Christ was the kind of questions this young boy Jesus was asking, and then the kind of answers he gave. Both questions and answers revealed the wise and powerful insight that Jesus gave.Jesus was truly unique and all of those who were listening to Jesus were astonished. The amazement expressed by the Jewish leaders demonstrates to us this unique status of Jesus. All eyes were focused on him, and whenever Jesus spoke there was power. Jesus was a boy in the midst of teachers and yet these very teachers were amazed! Eventually Jesus would be the teacher and there would be many who followed Him. Christ was unique in the fact that he was the Son of God who lived a perfect life without sin, he died on the cross and rose again so that we may have eternal life. No one else church is as faithful and loving and patient as Christ. Will you follow Him today?

4. The Mission of Christ.

Luke 2:48–50 ESV

48 And when his parents saw him, they were astonished. And his mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us so? Behold, your father and I have been searching for you in great distress.” 49 And he said to them, “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” 50 And they did not understand the saying that he spoke to them.

As we come to verse 49 we see the first mentioned words in Scripture of something that Christ said, “why were you looking for me?” We have to back up to see the answer to this question. In verse 48 Mary tells Jesus that her and your father were searching for you and when we come to verse 49 we see the contrast that Jesus must be in “My” Father’s house. The contrast here tells the whole story. It is clear that even at the young age of 12 Jesus was very conscious of this unique relationship between himself and his Father in heaven. Jesus was sent by His Father to obey the Father’s will.

The entire question of where Jesus was is answered in one simple phrase. “Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” Mary and Joseph, didn’t you know that? I had to be, I must be in the Lord’s answer here. The fact is Christ’s entire life was controlled by the divine including His early life, and then as he began his earthly ministry. We see this throughout the Gospel of Luke.

-Jesus must preach. (4:43)

-Jesus must suffer. (9:22)

-Jesus would go on his way. (13:33)

-Jesus would stay at the home of Zacchaeus. (19:5)

-Jesus would be delivered up. (24:7)

-Jesus would be crucified. (24:7)

-And Jesus would rise again. (24:7)

Whatever happens to Jesus is the realization of God’s eternal decree.

Acts 2:23 ESV

23 this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men.

Christ’s mission was to follow and do the will of His father. Are you following the Lord today? Do you have a desire to be obedient to the things God tells you to do in His word or do you disregard those things and live for yourself? My prayer today is that you would come to an understanding of all that God has done for you and trust Him and follow his wonderful word.

5. The Perfect Humanity of Christ.

Luke 2:51–52 ESV

51 And he went down with them and came to Nazareth and was submissive to them. And his mother treasured up all these things in her heart. 52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man.

As we come to this final section beginning in verse 51 Luke assures us of the Lord’s perfect humanity by noting his obedience to his parents. Jesus went down with his parents to Nazareth and was submissive to them. Once more Mary takes all of this in as she treasures these moments up in her heart. Like the young boy Samuel who was growing in the Lord when he responded here am I lord, speak for your servant hears, Jesus too was maturing into a person of whom both God and people approved.

The point here is that Christ’s growth was normal. Luke’s account does not try and portray Jesus as using unusual powers like some of the apocryphal books. Jesus grew in favor with God and men. In other words, he continued to experience the lovingkindness of his Father and also the friendliness of people around him. As Christ grew we see how not only did he submit to his earthly parents, he also fully submitted to his Heavenly Father. Has there come a time in your life where you have submitted your life to Christ? Have you called out to God and asked Him to forgive you of your sin? Have you turned from your sin and fully trusted Christ? If not I urge you do that today.

(Close in Prayer)

(Turn Communion over to Steve)