Jesus In The Temple (Part II)

Luke 2:40-52

Opening:

Jesus a Young Man in The Temple (v.40-52)

a. Once again we see the obedience of Jesus and his family. (v.41)

b. Jesus was left, it was not known where he was (v.44) What child chooses to dwell in the temple? (v.46)

c. He was gifted beyond any other child, he was about his fathers business. (v.46-49)

Main Thoughts:

I. Jesus, In The Right Place at An Amazing Time (v.48-49)

a. Jesus was twelve, he was almost to the age where he was responsible for his religious relationship.

b. Mary and Joseph had made the mistake of supposing that Jesus was with them.

c. Finding Jesus is a humbling experience.

Notes:

John Blanchard comments: ‘A Christian can make the same kind of careless mistake with regard to his spiritual condition.’ He goes on to say, ‘Never be satisfied with “supposing” that the Lord is with you in life’s decisions and directions.’

II. Jesus, A Life of “Must” (v.49-50)

a. Jesus points out that his work in the temple was for his Father.

b. Jesus told his mother that he “must” be about his Father’s business, he lived a life compelled by a greater calling.

c. A life of “must” is a life that is misunderstood. (v.50)

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Notes:

III. Jesus Parents Trusted God & Lessons from the Text (v.51)

a. Jesus honored Mary and Joseph, but they also realized that he held a higher purpose than others.

b. Look for Jesus at all times, trust that where he is, there is the greatest protection and reward.

c. Take account at all times of where he is, don’t linger a day away from him only to realize you have left him.

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Notes:

Additional Scripture Refrences

Additional scripture reference italicized and highlighted for easy access. Matt x:xx KJV

Quotes

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Notes By Verse Here

Additional Notes

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I. First Point

I.a-

This celebration of being 13 that we have heard called a bar-mitzvah is a time where a young boy becomes accountable to the law and God, he was spending time in the temple working for his father above. He was not yet fully accountable under the law, yet he was already interested in the law. This amazing truth points us to the supernatural interests of our Savior.

I.b-

Oftentimes we assume that Jesus is with us, that we are blessed with his presence. That he condones our decisions, actions, and desires. But often times we leave Jesus behind, not that we intend to but because we do not search for his desires and purposes concerning our journeys.

Mary and Joseph were ready to return home, but Jesus desired to be in the temple, sometimes our religious desires fade where our commitments end. Mary and Joseph were stewards of the Son of God, had they took the time to seek his guidance they may have known that he was busy with the business of his Heavenly Father.

Now this did not make Mary and Joseph wrong, but they did leave the Son of God behind by himself for three days. Learn to look for Jesus, he is our meek and lowly Savior, he is easily lost and painstakingly found.

John Blanchard comments: ‘A Christian can make the same kind of careless mistake with regard to his spiritual condition.’ He goes on to say, ‘Never be satisfied with “supposing” that the Lord is with you in life’s decisions and directions.’

Michael Bentley, Saving a Fallen World: Luke Simply Explained, Welwyn Commentary Series (Darlington, England: Evangelical Press, 1992), 39.

I.c-

As any mother would be relieved in finding a lost child, Mary and Joseph were relieved to find Jesus. He says to Mary, “why were you seeking me?” in other words, you should’ve known where I would be, he was in the right place at an amazing time.

The timing of his work in the Temple was amazing yet again because he was a young man, under the age of accountability to the law, what child hangs out in the Temple? In this day it would be assumed that the Temple would be a safe place for any Jew to find refuge especially if they were wandering Jerusalem without their parents, but as children are, they are mischievous. As a young man my parents and grandparents would have to pull us out of arcades, off playgrounds, and out of creeks and streams. If I went missing as a young man you can count of me being in one of those places. Jesus was not just any other twelve year old, he was in the Temple not just for refuge, but with purpose.

II.a-

Jesus here means no disrespect to his earthly father, Joseph is a man to be most admired. While we do not hear from him in the sense of words, we hear from his actions which correlate to a life obedient to God. However great an earthly father Joseph may have been, Jesus was in the service of God his true Father.

II.b-

Jesus lived a life of I “must” he was well acquainted of the life he had been called to by his Father, he knew he “must” work among the religious of his day, call on disciples to serve him on this earth, and finally die on a sinners cross for the redemption of the world. Jesus lived a life of must, how often do we live with this calling so deeply ingrained into us?

II.c-

One of the hardest burdens of Christian ministry is the burden that some do not understand why one “must” do something. Jesus’ parents did not understand his burden, sometimes a friend at school doesn't understand why a child desires to go to church, co-workers often do not understand why Christians wont go out to drink and party with them, families do not understand why you make decisions that you know to be obedient to God. While Mary and Joseph didn't understand Jesus’ decisions, he was still obedient to them and returned to Nazareth.

III.a-

I can almost imagine Mary praying, “Lord, I am trusting you, you’ve been so faithful, you’ve been so true, you’ve never failed me like I've failed you, i’m trusting you Lord”

11/30/2024 @ Mountain View Baptist Church