More Like Jesus (Luke 2, childhood Jesus)

Introduction

Story in the woods at Jacobs

We all have crazy stories of our childhood. Some of our best memories our fro when we are children. Children are innocent and so dependent.

When it comes to Jesus we think we know TONS about His life. We can certainly allude to some things, but in reality, we know about 5 out of 35 years of Jesus life, and thats being Generous. So Jesus walked the earth for approximately 306,600 hours. We have recorded maybe 1,000 hours.

What happened with the other 305,000 hours? Truth is, I dont know, and neither does anyone else. Yes there are apocrypha books that are ridiculous. The gospel of peter and thomas both tell stories of Jesus like he was a comic book character. It doesnt take long to see that these gospels were fradulaent and were trying to take advantage of the unknown years of Jesus.

But Luke gives us insight to 3 days in the life of 12 year old Jesus. It really is a simple story, and it is one that most church goers know very well. Although it is unbelievable how many bad misconceptions have been drawn from this story. Like mary wasnt a virgin, or the ole “age of accountability” argument.

While studying this passage, I saw that there was much more to this passage and there were several lessons for us to learn in our lives and in trying to imitate Jesus. First lets look at this.

Growing like Jesus means you will grow in spiritual maturity.

The New International Version Chapter 2

40 And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was on him.

Lets be real, there are some different levels of maturity in this room, amiright? And thats ok. I know that we all mature at different ages and stages. But let me tell you what isnt ok. You will most likely have a few friends like this, hopefully you are not this friend. You are getting older, paying bills, providing, having responsabilites and so on. Then you look at your friend that has no job, pays no bills, plays video games all day, and cant be counted on for nothing, that person is sad. Dont be that person.

In your Christian walk, we are expected to mature. Jesus did as well.

Jesus did it without a sin nature and certainly had a different experience then you and I. He experienced and heard from God different than you and I, But nonetheless, Jesus matured. He didnt come out of the womb talking and omniscient. He grew into threw God’s grace.

We ought to do the same. You shouldnt be the same person, asking the same questions, doing the same things. paul says it this way.

The New International Version Chapter 13

11 When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. 12 For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

Growing in him is great.

we have growing pains at times and spurts at other times.

It takes nutrition........

The New International Version Chapter 2

41 Every year Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem for the Festival of the Passover. 42 When he was twelve years old, they went up to the festival, according to the custom. 43 After the festival was over, while his parents were returning home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but they were unaware of it. 44 Thinking he was in their company, they traveled on for a day. Then they began looking for him among their relatives and friends. 45 When they did not find him, they went back to Jerusalem to look for him. 46 After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions.

explain how this was possible and what was really happening

To be like Jesus means you have a desire to learn.

The New International Version Chapter 2

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

Interesting study on teacher

philippians explains how jesus was learning

We ought to be seeking and learning from those above us.

To be like Jesus means we will be about our Father’s work.

The New International Version Chapter 2

48 When his parents saw him, they were astonished. His mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you.”

49 “Why were you searching for me?” he asked. “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?” d 50 But they did not understand what he was saying to them.

JAKE FROM STATE FARM

be at church, be doing what God has commanded us to do.

it ought to be clear to the world around us.

be serving

To be like Jesus means we will be humbly obedient

I love this example of Young Jesus

51 Then he went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. But his mother treasured all these things in her heart. 52 And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.

The New International Version (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2011), .