In My Father's House

Luke 2:41-52

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Luke 2:41–52 LEB

And his parents went every year to Jerusalem for the feast of the Passover. And when he was twelve years old, they went up according to the custom of the feast. And after the days were completed, while they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. And his parents did not know it, but believing him to be in the group of travelers, they went a day’s journey. And they began searching for him among their relatives and their acquaintances, and when they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem to search for him. And it happened that after three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting in the midst of the teachers and listening to them and asking them questions. And all who heard him were amazed at his insight and his answers. And when they saw him, they were astounded and his mother said to him, “Child, why have you done this to us? Look, your father and I have been searching for you anxiously!” And he said to them, “Why were you searching for me? Did you not know that it was necessary for me to be in the house of my Father?” And they did not understand the statement that he spoke to them. And he went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was submitting to them. And his mother treasured all these things in her heart. And Jesus was advancing in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and with people.

Here we see that Luke is establishing that Jesus was a true Israelite. From his birth, he was brought up in the moral and ritual life of Judaism. Every significant moment in the childhood of a young Jewish man is mentioned in this book. It is a history written to a man named Theophilus or a group named Theophilus. The name means “friend of God” Group of Believers or a Roman official. But either way, they do not need to know about his first steps or his first words or about how he acted at age 9. All things that would be kind of fun to know. They/ He needs to know about the significant Jewish event.

Establishing Jesus as a Jew and a perfect Jew. And one of those major events is found in found in Luke 2:41-52.

Now we see Jesus first Passover

According to the Law of Moses pilgrimages for Passover, Pentecost, and Tabernacle (Ex 23:14) should be made but for people at a distance only the Passover is required.

Bar Mitzvah

Jesus is twelve and it is time for Jesus to go through Bar Mitzvah, “son of the Law”. Bar Mitzvah is a ceremony for a Jew who has reached the age of accountability. He is responsible to keep God’s commands. He is Answerable for his own behavior. He is liable for the consequences of that behavior.

Theoretically, he is recognized as a full member of the community. This is a Rite of Passage. Not merely a statement to the Jewish Community, It is a statement to and a statement from the child.

1 Corinthians 13:11 LEB

When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I set aside the things of a child.

Paul wrote “when I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things” 1 Corinthians 13:11

The hope and prayer is that when children reach bar mitzvah age they will be ready to assume this call to greater spiritual maturity.

A Special Bar Mitzvah

Some say that two thousand years ago The bar mitzvah boy would be brought to the Temple courtyard to receive the priests’ and elders blessing

They would read a section from the Torah (first 5 books in our Bible) And then they would be asked questions. It is very likely that Jesus is going through this process when he went down for his first Passover. Many boys may have been many boys going through this process at the same time because it was difficult to make the journey to Jerusalem.

Time would be set when they had to be there anyways for this 7 day Passover celebration

So what very well might have happened is that as Jesus read and answered questions about what he read he impressed several rabbis And they pulled him off to the side into one of the side rooms or side steps or really any of to the side place they began talking to this young man.

When Jesus was found he was among the teachers, listening, asking questions and everyone who heard him was amazed. Amazed by his understanding and his answers to the questions they asked him.

Jesus Parents were understandably upset

They had left Jesus behind

They assumed he was in the caravan with his cousins and other families. People traveled together it was safer that way. But when they learned he didn’t come They had to leave the group. Leave the safety. Travel back and forth without the protection of the group. Momma racked with guilt(he may have been a “Man” but he’ll always be here baby.

They had to search this giant town. No police to go to, No amber alert. And at the same time thinking he isn’t behaving like a person who has been through the “son of the Law”.

And on top off all that, Joseph is shamed because he can’t control his family.

This is serious stuff

But Jesus was in his father’s house

Still dedicated to the Lord

Knowing who his real father was And being about the business he had in his father’s house.

And Jesus will continue to grow in favor and wisdom with God and men

Next Steps

One of the beautiful things about this passage is Jesus shows us something that we need to realize as well

We have another father and we need to act like it. We need to bring glory to our father's name. The name we carry when we call ourselves Christian

We are adopted into the family. I like how Jesus brings Glory to the father here

One: He listens.

Too often we don’t listen. We talk, talk, talk. But we don’t sit back and say God speaks to me as I sit in silence and listen. We try to email or write a letter to God instead of having a conversation

Two: He asks questions.

He learns about the word and about how to apply it to lifeHe takes steps to grow. Do you? Or do you just say I want to grow but then do nothing to take the step? Jesus ask the questions he needed

Three: He amazed with his understanding.

We have the HS in us and if you are open you will be amazed at the understanding that it can provide to you

Four: He grew in favor with God and men.

We should be striving to be the best we can be. Best fathers, mothers, workers, children, we can be. To be the best Child of God we can be. Growing in favor with God and with man. Because when you are righteous, honest, caring, not shying away from those you are called to love you will grow in favor Even if they don’t agree with you and you don’t agree with them

Are you bring Glory and Honor to your Father’s name?

Pray