Jesus - The God-Man Growing Up

Introduction

Our text this morning speaks to what we have been talking about for this Christmas. We are focusing our attention again on Jesus. Today we get to see him after his birth, while still a very young baby. In short. Here we get to see Jesus, the God-Man, not just at His birth, but Jesus the God-Man growing up! We have been talking about high things this past few weeks, how Jesus is both fully divine and fully human and why these 2 natures in Christ are important. First, Jesus’ divinity and how that impacts our salvation. If Jesus were simply a man, He could not have paid for the full penalty for our sins!. No mere mortal can bear the wrath of God on sin upon himself and thus, we are in need of a divine savior. Secondly, Jesus’ human nature is also important for us. Jesus is not only divine, but He also walked in our shoes! He was tempted in every way we were and yet lived without sin! He, as the 2nd Adam, lived as we were supposed to live, in perfect, intimate, communion with God. He fully did this during his 33 years of perfect obedience to the perfect Law of His Father! The Book of Hebrews speaks of Jesus as our High Priest. One that can identify with us, the One who intercedes for us to the Father (Hebrews 4:13-15). Jesus, the God-Man. Our greatest treasure, our greatest gift.

As we turn to our passage, consider this point from Luke’s narrative: Jesus is indeed the Christ, who came to live a perfect life, under the law, for the redemption of both Jews and Gentiles

Luke 2:21-40

Today’s passage is special because it gives us a glimpse on Jesus’ life before he started His ministry. Jesus’ beginnings are nothing but unique. As we are prefaced in the gospel of Luke. The way He was foretold, first by prophecy and then by angelic annunciation. The way He came to this world, with angels praising God in visible form on earth. In the first two chapters of Luke the main focus is on the coming Messiah, everything is pointing to Him.

Summary

Today’s text can be divided in 4 parts. I will structure them for you:

1) Jesus – born under the law (v.21-24)

2) Jesus – God’s Salvation (V.25-35)

3) Jesus – Proclaimed with Thankfulness (36-38)

4) Jesus – growing under the Law (39-40)

1) Jesus - Born Under the Law (v.21-24)

In the first 4 verses of our passage we see a recurring theme, and Luke wants us to understand that Jesus’ life is marked by keeping the law! Even from his early days of being born, his parents are Torah-abiding people, and this is important. Five times Luke tells us that they did something in accordance with God's law (v.22,23,24,25 and even later in v.39!) Let me submit to you that in this first section we can see that:

[Jesus - Born Under the Law (v.21-24)]

a) Jesus was circumcised according to the law (v.21)

b) Jesus was presented according to the law (v.22)

c) Jesus’ family (Mary) is purified according to the Law (v.23-24)

See V.21 with me. We see that Jesus’ parents obeyed Leviticus 12:2 and thus followed the law. Also, we see that Joseph and Mary reaffirmed what the angel said (as Luke says explicitly) by naming their son Jesus. Joseph and Mary were being obedient to not only the Law, but God’s revelation about who this child is. The name "Jesus" means "The Lord Saves".

After he received His name, he also received the sign of the covenant. Circumcision went back to the time of Abraham. It was a sign sealed in blood. This sign affirmed Jesus as being a Jew, a true son of Abraham. He was one with His covenant people.

In verse 22 we see the display of Exodus 13:2 “And Yahweh spoke to Moses saying, “Consecrate to me every firstborn, the first offspring of every womb among the Israelites, among humans, among domestic animals, it belongs to me” (LEB). The presentation included redemption, the payment of a ransom fee. Let me show you this by going back to Exodus 13, now please turn to v.11-14 where it reads: “11 “And when Yahweh brings you to the land of the Canaanite, as he swore to you and to your ancestors, and he gives it to you, 12 you will hand over every first offspring of a womb to Yahweh, and every first offspring dropped by a domestic animal that will belong to you, the males will be for Yahweh. 13 And every first offspring of a donkey you will redeem with small livestock, and if you will not redeem it, then you will break its neck, and every firstborn human among your sons you will redeem. 14 And when your son asks you ⌊in the future⌋, saying, ‘What is this?’ you will say to him, ‘With strength of hand Yahweh brought us out from Egypt, from a house of slaves.”

When Jesus was being presented, He was also being ransomed! In one sense, on this day the Redeemer was himself being redeemed! Jesus had no personal guilt but had, of his own will, taken upon himself the sin of the world!

In verse 23-24 we see that Mary and Joseph perform the purification according to the Law of Moses and offer the sacrifice prescribed in the Law. His parents did everything expected of them in the Word of God.

In summary from this first section we can say that Luke, through inspiration by the Holy Spirit, is telling us that every aspect of the Jewish law, in Jesus’ life, has been kept.

But let’s ask ourselves: Why is this important? Joseph and Mary are doing all things right so far. Good for them, right? But what does this mean to us now? How is it relevant for us that Jesus had everything done in His life the “right way”?

Galatians 4:4-5: But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons

We need a savior who has righteousness to give to us. Jesus not only is righteous by His very nature, but He performed all the righteous works needed for us. And by faith he bestows His merits earned by this perfect life, to us! He, from above, came to us who are under the law, and lived the live that was impossible for us to live. To provide us of a perfect robe, His own well-earned righteous standing as a man! Jesus did this in His humanity! It was a real man performing real acts of righteousness. As we read in Hebrews, He was tempted like us, and yet was without sin. He really endured hunger, body aches, he was tired, even frustrated, angry and sad, all the things you and I experience, and all of this as a real man!

Even in later passages we see that Jesus willingly and knowingly did things that made no sense, from a human perspective, for Him to do. Like when he went to be baptized by John the Baptist. John was shocked, telling Jesus should be baptizing him instead. In Matthew 3:15 we read: But Jesus answered him, “Let it be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he consented." (ESV)

From the very beginning of His life, Jesus fulfilled all righteousness by keeping God's law. Jesus is the God-Man born under the law, and this is important for us, because, as Galatians 4:4-5 puts it, this was done to redeem those who are under the law. So that we might be adopted as sons and thus, redeemed! He provides us with His lived-out righteousness.

In His circumcision, Jesus received the lawful sign of the covenant, identifying himself with his people on earth. At His presentation, Jesus was consecrated to God, as the law required. Then all throughout the rest of His life, He lived in perfect obedience to the will of God. He did this for our salvation! We are saved by Jesus' death, but we are also saved by His life on earth as He fulfilled all the righteousness that we owe to God!

2) Jesus – God’s salvation (v.25-35)

This section, together with our next section introduce 2 different people, Simeon and Anna. They both testify of whom Jesus is.

Before we start looking at their testimonies, let us pause and think about the context on which all these events are occurring. Israel was far from its “glory days”. Conditions were bad, very bad, in Israel at the time of Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem. Think of loss of political independence (under the Romans), cruel King Herod. In terms of the religious leaders: there were legalistic scribes and Pharisees and their many followers, worldly-minded Sadducees, and also the silence of the voice of prophecy, etc. But in the midst of all this darkness, confusion, and despair there were people who were hopefully looking forward to, and earnestly expecting, “the consolation of Israel.” There were such men … and women too! As we see in the cases of both Simeon and Anna.

The receptions of Simeon and Anna are told sequentially, this is important in Luke’s narrative effect. Simeon and Anna represent male and female awaiting redemption in Christ, both show the same messianic hope (vv. 25, 38), and their joint witness is necessary to establish valid testimony in accordance with the Old Testament (Deut 19:15). In some respects, Simeon and Anna understand and receive the good news of the advent of Jesus more laudably than does Mary. Here they both act prophetically, as if we were seeing the last of the Old Testament prophets ushering the times of the Messiah. Simeon and Anna embody true believers, on Israel’s most Holy Place. It wasn’t the religious elite, but the least expected people, who recognized God’s salvation, in the person of Christ.

Now let us focus on our section of this passage. Who was Simeon? Little is known about Simeon, From looking at verses 25-27, he is described as righteous and devout, also he is “waiting for the consolation of Israel and the Holy Spirit was upon Him”.

Simeon is functioning as a kind of a prophet. Even though Luke did not use that word, we see familiar aspects of that in the life of prophets in the Old Testament. The Holy Spirit is mentioned 3 times with respect to Simeon (v.25,26,27), as being on Him, as having revealed to him that he won’t die until he saw the Messiah, and the Holy Spirit led Simeon to meet Jesus at the temple.

So in short, Simeon is righteous and devout, and he is moved by the Holy Spirit. And one who awaits for “the consolation of Israel” (v. 25; so too Isa 40:1 (v.3-4 referred to John the Baptist! in Luke 3:1-6); 52:9; 66:12–13). Contrary to Israel’s traditional expectation, Simeon does not hope for a mighty, political king, but for Simeon, “faith in Christ is the legitimate answer to the legitimate Jewish expectation.”

Simeon believed that God will comfort His people, and that by God’s promise, he will see this consolation with his own very eyes. After the Holy Spirit took Simeon to the Temple to meet Jesus (v.27-28), his heart soared and he uttered a prophetic word, some call it a song (v.29-32):

Luke 2:29-32

29 "Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word;

30 for my eyes have seen your salvation

31 that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,

32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel." (Luke 2:29, ESV)

God had called Simeon to wait and see God’s salvation! Now Simeon has seen the glory, in the little baby in front of him.

On this side of the cross, we know about this salvation that is spoken of. We know that neither Simeon nor anyone else is saved simply by the birth of Jesus. As pastor Jake has told us in the past: “The manger lies in the shadow of the Cross”. Jesus still had to live a perfect life to fully represent us and grace us with His righteous life to our account (and all of this by faith). but He also had to pay the penalty of our sins, Jesus had to die on the cross. There is no salvation without the incarnation, the cross and the empty tomb. This child in his hands was not just a part of salvation, but salvation himself!

Let us reflect on this. Simeon lived at a time of much strife. In a nation that was trying to find redemption from its foes. A nation that had been divided and ruled over for centuries at this point. Far from its great days of King David and King Solomon. A nation with issues of self identity. A nation oppressed. And yet, Simeon looked for a consolation, not like most people around him thought. He looked not to a mighty child in worldly terms. This child was living with a poor, nothing special, family. Yet Simeon was glad to have seen Jesus.

Can we relate to this today? We live in a world that is going through hard times. Struggling with meaning, a world that seeks to live without God. And more so now in times of pandemic, people looking into health policies, looking to governments, looking to doctors and researchers for hope. But we, by the Holy Spirit, have been given a greater revelation of true hope. The consolation not just of Israel, but for the whole world. What do we understand of this consolation at the other side of the cross? It is about redemption. We have been given the greatest gift of all, in Christ.

The greatest tragedy in the world is not economic, it is not a pandemic, but it is sin, and the coming judgement of God against sin! This is the greatest problem and the greatest threat this world has. And the worst part is, that none of us knew that sin was a problem, for we loved sin and were immersed in it. We are unable to see our need to be rid of it. And yet; God sent His Son, to be in the likeness of men (as we saw earlier in Galatians 4:4-5) Jesus is the salvation that was beheld by Simeon before the cross and the resurrection happened. We live after those events, which should give us even more confidence that His salvation is true and sure! Christian. You have a true and sure hope that transcends our current circumstances and challenges! Simeon saw Him and was glad. What about you?

The coming of Christ had one very important implication for Simeon. It meant that he was ready to die. He began his song (v.29-32) by speaking of his final departure, his dismissal unto death. Yet he was joyful! Brithers and sisters, how should that inform our life? Anyone that has seen Jesus with the eyes of faith is prepared to die, and anyone who has not seen him, is not ready to die at all.

Simeon, a fellow believer, did not despair at his known coming fate, but rather praised God for he had seen His salvation. Christian, do you live satisfied in the revelation of God in His Son coming to the world and dying for you? Do you see your life in hopeful expectation, like Simeon, to see God’s salvation? The difference is that Simeon saw him and then died. But Christian, when you see Jesus, you will live forever with Him! What an amazing thing to long for!

“The manger lies in the shadow of the cross”, and the cross sheds the light of eternal life, together with the one who was nailed to it. Jesus is God’s salvation!

In v.33 Mary and Joseph marvel at what Simeon proclaims. Even though they experienced many supernatural events, here is the first time that Mary and Joseph hear of a salvation to all peoples, going from Israel to the Gentiles! (v.30-32). Simeon’s praise to God and His Messiah has also an evangelistic aspect! This is a salvation that goes to all the world. We will mention this later.

So far in this section we have seen that Jesus was both the awaited consolation from God to His people, and that Jesus is God’s salvation. Now let us continue looking at our section. Let us move to verses 34 and 35

Here we see the further explanation that Simeon gives to the revelation of Jesus being God’s salvation. We can summarize this with one word: Suffering. We could almost rephrase this as “:salvation through suffering”. And this suffering involves Jesus and those close to Him. In the book of Luke so far, from the former prophecies of Mary, Zechariah and the angels, we have learned about the glory and greatness of Jesus. But here we learn that he will be the object of opposition (v.34). From later in the gospels we know that Jesus will be despised and rejected and will end up betrayed and condemned to die. [add bear the wrath of God against sin]

Simeon also spoke about the fall and rising of many in Israel. Jesus even spoke of himself in similar terms later in his ministry as we read in Matthew 21:42-44 where Jesus says:

Matthew 21:42-44 42 Jesus said to them, “Have you never read in the Scriptures: ‘The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; this was the Lord’s doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes’? 43 Therefore I tell you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people producing its fruits. 44 And ithe one who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces; and when it falls on anyone, it will crush him.”

Jesus himself was very aware of this. Even though Simeon called Jesus the “saviour in the presence of all peoples” back in v.31, it did not mean that all will embrace him. Jesus came for the fall and rising of many in Israel and for a sign that is opposed, so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed (v.35)

Jesus is not only the consolation awaited by believers, not only God’s salvation for all peoples, but the revealer of human hearts, in judgement. How does this play out? Jesus really exposes what is in our hearts. If we are truly humbled by our sin, then we will see our need for forgiveness and be drawn to Jesus by faith, and Jesus will raise us up together with Him. The word Simeon used for “rising” is used in the New Testament in other places to refer to resurrection! Everyone who believes in Jesus will rise, with Him, to heaven. But, to those who refuse to be humbled by their sin, Jesus is a stumbling block. Those who stand proud, who think they need no forgiveness, who think that they can make it to heaven on their own, those who have a really hard time understanding why they would need to believe in Christ. For them to say that salvation comes only through Christ and His Cross is very offensive. This is what Simeon meant when he said of Jesus that he would cause the “fall of many in Israel” (v.35). Just remember that some years later, the greatest opposition Jesus had was that of the pharisees, who believed that they could achieve God’s holiness with their own keeping of the Law. As we read in 1 Corinthians 1:23-24:

“But we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God”

This is the way it has always been! When people truly understand the claims of Christ, most of them are scandalized. It is meant to be that way. And there are 2 diametrically opposed outcomes, we either are humbled, or, in pride, are offended and angered by this message. What is your response to Jesus? Are you for Him or against Him? Will you raise with him or will you fall? This is the great question of life and death! This man, the God-Man who fulfilled the law all throughout His life, offers you His righteousness so that you can stand on that great day, when He will finally separate those who are His from those who are against Him. This Jesus, fully God and Fully man, who represents us perfectly to the Father, who is himself God’s salvation, is the greatest gift we have been given. Would you follow him? Would you trust Him? Our lives end and become anew when we encounter God’s salvation. Just like Simeon. Jesus has conquered death and sin, to extend salvation to all. That is our great salvation!

Brothers and sisters, we have seen so far 2 very important things: How Jesus lived according to the Law and its importance, and how Jesus is God’s consolation for God’s people and God’s salvation extended to all people, for the salvation and judgement of all. And now, let us turn to the account of Anna (v.36-37)

3) Jesus - Proclaimed with thankfulness (36-37)

We looked at who Simeon was in our previous section. And here we are encountered with the first prophetess of the New Testament. Anna. She was the 2nd person to witness God’s salvation on that day. From the text (v.36-37) we know that Anna was a godly woman. A prophetess, advanced in years; and a widow, who devoted herself to God by going to the temple (not missing a single service!) and by fasting. Anna praised God and was dependent on God spiritually and physically. In verse 38 we see that she recognized her redeemer! Her response to her encounter to Jesus was one of thankfulness!

When looking at Simeon we mentioned in passing that “Salvation is evangelistic and this is ushered with Jesus” as we saw from v.31-32. And here in v.38 we see this played out perfectly in the person of Anna. Her joy of knowing God and having met God’s salvation drove her to thankfulness and evangelism! The good news was too good for Anna to keep to herself, she had to share it! Her life was all about worship and witness!

Brothers and sisters, have you seen Jesus? We live many years after he was on earth, but have you come to know Him as your Saviour from the coming judgement? If you have, praise God for the free gift of your salvation and be encouraged by looking at Anna’s example to share Him to others out of the joy that comes looking forward to the day when you will be raised together with Jesus into eternal life!

We live on the other side of the cross, after Jesus was raised from the death, when he defeated death and sin! and not only that, but He offers us His perfect righteousness!

Simeon, when facing Christ, considered his life completed and was ready to die. Anna, as soon as she met Jesus, made him known and praised God. Christian, what about you? How much more should you praise God for the lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world?

So to review. we have seen that Jesus lived under the law, and how this was important. Also how Jesus is God’s salvation for both Jews and Gentiles, who would be both a blessing to many and a stumbling block to others, and this salvation would be accomplished in the midst of suffering. And lastly how Anna, praised God for His salvation and made Him known

Now let us turn to our last section in our passage.

4) Jesus - Growing under the law (v.39-40)

Here we see some of the same aspects we saw at the beginning. It works as a “book end” We see in verses 21-24 how everything about Jesus’ life revolved around the Law and how things were done according to the law, and here in v.39 we see the exact same phrase. v.39: “and when they had performed everything according to the Law of the Lord'' This is very relevant for our passage, Luke has stressed the importance of Jesus’ life being under the law in v.22,23,24 and 27. We have also seen so far that Jesus is God’s salvation. And how is this salvation being played out? It is being worked out by Jesus’ fulfillment of the Law. We saw this earlier when referring to Galatians 4:4-5. Jesus was born under the law to redeem those under the law. The idea of redemption as we have seen even here (in the presentation of the first born) is that one of purchase. Jesus purchased His own people by offering His perfect life.

At the beginning of v.40 we see a very important point that is repeated later in the gospel of Luke. Let us consider when Jesus was 12 years old and went to the temple. After Jesus was found by His parents and He declared to them that He must be in His Father’s house (v.49) and by that response made his own parents marvel again, not fully understanding what was said (v.50) and that Jesus, despite of this event, was an obedient son (v.51) and that Mary treasured this in her heart (v.51) we are told that Jesus “increased in wisdom and stature and in favour with God and man” (v.52)

V.40 and v.52 repeat the same point. Jesus, the God-Man continues to grow! Remember elder Phil’s message last week? We see that Jesus is fully divine and fully human. That in His divinity he knew all things, he even knew what was in the heart of men. And Jesus in His humanity learned things.

We are told in v.40 that Jesus grew physically, spiritually and in divine grace.

How is this important to us?

In his physical growth, he experienced changes in His body, like we do. He learned through time, to walk, to run, he learned to talk, he learn how to be a good son, friend, worker. And in that respect He can relate to us!

In His Spiritual growth, He increased in His knowledge, filled with wisdom. The phrase mentioned in v.40 shows that Jesus’ development was gradual, day by day, becoming wiser as time progressed. In His humanity, the God-Man learned things. How amazing is that the creator of all, who knew all things in His divinity, came to learn experientially things on earth! In His humanity, He learned the same way we do! He knows how hard it is to learn new things

At the end of v.40 is said of Him that “the favour of God was upon Him”. In a special way, God manifested His favour and love to Him. He guided His steps. Remember Hebrews 4:15 where it says “yet (he was) without sin?” The development of this child was perfect! in all of its ways. He was tempted like us in every way, yet without sin!

This last point should make us be ever more grateful to God. He provided the perfect Saviour. One that, grew in humanity, wisdom and lived a perfect life, sealed by the work of God. We have truly been given the perfect man! the God-Man who lived with no sin, who lived a true human life. And this perfect life can be offered instead of yours to God.

If this is new to you. If you have not trusted God for your salvation before. Let me present you this, the greatest gift of all. Christmas doesn’t get any better! May you experience true Christmas today! The greatest, most amazing gift, the person and work of Christ, on your behalf. Please consider this. Jesus is a pivotal person. We either are with him, or we are opposing him. I want to encourage you to please consider your standing. Have you ever lived the perfect life?The Holy, Holy, Holy God will not allow any imperfect thing in His presence, but His perfect Son is the only one who has never sin. He never sinned! Consider your standing with God and His salvation, offered to all

And if you are a believer and are hearing this message. Rejoice! Your salvation is sure, not because of who you are, but because of whom Christ is. He is the perfect saviour, the perfect keeper of God’s law, the God-Man who has never sinned. Who truly lived a human life. Who can offer a perfect life in your behalf, and this by faith. The greatest gift of all. Praise God!