The Silent Years of Jesus' Childhood

Introduction: What were some of your greatest accomplishments by the age of twelve?

Albert Einstein had taught himself Euclidean geometry.

Steven Spielberg got his first movie camera and immediately began writing scripts, drawing storyboards, and making short films.

Composer Georges Bizet had written some of his earliest compositions.

Thomas Edison had already begun to perform electrical and mechanical experiments.

In our study tonight, after looking at the genealogies and birth of Jesus, we have now arrived at Jesus' adolescent years. So, please turn in your Bible with me to Luke 2:39-52. Since we are studying the life of Jesus chronologically, we would typically consider the parallel passages pertaining to a particular event or life stage. However, when it comes to Jesus' adolescent years, Luke 2:39-52 is the only record of these years at all.

And even in Luke's gospel, there is very little information provided; but the information Luke does provide focuses on one particular event that takes place when he is twelve years old.

Read Luke 2:39-52

Question: Why did Luke include this event when none of the other gospel writers did?

Witnesses:

Gabriel bore witness of Jesus' identity

John the Baptist bore witness of Jesus' identity

Angels reveal Jesus' identity to shepherds

The shepherds witness Jesus' identity

Simeon witnesses Jesus' identity

Anna witnesses Jesus' identity

Jesus is aware of his own identity

From Birth-12 Years Old (Luke 2:39-40)

Hebrews 5:8: Though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered.

Hebrews 4:15: For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.

From 12-30 Years Old (Luke 2:51-52)

Jesus Bears Witness of His Own Identity (Luke 2:41-50)