Jesus the Great Teacher - Luke 2:39-52

Introduction

Last week we finished up what Simeon and the Prophetess’s Anna had to say...

Today we will read of Jesus in the Temple all grown up at the bright age of 12

Please Stand for the reading

Luke 2:39–52 ESV

And when they had performed everything according to the Law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom. And the favor of God was upon him. Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover. And when he was twelve years old, they went up according to custom. And when the feast was ended, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents did not know it, but supposing him to be in the group they went a day’s journey, but then they began to search for him among their relatives and acquaintances, and when they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem, searching for him. After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. And when his parents saw him, they were astonished. And his mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us so? Behold, your father and I have been searching for you in great distress.” And he said to them, “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” And they did not understand the saying that he spoke to them. And he went down with them and came to Nazareth and was submissive to them. And his mother treasured up all these things in her heart. And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man.

Pray

Context and background:

Sometime has past since Jesus was found to be called by Simeon names such as “Salvation and consolation of Israel”

Sometime has passed since as a babe Jesus was embraced by Simeon and as He being held, the prophetess Anna proclaimed Him as redemption for the people of God

And today we will read of how Jesus found His way back to His Father’s House (the Temple)

But to start out we could not leave out this portion of the text about what happened after they left the temple when He was still a newborn baby.

Luke 2:39-40 “And when they had performed everything according to the Law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom. And the favor of God was upon him.”

Jesus who fulfilled the Law, fully; even from birth.

So it’s important to see that everything that was supposed to happen in the temple according to the Law and customs of the Jews was finished and accomplished fully, as Jesus was a baby

Then they returned home “and the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom. And the favor of God was upon him.”

As any child in the home does, So Jesus grows as his parents love, nurture, care and teach him in the household

And here specifically in our text it mentions “filled with wisdom.”

That being said for context today the Boy Jesus in the Temple; not as a babe: But Jesus is now 12 years old as His earthly father (Jospeh) is leading His family to the Jerusalem for the “appointed ordinances” In Jewish custom and tradition.

Luke 2:41 “Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover.”

Parents meaning Jospeh and Mary, “every year” meaning every year as Joseph was a faithful Jew.

Meaning Jospeh at times past went without Mary and at times in past went without Jesus, because neither Mary nor Jospeh were on the scene yet.

So let it be said it shouldn’t be that we go to Church service for our children alone but for our owns souls and nourishment from God’s Word.

See as they are heading to Jerusalem; (“Jewish males were to go to Jerusalem three times a year: at the feasts of Passover/Unleavened Bread, Pentecost, and Tabernacles.

And In Jesus' day, women usually attended with their husbands or fathers, so therefore Mary went with Jospeh (so before Mary met Jospeh it was probably that Mary’s Father took her)

So just as Jospeh was leading His family to the Feast Of the Passover in Jerusalem:

So Fathers and Husbands in here we can learn from Jospeh, we are to be the leaders of our households, we are the head of our household that God has given to us to lead well, and espically spiritually

And as an encouragement to the Husbands and Fathers’ so leading and being the head of your household; is absolutely one of the most difficult but most rewarding callings we can have! So Press on to look more like Jesus in this area of spiritual leadership.

So Jospeh was leading His family, his wife (Mary and His Son Jesus) to Jerusalem for the Feast of the Passover:

If we know from last week they were just in Jerusalem in our text last Sunday (But Jesus was just an infant)

Now time has passed and they return to Jerusalem where the “feast of the passover and the temple were”

So did Mary and Jospeh travel alone? No!

Luke 2:42 “And when he was twelve years old, they went up according to custom.”

And they went up; all them, no one stayed back - It was time to worship!

And how old was Jesus? 12!

See the commentary I was reading said this - Soniclight “Jewish parents took their young sons with them for a year or two before the boy became a "son of the covenant" usually at age 13. Luke called Jesus a boy (v. 43; Gr. pais, also used of servants) here rather than a child, which was the term he used of Jesus in verse 40.

"Jewish boys became responsible for their actions at thirteen.

At the age of twelve the instruction of boys became more intensive in preparation of the recognition of adulthood

So Jesus entering adulthood soon as He is 12; is being taught by His earthly Father the ways’s of not only tradition but worship (Did Jesus really need to learn this?; No but Jesus fully God and fully man (divine) still had earthly Father, who played a role in His life that which obviously left an impact. How? (for instance Jesus was a carpenter, but you know who first was a carpenter? Joseph.)

How important for us as Father’s to take hold the serious the calling of leading our family Spiritually: (our wife and our children)

Raising our young men to be men of the Word, integrity, strength, humility, wisdom and one day a husband

Raising our young women to be women who are of the Word, submissive, loving, compassionate and one day wives

Luke 2:43 “And when the feast was ended, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents did not know it,”

So if we are following Lukes Orderly Account of His Gospel:

What feast is this talking about and what is it’s meaning?

The Israelites celebrated the first Passover, as God commanded them through Moses.

A yearly holy day set apart for the Israelites to observe the Exodus from Egypt, particularly the passing over of the Israelite firstborn males when the firstborn of Egypt were struck down in the last of ten plagues.

So let’s jump to after the Passover, and they (Mary and Joesph) are now returning home to Nazareth...

Meaning they all attended the Passover feast, and now it t was time to head back home

But...

“the boy Jesus stayed behind, in Jerusalem. His parents did not know it,...”

So after celebrating Passover, they notice the 12 year old boy Jesus, did not return and he “stayed in Jerusalem”

Now do we say that Jesus disobeyed in this moment his parents? No. Jesus is perfect, and never once disobeyed which would be contrary to the Scriptures, as the Scriptures speak of “Honor thy Father and thy Mother...”

That which Jesus obeyed them perfectly!

See it was apart of God’s will, for Jesus to stay in Jerusalem; they didn’t just purposely leave Him though, we learn they just forgot to check for Him.

Luke 2:44 “but supposing him to be in the group they went a day’s journey, but then they began to search for him among their relatives and acquaintances,”

See the trip back to Nazareth:

As they headed to Jerusalem from Nazareth so it wasn’t just the three of them; as this would been a weak number of people for such a long and potentially dangerous trip

But how this worked is family and friends all went together to Jerusalem for the Feast of the Passover:

And in this the line up would be (Women and Children in front and the Men and Boys in the back)

So as Jesus was only 12 , a child, still not yet a young boy. So we know He would be in the middle of these two groups at that Jr. High stage of life.

Mary supposed that Jesus must of been in the back with Jospeh, while Joseph supposed that Jesus was in the front with Mary.

So we can see it was “a day’s journey” meaning Jesus had two full days at the place He intended to go, as now their was another day’s journey back to Jerusalem

So again we can’t say that Jesus disobeyed His parents therefore sinned! No! He didn’t disobey his parents, his parents “supposed” and they were wrong.

That was on them (parents own your mess ups; it will teach your children humility)

Luke 2:45 “and when they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem, searching for him.”

Now the search for Jesus was on, first amongst all the family and friends; then to Jerusalem to find this Son who has been confirmed as being...

Conceived of the Holy Spirit

Called Salvation, consolation of Israel and redemption

Can you imagine what Jospeh and Mary are feeling searching for little/not so little Jesus in big Jerusalem?

See when parents lose their children in a location even for a split second, so many speak of “what if moments...”

I wonder what was running through their minds?

“Such as Oh no we’ve done it this time!”

It’s funny because I think of when even lose little Oliver and Ezra in the house (for a split second) they are usually up to no good.

For Mary and Jospeh it may have been ...We have lost Jesus; and well if He is the rise and fall of many we will never know if we can’t find him.

Luke 2:46-47 “After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions.... And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers.”

So after 3 days...(Can you imagine three full days, no sleep, no rest for your heart mind or soul as their is what if’s and anxieties of your lost child? in this case you know it’s God’s Son.)

One might wonder if first Mary and Joseph searched for Him in the theaters, circuses, parks, sports complexes, shops, and streets of Jerusalem.

But no this 12 year old was where? Among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions...

Now what is important to know about this group of teachers?

These were probably different rabbi’s around the region.

As the Scripture here makes it very clear it was not just one teacher but “teachers”

And after Passover their would be a-lot of the “phd’ers’ in theology discussing their stance on their theology, and they would all go the Temple after the “Feast of the Passover to visit, and talk theology”

It’s like when we get together for SBTC annual meeting; many pastors getting together to speak on one topic the Church and theology

Theology - meaning the study of God

The study of God is the study of God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. (the Trinity)

And so Jesus is here sitting in the Temple: and with marvelous insight, as he is a Child Prodigy; so He left all who were in attendance in amazement, with his understanding and answers.

So as he was in the Temple He asked provocative questions; in depth questions that which the likes of some of these rabbis never heard asked before or never though to ask themselves

Those “teachers” who had been doing this for a long time, maybe even their whole life.

Those to whom had their doctorate in theology; were left in awe at this 12 year old’s teachings, as it says... “And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers.”

It was as if Jesus asked the questions, and waited for their response. And as they answered, so He would seem to be setting them straight "teaching the teachers of the day”

“And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers.” - His answers? Wasn’t Jesus just asking them the questions?

We see here Jesus answering His own questions, as to help the Rabbi’s understand more of the Truth.

Today brothers and sisters as we see Jesus so young, only 12; having not been with his parents found himself with the star cast crowd; the head honchos leading the Temples around the rabbis

And He was asking questions, listening, understanding and answering questions (did they know who He was yet? no, not yet but they would one day)

Here’s the thing, every Rabbi had a deep flaw, just as today every teacher has a deep flaw because of sin in our theology; but Jesus did not because He is without error and the perfect in wisdom.

Jesus is divine, we call this divinity (Meaning Jesus is fully God and Fully Man at the same time)

Colossians 1:19 “For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell,”

So here in this moment in Jesus boyhood; we see Jesus’s wisdom and divinity on display

Jesus only a boy understood who He was, He was the LORD, He was God in flesh and He was to teach about His Father in heaven and He could do so flawlessly in the Temple that day.

See there is a prosperity Gospel; and a heresy out there that says:

Jesus become’s God through His obedience on earth.

They say he was just a man and then slowly became God through His obedience to God the Father, but Jesus is God so this is Heresy of the worst.

And so Jesus fully God and Fully man teaching in the Temple, in perfect accord with His Word leaving those teachers speechless, but full of Godly wisdom and knowledge; which they had never heard in their theology books or commentaries on their shelves.

Luke 2:48 “And when his parents saw him, they were astonished. And his mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us so? Behold, your father and I have been searching for you in great distress.””

Why were his parents astonished?

Well Here their 12 year old sitting with older rabbi’s in the temple, asking questions giving understanding and answering their questions

See Jesus this 12 year old boy; wasn't’ their to be taught but to teach!

Because Jesus is the great teacher! (Omniscient - all knowing)

“And His mother said to him…” And now Mary enters back into the story line:

Mary (specifically whom) has already been through a lot speaks to her Son sitting in the temple amidst teachers...

“Son, why have you treated us so? Behold, your father and I have been searching for you in great distress.”

Again as you would find your lost child in the grocery store so there is that moment where we as the parents show our true feelings and emotions once we find the lost child.

So it was 3 FULL AND LONG Days without Jesus their son!

After all the worry and all the panic, so we may say as we find our child that was supposedly with us...

Something along the lines “Don’t you ever leave my side again; and kissing and hugging them and not letting go for one second.”

But remember Jesus is almost 13 a man in Jewish culture; was He giving Mary, His mother a foretaste of what was soon to come?

Now Jesus words next will give us clarity on why He was where He was.

Luke 2:49 “And he said to them, “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?””

It was as if He were telling his parents “Of course where else would I be?”

Do you not know who I am?

"I must be in my Father’s House”

Him being in the Temple “His Father’s House, (in this important time in Jerusalem) having these moments to ask and answer questions with His wise understanding, to those who would go out and teach others. So why would He not use his time wisely in teaching others in the Truth about His Father in Heaven to those who are going back to teach others about His Father?

Of course i’m in my Father’s House where the Word is heralded and preached and yes taught.

Jesus point is that His career and life must be about instruction on the way’s of His Father, for the temple was not only a place of worship but was also a place of teaching. (sit down) Though he is now 12 so one day will be coming where he is 30 and where this teaching will be His life and ministry to those lost in sin.”

Luke 2:50 “And they did not understand the saying that he spoke to them.”

And as they did not understand in the moment, as a lot of emotion and relief comes to their souls; as they find Jesus

So we know it takes sometime to make sense of a situation that occured when it’s completely drained you

So we can see it was not time for Mary and Joesph to understand, they just wanted to get home and as they did so from verse 52 we can see Jesus was submissive to them as his parents

It was wise for Jesus to act this way when His parents said it’

Luke 2:51 “And he went down with them and came to Nazareth and was submissive to them. .(but also another moment for Mary as it says) ..And his mother treasured up all these things in her heart.”

We have read of Mary pondering all these things in her heart”

Luke 2:19 “But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart.”

Ponder - meaning to use or exercise the mind or one’s power of reason in order to make inferences, decisions, arrive a the solution for judgments

Or the process of your mind to consider something carefully

Well in this text it says “treasuring” what would Mary be treasuring?

The fact that they found Him in the Temple (His Father’s House) asking and answering questions amongst the rabbis of the day?

Maybe even the fact that He was submissive and didn’t argue?

Or Maybe even treasuring the fact...

Mary knows, Just as Jesus knows that He is not in anyway an ordinary boy, but He is divine, He is God’s Son.

And Mary sees’s Jesus teaching leaves those teachers astonished,

Mary Treasured all these things (which were alot of things) in her heart, for this is her Son who is God’s one and only Son, the Christ who came to teach even the rabbi’s at the young age of 12 and to set them straight in the Truth.

Point:

The teachings of Jesus in the Gospels is the story of Jesus life!

But the whole Bible from Genesis to revelation points to Jesus as Savior and Lord and in this case the greatest teacher ever.

So for a teacher what is their hope as they teach?

For instance there are many teachers in here. what is the point of the lesson plan?

That the one listening may understand what is being taught; and to live it out right?

Psalm 86:11 “Teach me your way, O Lord, that I may walk in your truth; unite my heart to fear your name.” (David Writes)

So we see David ask’s the Lord to teach Him. (That he may walk in His truth)

The Lesson Plan is something that the teacher wants the student to learn (that he may live it out)

See James 1:22 “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.”

Referring to the word Hear in James 1:22 to help us understand the word teaching a bit better:

Jesus teaching’s did something in the midst of the Rabbi’s; (as they heard) him ask questions and answer them as well.

All which accumulates to a teaching moment for Jesus!

So the only reason they were amazed; is because how accurate Jesus was when they heard him teach, and their understanding in those moments; was deepened upon the teachings of Jesus Understanding and wisdom of the Scriptures

So what is the desired outcome form Jesus teachings?

Such as today a sermon or message?

The Desired outcome is Salvation: Romans 10:17 “So faith comes from hearing, (Truth communicated) and hearing through the word of Christ.”

This morning you need to know this Word; the Bible, the Truth is Jesus Christ.

And you need to know apart from Him you can not understand nor see or live out His ways without His Holy Spirit in you.

We need the power of the Holy Spirit as the gift of God; living in us as we have Trusted in Jesus as LORD and Savior

We need Him to reveal to us the truth and teachings of His Holy Word to understand and live them out.

1 Cor 2:10 “these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God.”

What is “these things” referring to here in 1 Cor? The title of 1 Cor 2:6-7 (is Wisdom from the Spirit)

1 Cor 2:6-7 “Yet among the mature we do impart wisdom, although it is not a wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are doomed to pass away. But we impart a secret and hidden wisdom of God, which God decreed before the ages for our glory.”

And you don’t have this secret wisdom if you don’t have the Holy Spirit

See for Mary…

Mary treasured these things ,teaching moments about Christ her Son: Which she witnessed, heard, seen and been apart of

Because while it was stressful as they lost Jesus, so it had to be a proud moment for Mary to sit back and treasure’; this is my boy teaching the rabbi’s.

But yall Mary lived with Jesus, He was her son; don’t you think there was so much not written down that she “treasured about him?

This Morning…

If you don’t know Christ as Lord and Savior, you need the wisdom of the Lord!

Because right now you don’t treasure Christ and all “these things” - His teachings; and you don’t understand

My prayer this morning is that you TREASURE CHRIST AND ALL THAT HE HAS SAID, DONE AND WILL CONTINUE TO DO FOR HIS GLORY!

This morning come to Christ; as we said Jesus came teaching many things; but nothing as important; on how to be saved from sin!

Psalm 86:3-5 “Be gracious to me, O Lord, for to you do I cry all the day. Gladden the soul of your servant, for to you, O Lord, do I lift up my soul. For you, O Lord, are good and forgiving, abounding in steadfast love to all who call upon you.”

Christians:

And if you are a Christian my prayer is this

Psalm 86:11 “Teach me your way, O Lord, that I may walk in your truth; unite my heart to fear your name.”

That we would ask the Holy Spirit to deepen our wisdom in the Lord and we would live out what we learn, and as well treasure all that Christ has said, done and will continue to do In us as we lean into His Holy Word.

Psalm 119 1-4 “Blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the Lord! Blessed are those who keep his testimonies, who seek him with their whole heart, who also do no wrong, but walk in his ways! You have commanded your precepts to be kept diligently.”

Jesus soon to be in boyhood, (13) and soon to be walking the earth teaching; healing; and doing miracles (30’s)...

But teaching is not all He came to do; No He came to lay down His life so that He could rescue us sinners.

How though you might ask?

Jesus Fully God and Fully Man going to the cross of calvary, and dying in the place we were supposed to be; therefore atoning and covering the sins of man and making us the righteousness of God in Christ

Jesus making it possible for our souls to come alive, by His death, burial and resurrection, giving us the Holy Spirit as a gift to teach us and lead us in His ways.

See what Jesus taught is what He lived!

It’s 2022 and Jesus has already done and completed His work and ministry on earth and it was to teach others about His Father who is in heaven And to die for our sins. (so what is the application?)

So if Jesus was to be about His Father’s business; (teaching) and we who are in Christ are becoming more like Him. And we are to “go and make disciples” (meaning to teach the Word, and live the Word that people may see Christ) ” as Matt 28 speaks

And who does the Scripture speak of as well, when it speaks of our face in Numbers? Who should shine; and reflect off our face?

Num 6:25 “may the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you;”

Yes not all of us are teachers; but all of us are Christians!

Not only do we want to be hearers of the Word but doers, not deceiving ourselves

But we want the hearing of the Word; to lead us to teach others with our lives.

Some of the best Christians are teachers not with their mouths; but with their lives, they may not be able to preach a sermon or teach. But their life is a bright reflection of what they are learning in the Holy Word of God.

We all are to become more like Christ and to do so we must be taught by the Holy Spirit through the Word, not only hearing it but living it out And shining that light for all the world to see.

As Jesus says - Sanctify them in the Truth your Word is Truth.

So everyone of us has been called to everyday ministry, to live a life that pictures the Savior, that pictures His presence, that pictures His Grace, love, faithfulness teaching and glory. Your calling is to be a window a (reflection) to the Glory of God the Father.

Has his teaching’s of His Word regenerated your dead soul? (Remember the Rabbi’s were left in Amazemnt)

Christ Jesus who is the greatest teacher; not only a greatest teacher but the only Savior and keeper of His own who’s longing for us on earth is to look more like Him.

Is this your prayer this morning Church family?

Psalm 86:11 “Teach me your way, O Lord, that I may walk in your truth; unite my heart to fear your name.”