North Anderson Baptist Church
Luke 2:39-40 NIV
A. His hometown - Nazareth - Vv. 39-40
Home...what a wonderful word. So many of us have said, “I love going away (on vacation) but I really love coming home!” I can just hear Mary and Joseph after having been in Bethlehem as long as they were and then having to go into Egypt, “I can’t wait to get home!” Here in this passage there is nothing said by Luke about going back to live in Bethlehem for a period of time and then having to go into Egypt to escape Herod’s rage against the child Jesus, as we see in Matthew’s Gospel. What does that mean? It looks like Luke just doesn’t cover that part of Jesus’ life. He rather focuses on going back to the home from where they came.
What was Nazareth? A humble town in the hills of Galilee, a little place of which it was asked contemptuously "Can anything good come out of Nazareth?" (John 1:46); a village made up of ordinary houses where dwelt a little handful of seemingly ordinary folk. Yet in Nazareth Jesus lived nearly all his life.
It was here in Nazareth that Jesus is described by Luke of growing up into a man. Luke describes Jesus as fruit of the womb of Mary, Luke 1:42; an infant, Luke 2:12; a little child, Luke 2:40; and a young man almost the age of an adult in Jewish society and afterward a man. So our Lord passed through and sanctified every stage of human life. Old age was not to be for Him. Of course we all know why, our Jesus died on a cross outside the city of Jerusalem at the age of 33. There never was an opportunity to grow old like most of us have.
Speaking of growing, these verses tell the story of Jesus and His humanity as we see that He, like other children, grew physically, He became more wise as He got older, and in the case of Jesus, we see that the favor or the grace of God was upon Him in a special way.
Luke 2:41-45 NIV
B. His declaration of purpose - Vv. 41-50
Let’s break this up into two parts. 1) Mary and Joseph discover that Jesus is not with the caravan, and then went looking for and, 2) finding Him in the Temple in Jerusalem.
1. Finding out Jesus is not with them
First we need to look at the age of Jesus and why His age is so important to this story. At twelve He is almost a man. In one more year He will be the age of adulthood. He would be at the age of accepting the responsibility for fulfilling the Law. This would be the coming of age time for young Jewish boys. According to some scholars,
“when twelve years old—At this age every Jewish boy was styled "a son of the law," being put under a course of instruction and trained to fasting and attendance on public worship, besides being set to learn a trade. At this age accordingly our Lord is taken up for the first time to Jerusalem, at the passover season, the chief of the three annual festivals. But oh, with what thoughts and feelings must this Youth have gone up! Long ere He beheld it, He had doubtless "loved the habitation of God's house and the place where His honor dwelt" (Ps 26:8), a love nourished, we may be sure, by that "word hid in His heart," with which in afterlife He showed so perfect a familiarity. As the time for His first visit approached, could one's ear have caught the breathings of His young soul, he might have heard Him whispering, "As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after Thee, O God. The Lord loveth the gates of Zion more than all the dwellings of Jacob. I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go unto the house of the Lord. Our feet shall stand within thy gates, O Jerusalem!" (Ps 42:1;Ps 87:2;Ps 122:1, 2). On catching the first view of "the city of their solemnities," and high above all in it, "the place of God's rest," we hear Him saying to Himself, "Beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole earth is Mount Zion, on the sides of the north, the city of the great King: Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God doth shine" (Ps 48:2;Ps 50:2). Of His feelings or actions during all the eight days of the feast not a word is said. As a devout child, in company with its parents, He would go through the services, keeping His thoughts to Himself. But methinks I hear Him, after the sublime services of that feast, saying to Himself, "He brought me to the banqueting house, and his banner over me was love. I sat down under his shadow with great delight, and his fruit was sweet to my taste" (Song 2:3, 4).”
After having spent the time of the Passover in Jerusalem with His parents and family, Jesus was not yet ready to return. He wanted more. Or, maybe when the family began the preparations to leave Jesus was not around but already in the Temple talking with the scribes and priests. We don’t really know what happen because Luke doesn’t tell us. All he does tell us is that the caravan went on back to Nazareth and then after the first day on the road Joseph and Mary began looking for their Son and He was nowhere to be found. Many of us would say, “How irresponsible of Mary and Joseph. Shouldn’t they have known that He was not with them?” Maybe. It would depend upon the tradition of the families traveling together, many shared the children and taking care of them. Remember now, Jesus was almost a man, He was twelve, He could take care of Himself and walk with whom He desired or sleep with another family if He chose to. But Mary looked for Him and He was not to be found. Of course, you wouldn’t let it go that long, right? Today is a different day than then.
But after finding that He was not with them they turned back to go to Jerusalem. Another day of traveling backward and then it took another day of looking for Him before they found Jesus in the Temple.
Luke 2:46-50 NIV
2) Finding Him in the Temple
Jesus had evidently spent those three days in the Temple talking with and asking questions of the priests and scribes and teachers there. Now the Bible just says teachers, but can’t you imagine that after a while hearing this young Lad and His questions and answers, that others would tell the scribes and priests that something unusual was happening out along the corridors of the Temple? Surely Jesus wasn’t teaching the teachers? No, He was merely a part of the normal teaching process of those who used the area of the Temple to teach their disciples and others who would listen to them.
Some Jewish teachers in this period reportedly conducted their classes in the temple courts; the famous Hillel and Shammai may have been two such teachers. Asking questions was used both in teaching and in learning, but it was important for learners to ask intelligent questions, as Jesus does. Teachers could answer questions with questions, and Jesus’ answers are also intelligent.
Bible Background Commentary - The IVP Bible Background Commentary – New Testament.
This process is one that Jesus used Himself as He taught people during His three years of ministry. He would teach and then ask questions of others and then they too would ask questions of Him. And 18 years or so later, He is the Teacher in these same courts, and His many, many hearers are still struck with His insight and authority. And this day maybe Jesus did at least ask questions that began the priest, teachers and scribes to think in the direction of the Messiah. "What think ye of Christ? Whose Son is He? If David call Him Lord, how is He then his Son?" "Which is the first and great commandment?" "Who is my neighbour?"
A Commentary: Critical, Experimental, and Practical on the Old and New Testaments.
The Scripture says “when Jesus was found, He was interacting with the teachers of the Law, listening and asking intelligent questions. Everyone... was amazed (existanto, "beside themselves in amazement"; cf.8:56) at His understanding and His answers. When Mary and Joseph saw Him, they were astonished (exeplagēsan, "struck out of their senses," perhaps with joy; cf.4:32;9:43). In response to Mary's question about why He had treated them in this manner, Jesus drew a sharp distinction between them and God, His true Father (2:49). His statement confirmed that He knew His mission and that His parents also should have known about His mission. However, His parents did not understand this.”
The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures by Dallas Seminary Faculty.
It looks as if even at 12 Jesus knew what His true mission on earth would be. And here we have the very first recorded words of our Lord Jesus Christ, “Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business?” Notice in this first utterance of Christ, He says,“My Father!” Even though both Mary and Joseph knew who Jesus was, they seemed not to really understand what was going on here. He would later come to use “My Father” a lot.
In this passage we can see that “Jesus is the perfect example of someone Who seeks the Lord in the days of His youth. Jesus is a perfect example for our boys and girls and youth to follow.” We can see the sinless boy of twelve who had studied the scripture being illuminated by the Holy Spirit seeking to grow even more in the shadow of the Temple.
Now during this time Mary expresses her heart, maybe not as gentle as you might think she would but she was concerned for Him and probably a little upset based upon the way she asked Jesus, "Why did you do this to us?" She was just worried and stressed out. Jesus’ answer clearly indicated something that Jesus understood from this moment on, “I must.”
“The word must was often on our Lord's lips: "I must preach" (Luke 4:43); "The Son of man must suffer" (Luke 9:22); the Son of man "must be lifted up" (John 3:14). Even at the age of twelve, Jesus was moved by a divine compulsion to do the Father's will.”
Let me make an observation here. Joseph and Mary finally looked at the Temple in their search for Jesus; I suggest that when we are seeking the truth or eternal life we should search for Jesus too, looking for Him and His truth. Where do we find Jesus and that truth? In the Word of God, preached from pulpits in sanctuaries throughout the world through faithful servants of God. Come here to the place where the church of the Lord Jesus Christ gathers to worship and learn from His faithful children. Could you dear children of God share the truth of the Gospel with a person seeking the truth or do your depend upon those whom you have been called as leaders to share with them?
When you have grown weary and sorrowful because of troubles and trials, where do you go to find ease and rest for your souls? Go to the Scripture to find out,
Matthew 11:28-30 NIV
Luke 2:51 NIV
C. His obedience to His earthly parents - v. 51
Many of us see the difference here between Jesus at twelve and others who are almost teenagers and their reaction to their parents. For those who are here today and are between 10-18, how do you behave when your parents tell you what you need to do? Are you obedient children? Does it take awhile before you come around to obey your parents? Jesus is the perfect example of how children ought to respond to their parents. Adults, don’t be too smug here, because when God gives us instructions are we swift to be obedient? Jesus chose to be obedient to not only His earthly parents but to God as well. He knew the fifth commandment and chose to follow it, “Honor your father and your mother.” Remember children, you serve God by being obedient to your parents, you place yourself under the authority of those whom God has given you as parents.
Have you ever wondered why Luke only records this one story of Jesus’ young life? How come we don’t have many other stories of the life of Christ as a child?
When the Word refers to Mary’s heart surely she had many memories of what God had told her and what she had experienced since the angel Gabriel told her of the great gift she would receive. She just adds another one from Jerusalem and her Son in the Temple. What do you think she stored their in her heart? As a mother, many of you store memories of your family and particularly of your children, what they did or said as they grew. You are not much different from Mary, are you?
How do you raise a son whom you believe to be the Messiah? That would be hard enough. But how can she understand that she is raising the Son of God himself? A boy, who, when He calls God his Father, means it literally? Mary cannot take all this in. Perhaps if she had, she would have been completely paralyzed by self-consciousness. But she treasures these moments and ponders them in her heart.
It was at this time Jesus went back and began His occupation of a carpenter. When He turned 13 He was to begin in the occupation that His family desired. Since Joseph was a carpenter it was only natural that Jesus too would be one. Many of you in here, have occupations that over the years have been considered less important than others, because of one reason or another. Take heart Jesus used His hands and did manual labor daily for over fifteen years. It is honorable to have work and seek to provide for your family no matter what it might be and even if your don’t earn a lot of money.
Luke 2:52 NIV
D. His growth was balanced - v. 52
Jesus continued to grow in every way (spiritually, mentally, and physically) and had favor with God and men. Much like other Biblical characters, John the Baptist (Luke 1:80, So the child grew and became strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his manifestation to Israel.), Samson (Judges 13:24-25, 24 So the woman bore a son and called his name Samson; and the child grew, and the Lord blessed him. 25 And the Spirit of the Lord began to move upon him at Mahaneh Dan between Zorah and Eshtaol.), Samuel (1 Samuel 2:26, “And the child Samuel grew in stature, and in favor both with the Lord and men.”), Jesus grew as the Lord planned in wisdom of man and God, in strength of man and God and particularly, Jesus seemed to have a way with people, they loved Him and got along with Him as a young boy, He also received from God a different kind of favor, a divine favor and grace that would carry Him through the days of His life of ministry that would be full of trouble and trial and eventually death on the cross. His life would show that God had touched Him like no other person on the earth.
Isn’t it interesting that it was in Nazareth where as a boy He had favor with all men and it would be His hometown that He would be publicly rejected!
Isn’t interesting that He grew in wisdom? Didn’t Jesus know everything? Wasn’t He God and man? Someone has said,“Jesus grew, but did he learn? He didn't start out from infancy with all knowledge -- he had "emptied himself" of omniscience when he became a man (Philippians 2:7). God continued to “fill Him” with wisdom and knowledge. As daddy’s do, God watched over His Son, as He grew up into the man He would be, to change the world and bring salvation to all mankind.
The life of Jesus in Nazareth was to show that God's revelation can blossom in the midst of common life and his message be conveyed in experience fulfilling itself in the everyday relationships of the familiar place.
Jesus is a wonderful example for all young people to follow. He grew in a balanced way without neglecting any part of life, and His priority was to do the will of His Father. He knew how to listen and how to ask the right questions. He learned how to work, and He was obedient to His parents.
The Boy Jesus grew up in a large family, in a despised city, nurtured by parents who were probably poor. The Jewish religion was at an all-time low, the Roman government was in control, and society was in a state of fear and change. Yet when Jesus emerged from Nazareth, eighteen years later, the Father was able to say of Him, "Thou art My beloved Son; in Thee I am well pleased" .Bible Exposition Commentary (BE Series) - New Testament - The Bible Exposition Commentary – New Testament, Volume 1.
Will the Father say that about us?
Conclusion
1. Faith in Jesus Christ is based upon the revelation which God has given us about His Son. God has revealed Jesus as fully God and fully man. Faith is believing and trusting that Jesus is God.
If you haven’t yet come to faith in Jesus today is the day. People are here that can show you the way, you come and trust the Lord Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord.
2. Are you growing in your knowledge of God and are you obedient to the knowledge you have?
Look deep into your heart and be honest, are you? If not what will you do about it today? The Church of Jesus Christ is here to help you and me to grow in the grace and knowledge of Him who died for us. It is our responsibility to seek Him and ask so someone might help you.
