This is the fourth in a series of blogs looking at Luke 2:1-52.
In the narrative of Luke 2, the life of Jesus has been shared recounting His birth, His early boyhood, and His growth to age twelve. Events surrounding His growth from His circumcision and recognition in the Temple to His return to Jerusalem as a twelve year old is summarized in one verse, Luke 2:40 (TLV), which says, “The Child kept growing and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon Him.”
There are significant events that accompanied His early years recorded in Matthew’s Gospel. Matthew writes extensively about the coming of the Magi, their interaction with Herod, their worship of Christ, an angel’s intervention stopping them from returning to Herod, Herod’s fury regarding the birth a king, and Herod’s edict to kill all male infants 2 years old and younger. In the midst of this atrocity, an angel appears to Joseph and instructs him to take Jesus and his mother Mary to Egypt to escape Herod’s fury to kill the Baby Boy. Joseph obeys the angel’s instruction, flees to Egypt, and stays there until he is told by an angel to return to Israel because Herod has died. Joseph returns to Israel but is afraid of Herod’s son, who is now the king; an angel instructs Joseph to go to Nazareth fulfilling what was previously spoken by a prophet saying, “that out of Egypt I have called My Son.”; and the word spoken by the prophets that Jesus would be called a Nazarene. All of this is detailed in Matthew 2:1-23.
Joseph, Mary, and Jesus are in Nazareth. The family is growing and Jesus is becoming older, stronger, wiser, and blessed by His Heavenly Father. It would be interesting to know what all of that looked like in real life.
Luke 2:41-52 opens for us a window into the life of Christ. One can only imagine the details of Luke 2:40 that I just referenced and wondered about; yet, I believe that the wording is significant. So I will revisit the verse. Luke 2:40 (TLV), says, “The Child kept growing and became strong, filled with wisdom, and the favor of God was upon Him.”
At the close of the previous blog, I asked a question. Do you think Jesus was a ‘precocious’ child? I am aware that one must be very careful ascribing adjectives to the person of Jesus because Jesus is unique. He is the Incarnate Son of God in the flesh; therefore, He is the Son of Man. He is completely sinless. He is without sin.
The word ‘precocious’ (according to the Oxford American College Dictionary, c. 2002) means (of a child) having developed certain abilities or proclivities at an earlier age than usual. (of behavior or ability) indicative of such development: a precocious talent for computing. (of a plant) flowering or fruiting earlier than usual.” Is this true of Jesus? One can only speculate. We must be careful not to make outlandish statements. It is too easy to make assumptions using man’s wisdom. However, I think it is safe to say that Luke 2:40 encapsulates the meaning of the word ‘precocious’; and I would like to share with you why I believe that is true according to the passage before us, Luke 2;41-52.
verses 41-42, tell us that Jesus has journeyed with His parents to Jerusalem. Officially, as a twelve year old, He is required to present Himself before the Lord at each of the three feasts. He is coming to Passover, the first of the three yearly feasts(Exodus 23:14-17, Deuteronomy 16:16). Jesus is presenting Himself before His Heavenly Father according to the Torah. He is fulfilling the law; but it is more than that.
Is Jesus ‘strong’? There is no reason to doubt His physical growth. The word ‘strong’ (Strong’s Concordance) means to be vigorous. The root word that it is derived from means mighty. I believe that it is safe to say that Jesus has grown into a healthy young boy now 12 years old.
verse 43, tells us Jesus did not return home with His parents; He stayed in Jerusalem, and His parent’s were not aware of it. Question: Now that Jesus is twelve, and He has become ‘Bar Mitzvah’ (son of the commandment), has He decided to do His own thing? After all, He is now recognized as an adult, responsible for His own actions; is He selfishly testing the ‘waters of Belonging’? He can’t be acting selfishly. He is the Son of God/Son of Man without sin. If we don’t remember that, then we can easily accuse Jesus of being disobedient. The reality is that we know that Jesus will not sin. Paul said, 2 Corinthians 5:21(TLV), He (God, the Father) made the One (Jesus, the Son) who knew no sin to become a sin offering on our behalf, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.” The Apostle Peter wrote, 1 Peter 2:22(TLV) “He (Jesus) committed no sin, nor was any deceit found in His mouth.” End of speculation. (inserts mine)
I believe that Jesus was acting in ‘wisdom’ at this moment in His life. He was doing what was right.
But, His decision to remain in Jerusalem caused a panic when His parents realized that He was not in the caravan headed home.
verses 44-45, tells us, “Supposing He was in the caravan, they went a day’s journey, then began looking for Him. When they did not find Him (Opps!), they returned to Jerusalem to search for Him. (insert mine)
I wonder what was going through their minds? I wonder what they were discussing? Is it possible they said to one-another ?, “He’s never done anything like this before.” “What has come over Him?”
Sounds plausible to me.
Have you ever had to look for your child? One that was missing ! Christine and I have had to do that. One time it was for Rebecca; the other time it was for Daniel. Not fun. Stressful. Anxious. Scary. But, we found them.
verse 46 tells us that after 3 days they found Him (huge parental relief) in the Temple. I wonder why it took them so long to go there to look for Him? (just curious) (inserts mine)
What do you think would be your response regarding finding your child under similar circumstances?
Let’s stop there for now, and let you ponder that thought.
Guess what? I am still a parent, concerned about my children.
deo
part 4
Living Words of Encouragement 