The Certainty Of Christ's Divine Ability
Book of Luke 2:39-52
We must realize that any attack on the deity of Jesus Christ is an attack on the bedrock of Christianity!
The heart of our beliefs is in recognizing that Christ Jesus died a substitutionary death to provide salvation for a lost humanity.
If Jesus Christ were only some mere man or only some prophet, He could not have died to save the world!
We can be certain of Christ's divine ability to provide the only sacrifice that was approved of our righteous God!
Divine means, those things that pertain to the true God!
Tit 2:11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,
Tit 2:12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly,
Tit 2:13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;
Tit 2:14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
Let's begin.
*****Luk 2:39 And when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city Nazareth.
As a babe, Jesus was led by His parents to fulfill all the law of the Jews.
We sometimes forget that we have the 10 moral laws of God but in actuality there were 613 commandments given to the Jews.
God sent the Lord Jesus Christ into this world to fulfill all the law, which included not only these 613 commandments but also all the prophesies of the Messiah!
Only by fulfilling all these 613 laws given to the Jews could Jesus become perfectly righteous, the true example for all mankind, and the acceptable sacrifice to appease the wrath of God!
Jesus Christ who is 100% God had to also be a 100% Perfect Man!
Jesus Christ fulfilled the Law and never failed in one single point.
Jesus Christ is the epitome of "perfection".
Rom 8:2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.
Rom 8:3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:
Rom 8:4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
In order to fulfill the Law Jesus had to keep every observance of the Jewish Law!
By His example, Jesus was showing the world what God expected from each of us!
God already knows that we as humans simply do not have it in us to be sin free!
Everyone who follows Jesus will be covered by His sinless perfection, His death, His resurrection, and His ascension.
Everyone who follows Jesus Christ by faith, will be covered by His righteousness because we simply do not have any.
Isa 64:6 But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.
Every religion in this world will teach that you must work your way to appease God but God says that is impossible for you to do on our own!
So for these reasons God led Joseph and Mary to fulfill all the Law for their child.
A baby dedication is always more about the parents than it is about the child!
We see that the childhood home of Jesus was in the city of Nazareth.
Luk 4:16 And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up for to read.
It is also in Nazareth where Jesus began His public ministry.
Mat 13:54 And when he was come into his own country, he taught them in their synagogue, insomuch that they were astonished, and said, Whence hath this man this wisdom, and these mighty works?
Mat 13:55 Is not this the carpenter's son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas?
Mat 13:56 And his sisters, are they not all with us? Whence then hath this man all these things?
Nazareth was an ideal place for the Messiah to be brought up.
Nazareth was a quiet town, it was a small town, and Nazareth had a bad reputation, which kept the Jews close together.
Nazareth was a place where the Jews could meet the rest of the world.
Two major roads passed within eyesight of this little city.
One road connected the East to the West.
The other connected the North to the South.
All types of people traveled these roads.
So, Nazareth became an obscure place, despised and a reproach to most all Jews.
Joh 1:46 And Nathanael said unto him, Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip saith unto him, Come and see.
Jesus was born in a stable, the lowest of all places.
Jesus was raised in Nazareth the lowest of all places.
Jesus made Himself of no reputation!
Php 2:7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
Php 2:8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
We can be sure God had His own reasons for all these things.
*****Luk 2:40 And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.
We must have a clear understanding Jesus was 100% human and still 100% God.
As a child, Jesus was already strong in the Spirit.
As a child, Jesus was already filled with wisdom.
The idea given to us by Luke, is that Jesus the human grew as a normal child and had a vigorous growth in the Spirit.
Jesus did not just grow in wisdom, Jesus was filled with wisdom.
Jesus grew in His humanity as well as any child could grow, well and healthy.
Jesus is the only child born to this earth that was perfect in His growth at every stage of His childhood!
Jesus Christ came into this world not only to save all those that believe on Him but He also came to be our the perfect example in all things!
Jesus Christ is our example at every stage of development from child to adult.
Jesus suffered through these experiences so He could personally know how we feel in this world full of temptation and sin.
Php 2:3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.
Php 2:4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.
Php 2:5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
God needed to demonstrate the simple truth to all mankind!
Mat 18:3 And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.
Mat 18:4 Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
Jesus Christ experienced every situation, every condition, and every trial of man in order to become the perfect Savior.
When we begin to complain about our lives we need to remember Jesus.
Jesus was born to an unwed mother.
Jesus was born in a stable.
Jesus was raised in a poor family.
The life of Jesus was threatened as a baby.
Jesus was raised in a most despicable place.
The adopted father of Jesus died while He was young.
Jesus had to help His brothers and sisters support His mother.
Jesus started His ministry without a home or a place to lay His head.
Jesus was hated and opposed fiercely but all religions.
Jesus was charged with being insane.
Jesus was charged with demon possession.
Jesus was opposed by His own family.
Jesus was rejected, opposed, and hated by many who heard Him preach.
Jesus was betrayed by a close friend.
Jesus was left alone, rejected and forsaken by all His friends.
Jesus was tried in a false court, with false witnesses, and charged with treason but was innocent of all charges.
Jesus was executed by crucifixion, the worst possible death.
The next time things are not going our way and we want to complain we should remember the things our Savior went through just so we can spend eternity with Him in Heaven!
Jesus in His person, possessed the "Grace" of God.
We should also remember Jesus was never forced to do all these things it was His choice!
Joh 3:35 The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand.
Joh 3:36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.
Even from a child Jesus was always faithful in His worship!
*****Luk 2:41 Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the passover.
Luk 2:42 And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast.
Joseph had adopted Jesus and the parents of Jesus, Joseph and Mary were faithful in their worship because "it was their custom" to keep the Feast of the Passover.
All male Jews who lived within 20 miles of Jerusalem were required by Law to attend the Temple three times a year, at Passover, at Pentecost, and at the Feast of Tabernacles.
The women were exempt by the Law but they could attend if they so wished.
Mary chose to be with her family!
We see that they all worshiped by choice!
It was also at these times that the Word of God was read and also explained where it could be understood.
Neh 8:2 And Ezra the priest brought the law before the congregation both of men and women, and all that "could hear with understanding", upon the first day of the seventh month.
Jesus belonged to God but God had entrusted His keeping in the hands of Joseph and Mary.
They had the same responsibilities as any and all parents!
Jesus was just 12 years of age on this trip but when Jewish boys turn 13 they are expected to keep all the Jewish Laws by knowing them.
It was also a custom of most parents to bring the boys to the Temple a year or two early so they could become familiar with the Temple and the Feasts.
We can see that God expects all children to be taught from the very first about God and true worship.
Joh 4:23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.
Joh 4:24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.
The worship of God has not changed!
Every child needs to become familiar with God and seek their own personal relationship with Him.
Psa 34:11 Come, ye children, hearken unto me: I will teach you the fear of the LORD.
Then as the parents of Jesus reached that time to go back home, Jesus was not quite ready.
*****Luk 2:43 And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it.
Luk 2:44 But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day's journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance.
Luk 2:45 And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him.
Jesus was, is, and always will be, the preeminent child of God. The relationship Jesus had with His Father could only be achieved by Him.
But even in this, Jesus is our perfect example of our own personal relationship with our Father in Heaven.
God wants each and everyone of us to have an unbroken knowledge and communion with Him.
God wants each of us to do His will He has for each of us!
Jesus social development was as any normal Jewish child of God fearing parents.
Joseph and Mary the mother of Jesus had finished their worship obligations and were returning home to Nazareth.
Without their knowledge Jesus had remained behind.
Joseph and Mary would have traveled in a large caravan along with all others who had made the same journey for the same reasons.
Many pilgrims attended the Feast in Jerusalem.
It was common for the children to gather together as the caravan began and Jesus was not missed.
Joseph and Mary were so sure of these things, that they did not look for Jesus until nightfall and they did not find Him.
When they did not find Him then at daylight they returned to Jerusalem.
It had been 3 days to find Jesus because Joseph and Mary had traveled a full day, it took a full day to return and it was on the 3rd day when they found Jesus at the Temple.
We see that even as a child, Jesus was in the midst of other people!
Jesus is in the midst wherever, 2 or 3 are gathered in His name even today.
And Jesus will stand in the midst of the redeemed when we all get to Heaven.
Rev 5:6 And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.
So, They found Jesus in the Temple, "in His Father's house".
*****Luk 2:46 And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions.
Luk 2:47 And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers.
Those "doctors" would have been the scholars of the Jewish Law. There were many in that day and time but it is very possible that Nicodemus and Gamaliel could have been among this group of men.
Joh 3:10 Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things?
Jesus' knowledge of the Scriptures was surprising to these men of the Jewish Law.
We should understand that it was a custom among these men to hold open classes and discussions so the public could listen and learn.
But such a young man with such knowledge and understanding would have certainly gotten their attention!
The parents of Jesus had been traveling but Jesus had been amongst these scholars for 3 days.
Jesus was making use of every opportunity He had, notice He was both "hearing and asking questions".
The word "astonished meant that they were amazed, overwhelmed, and wondered at His understanding of the Word of God!
We talk a lot about Jesus being our example and we should consider that He was and is our example in all things.
We should understand that we need to take every opportunity to learn the truth of the Word of God!
We should seek the knowledge and understanding of God's Word!
Pro 23:23 Buy the truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding.
Even His parents were amazed at what they saw when they found Him!
*****Luk 2:48 And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing.
The term "parents" is an acceptable term because Joseph had adopted Jesus as his own son and had also taught Him many things. Joseph was a carpenter and Jesus was later known as a carpenter.
We should never forget who Jesus is!
Jesus said:
Joh 8:23 And he said unto them, Ye are from beneath; I am from above: ye are of this world; I am not of this world.
Joh 8:24 I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.
Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah, who came to save all those that believe upon Him.
But Jesus is also God and He is always about the business of meeting our needs!
To Mary, Jesus was her son and certainly she was grieving at His absence.
Even Mary had a tendency to forget what the angel Gabriel had said:
Luk 1:31 And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.
Luk 1:32 He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:
Luk 1:33 And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.
BUT, There is absolutely no excuse for us to deny who Jesus is!
*****Luk 2:49 And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business?
Luk 2:50 And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them.
As a boy, we can see that Jesus had already become a deep student of the Scriptures. Jesus had a purpose in seeing what was taught by these scholars of the Bible.
Remember how He has cautioned the world about the Scriptures:
Rev 22:18 For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:
Rev 22:19 And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.
Even in His humanity at the age of 12 Jesus had already began to identify with the purpose He had come into this world!
We must never forget who Jesus is, The Lord God Almighty!
Joseph and Mary did not clearly understand what their young son was saying.
BUT, Jesus clearly understood that He was the Messiah!
Joh 6:38 For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.
Joh 6:39 And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day.
Jesus clearly knew who His Father was!
Jesus was always doing what His Father in Heaven wanted Him to do and His Father in Heaven was always pleased with Him!
Mat 3:17 And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
Jesus did not come to please mankind because we would all send ourselves to Hell as many will still do!
Jesus came to please His Father, because salvation is His Father's plan and God wants us all to be a part of His Salvation Plan!
God has only One Son, His name is Jesus, but God is in the adoption business!
When we know Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, this causes God to adopt each of us as His own child and we than are also placed into the Father's care!
Jesus said:
Joh 5:17 But Jesus answered them, My Father worketh hitherto, and I work.
God is in the saving business!
At this time Mary and Joseph could not understand what it is to be a true servant of God. They like most Jews were bound by the Laws of Moses but God offers true freedom from religious rituals and religious laws.
Joh 8:36 If the Son therefore shall "make" you free, ye shall be free indeed.
Then Jesus returned with His parents.
*****Luk 2:51 And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart.
Even though Jesus is the actual Son of God in accordance with the Triune God, He still obeyed His earthly parents.
It was the will of God that He lead by example!
Jesus set the perfect example of what a child should be toward his parents!
In the Bible the phrase "subject to" is frequently translated "submit to" or "be obedient to".
The Bible says we are to "be subject to one another":
1Pe 5:5 Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.
1Pe 5:6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:
1Pe 5:7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
God expects us to be a humble and caring people!
No doubt that Jesus was well aware of the work He had been sent by His Father to do.
But, it was also the will of His Father to set that example for all men.
It was the will of His Father that He return to Nazareth with His parents, for now was not the time for Him to begin His ministry.
Jesus submitted Himself to His parents and for some 18 years after this incident He lived and worked as a "Carpenter" at Nazareth, with Joseph and Mary whom His Father had chosen to be His earthly parents.
We will also realize that Joseph is not heard from again after this story and it may be that Jesus with His carpentry skills sustained His own family for some period of time.
Mar 6:2 And when the sabbath day was come, he began to teach in the synagogue: and many hearing him were astonished, saying, From whence hath this man these things? and what wisdom is this which is given unto him, that even such mighty works are wrought by his hands?
Mar 6:3 Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended at him.
Mary again kept all these things in her heart.
Mary never boasted about her son. Mary did not discuss these things with her relatives. Mary knew she had a unique son who was destined to do great things for the Lord.
It seems that she knew, that at the right time, God would reveal Him and His salvation plan to the world!
*****Luk 2:52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.
The truth is that Jesus is God and God is omniscient but Jesus the man increased in wisdom and stature.
God cannot increase in wisdom!
Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah, the God-Man.
Jesus was fully God and yet fully man "but had no sin".
It is very hard for us to comprehend just what all this means.
The Bible explains this thing.
Php 2:6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
Php 2:7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
Php 2:8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
Jesus made Himself of no reputation which means that God "emptied Himself".
God set aside all of His "omni" attributes in order to take "the form of a servant"!
In the records of the life and the teachings of Jesus we can see with surety the evidence of His deity, including His own claims and the evidence of His humanity, including the fact that Jesus the man increased in wisdom and grew in stature!
As God:
Joh 11:25 Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:
Joh 11:26 And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?
As man:
Joh 11:35 Jesus wept.
Joh 4:6 Now Jacob's well was there. "Jesus therefore, being wearied with his journey", sat thus on the well: and it was about the sixth hour.
Jesus grew in favor with God and man.
Jesus learned just as all children learn, Jesus just learned perfectly.
Jesus grew just as all children grow, Jesus was a real man, Jesus was not a wimp!
Jesus was strong in the Spirit.
Jesus had the favor of God.
Jesus looked to God in perfect obedience.
Jesus grew in favor with those around Him.
Jesus was friendly, loving, caring, helpful, unselfish, pure, honest, and still humble.
Jesus increased in these things because His goal was that the world would believe on Him and all be saved!
Joh 3:15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.
Joh 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
Joh 3:17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
We must always remember God is much more about the timing of events than He is about time itself!
It was not yet time for Jesus to begin His ministry, just as it is not now quiet time for Jesus to return!
2Pe 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
We can be certain of Christ's Divine abilities!
Questions?
Let's Pray!
Book of Luke 2:39-52
We must realize that any attack on the deity of Jesus Christ is an attack on the bedrock of Christianity!
The heart of our beliefs is in recognizing that Christ Jesus died a substitutionary death to provide salvation for a lost humanity.
If Jesus Christ were only some mere man or only some prophet, He could not have died to save the world!
We can be certain of Christ's divine ability to provide the only sacrifice that was approved of our righteous God!
Divine means, those things that pertain to the true God!
Tit 2:11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,
Tit 2:12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly,
Tit 2:13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;
Tit 2:14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
Let's begin.
*****Luk 2:39 And when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city Nazareth.
As a babe, Jesus was led by His parents to fulfill all the law of the Jews.
We sometimes forget that we have the 10 moral laws of God but in actuality there were 613 commandments given to the Jews.
God sent the Lord Jesus Christ into this world to fulfill all the law, which included not only these 613 commandments but also all the prophesies of the Messiah!
Only by fulfilling all these 613 laws given to the Jews could Jesus become perfectly righteous, the true example for all mankind, and the acceptable sacrifice to appease the wrath of God!
Jesus Christ who is 100% God had to also be a 100% Perfect Man!
Jesus Christ fulfilled the Law and never failed in one single point.
Jesus Christ is the epitome of "perfection".
Rom 8:2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.
Rom 8:3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:
Rom 8:4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
In order to fulfill the Law Jesus had to keep every observance of the Jewish Law!
By His example, Jesus was showing the world what God expected from each of us!
God already knows that we as humans simply do not have it in us to be sin free!
Everyone who follows Jesus will be covered by His sinless perfection, His death, His resurrection, and His ascension.
Everyone who follows Jesus Christ by faith, will be covered by His righteousness because we simply do not have any.
Isa 64:6 But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.
Every religion in this world will teach that you must work your way to appease God but God says that is impossible for you to do on our own!
So for these reasons God led Joseph and Mary to fulfill all the Law for their child.
A baby dedication is always more about the parents than it is about the child!
We see that the childhood home of Jesus was in the city of Nazareth.
Luk 4:16 And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up for to read.
It is also in Nazareth where Jesus began His public ministry.
Mat 13:54 And when he was come into his own country, he taught them in their synagogue, insomuch that they were astonished, and said, Whence hath this man this wisdom, and these mighty works?
Mat 13:55 Is not this the carpenter's son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas?
Mat 13:56 And his sisters, are they not all with us? Whence then hath this man all these things?
Nazareth was an ideal place for the Messiah to be brought up.
Nazareth was a quiet town, it was a small town, and Nazareth had a bad reputation, which kept the Jews close together.
Nazareth was a place where the Jews could meet the rest of the world.
Two major roads passed within eyesight of this little city.
One road connected the East to the West.
The other connected the North to the South.
All types of people traveled these roads.
So, Nazareth became an obscure place, despised and a reproach to most all Jews.
Joh 1:46 And Nathanael said unto him, Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip saith unto him, Come and see.
Jesus was born in a stable, the lowest of all places.
Jesus was raised in Nazareth the lowest of all places.
Jesus made Himself of no reputation!
Php 2:7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
Php 2:8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
We can be sure God had His own reasons for all these things.
*****Luk 2:40 And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.
We must have a clear understanding Jesus was 100% human and still 100% God.
As a child, Jesus was already strong in the Spirit.
As a child, Jesus was already filled with wisdom.
The idea given to us by Luke, is that Jesus the human grew as a normal child and had a vigorous growth in the Spirit.
Jesus did not just grow in wisdom, Jesus was filled with wisdom.
Jesus grew in His humanity as well as any child could grow, well and healthy.
Jesus is the only child born to this earth that was perfect in His growth at every stage of His childhood!
Jesus Christ came into this world not only to save all those that believe on Him but He also came to be our the perfect example in all things!
Jesus Christ is our example at every stage of development from child to adult.
Jesus suffered through these experiences so He could personally know how we feel in this world full of temptation and sin.
Php 2:3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.
Php 2:4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.
Php 2:5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
God needed to demonstrate the simple truth to all mankind!
Mat 18:3 And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.
Mat 18:4 Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
Jesus Christ experienced every situation, every condition, and every trial of man in order to become the perfect Savior.
When we begin to complain about our lives we need to remember Jesus.
Jesus was born to an unwed mother.
Jesus was born in a stable.
Jesus was raised in a poor family.
The life of Jesus was threatened as a baby.
Jesus was raised in a most despicable place.
The adopted father of Jesus died while He was young.
Jesus had to help His brothers and sisters support His mother.
Jesus started His ministry without a home or a place to lay His head.
Jesus was hated and opposed fiercely but all religions.
Jesus was charged with being insane.
Jesus was charged with demon possession.
Jesus was opposed by His own family.
Jesus was rejected, opposed, and hated by many who heard Him preach.
Jesus was betrayed by a close friend.
Jesus was left alone, rejected and forsaken by all His friends.
Jesus was tried in a false court, with false witnesses, and charged with treason but was innocent of all charges.
Jesus was executed by crucifixion, the worst possible death.
The next time things are not going our way and we want to complain we should remember the things our Savior went through just so we can spend eternity with Him in Heaven!
Jesus in His person, possessed the "Grace" of God.
We should also remember Jesus was never forced to do all these things it was His choice!
Joh 3:35 The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand.
Joh 3:36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.
Even from a child Jesus was always faithful in His worship!
*****Luk 2:41 Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the passover.
Luk 2:42 And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast.
Joseph had adopted Jesus and the parents of Jesus, Joseph and Mary were faithful in their worship because "it was their custom" to keep the Feast of the Passover.
All male Jews who lived within 20 miles of Jerusalem were required by Law to attend the Temple three times a year, at Passover, at Pentecost, and at the Feast of Tabernacles.
The women were exempt by the Law but they could attend if they so wished.
Mary chose to be with her family!
We see that they all worshiped by choice!
It was also at these times that the Word of God was read and also explained where it could be understood.
Neh 8:2 And Ezra the priest brought the law before the congregation both of men and women, and all that "could hear with understanding", upon the first day of the seventh month.
Jesus belonged to God but God had entrusted His keeping in the hands of Joseph and Mary.
They had the same responsibilities as any and all parents!
Jesus was just 12 years of age on this trip but when Jewish boys turn 13 they are expected to keep all the Jewish Laws by knowing them.
It was also a custom of most parents to bring the boys to the Temple a year or two early so they could become familiar with the Temple and the Feasts.
We can see that God expects all children to be taught from the very first about God and true worship.
Joh 4:23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.
Joh 4:24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.
The worship of God has not changed!
Every child needs to become familiar with God and seek their own personal relationship with Him.
Psa 34:11 Come, ye children, hearken unto me: I will teach you the fear of the LORD.
Then as the parents of Jesus reached that time to go back home, Jesus was not quite ready.
*****Luk 2:43 And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it.
Luk 2:44 But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day's journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance.
Luk 2:45 And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him.
Jesus was, is, and always will be, the preeminent child of God. The relationship Jesus had with His Father could only be achieved by Him.
But even in this, Jesus is our perfect example of our own personal relationship with our Father in Heaven.
God wants each and everyone of us to have an unbroken knowledge and communion with Him.
God wants each of us to do His will He has for each of us!
Jesus social development was as any normal Jewish child of God fearing parents.
Joseph and Mary the mother of Jesus had finished their worship obligations and were returning home to Nazareth.
Without their knowledge Jesus had remained behind.
Joseph and Mary would have traveled in a large caravan along with all others who had made the same journey for the same reasons.
Many pilgrims attended the Feast in Jerusalem.
It was common for the children to gather together as the caravan began and Jesus was not missed.
Joseph and Mary were so sure of these things, that they did not look for Jesus until nightfall and they did not find Him.
When they did not find Him then at daylight they returned to Jerusalem.
It had been 3 days to find Jesus because Joseph and Mary had traveled a full day, it took a full day to return and it was on the 3rd day when they found Jesus at the Temple.
We see that even as a child, Jesus was in the midst of other people!
Jesus is in the midst wherever, 2 or 3 are gathered in His name even today.
And Jesus will stand in the midst of the redeemed when we all get to Heaven.
Rev 5:6 And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.
So, They found Jesus in the Temple, "in His Father's house".
*****Luk 2:46 And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions.
Luk 2:47 And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers.
Those "doctors" would have been the scholars of the Jewish Law. There were many in that day and time but it is very possible that Nicodemus and Gamaliel could have been among this group of men.
Joh 3:10 Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things?
Jesus' knowledge of the Scriptures was surprising to these men of the Jewish Law.
We should understand that it was a custom among these men to hold open classes and discussions so the public could listen and learn.
But such a young man with such knowledge and understanding would have certainly gotten their attention!
The parents of Jesus had been traveling but Jesus had been amongst these scholars for 3 days.
Jesus was making use of every opportunity He had, notice He was both "hearing and asking questions".
The word "astonished meant that they were amazed, overwhelmed, and wondered at His understanding of the Word of God!
We talk a lot about Jesus being our example and we should consider that He was and is our example in all things.
We should understand that we need to take every opportunity to learn the truth of the Word of God!
We should seek the knowledge and understanding of God's Word!
Pro 23:23 Buy the truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding.
Even His parents were amazed at what they saw when they found Him!
*****Luk 2:48 And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing.
The term "parents" is an acceptable term because Joseph had adopted Jesus as his own son and had also taught Him many things. Joseph was a carpenter and Jesus was later known as a carpenter.
We should never forget who Jesus is!
Jesus said:
Joh 8:23 And he said unto them, Ye are from beneath; I am from above: ye are of this world; I am not of this world.
Joh 8:24 I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.
Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah, who came to save all those that believe upon Him.
But Jesus is also God and He is always about the business of meeting our needs!
To Mary, Jesus was her son and certainly she was grieving at His absence.
Even Mary had a tendency to forget what the angel Gabriel had said:
Luk 1:31 And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.
Luk 1:32 He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:
Luk 1:33 And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.
BUT, There is absolutely no excuse for us to deny who Jesus is!
*****Luk 2:49 And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business?
Luk 2:50 And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them.
As a boy, we can see that Jesus had already become a deep student of the Scriptures. Jesus had a purpose in seeing what was taught by these scholars of the Bible.
Remember how He has cautioned the world about the Scriptures:
Rev 22:18 For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:
Rev 22:19 And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.
Even in His humanity at the age of 12 Jesus had already began to identify with the purpose He had come into this world!
We must never forget who Jesus is, The Lord God Almighty!
Joseph and Mary did not clearly understand what their young son was saying.
BUT, Jesus clearly understood that He was the Messiah!
Joh 6:38 For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.
Joh 6:39 And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day.
Jesus clearly knew who His Father was!
Jesus was always doing what His Father in Heaven wanted Him to do and His Father in Heaven was always pleased with Him!
Mat 3:17 And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
Jesus did not come to please mankind because we would all send ourselves to Hell as many will still do!
Jesus came to please His Father, because salvation is His Father's plan and God wants us all to be a part of His Salvation Plan!
God has only One Son, His name is Jesus, but God is in the adoption business!
When we know Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, this causes God to adopt each of us as His own child and we than are also placed into the Father's care!
Jesus said:
Joh 5:17 But Jesus answered them, My Father worketh hitherto, and I work.
God is in the saving business!
At this time Mary and Joseph could not understand what it is to be a true servant of God. They like most Jews were bound by the Laws of Moses but God offers true freedom from religious rituals and religious laws.
Joh 8:36 If the Son therefore shall "make" you free, ye shall be free indeed.
Then Jesus returned with His parents.
*****Luk 2:51 And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart.
Even though Jesus is the actual Son of God in accordance with the Triune God, He still obeyed His earthly parents.
It was the will of God that He lead by example!
Jesus set the perfect example of what a child should be toward his parents!
In the Bible the phrase "subject to" is frequently translated "submit to" or "be obedient to".
The Bible says we are to "be subject to one another":
1Pe 5:5 Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.
1Pe 5:6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:
1Pe 5:7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
God expects us to be a humble and caring people!
No doubt that Jesus was well aware of the work He had been sent by His Father to do.
But, it was also the will of His Father to set that example for all men.
It was the will of His Father that He return to Nazareth with His parents, for now was not the time for Him to begin His ministry.
Jesus submitted Himself to His parents and for some 18 years after this incident He lived and worked as a "Carpenter" at Nazareth, with Joseph and Mary whom His Father had chosen to be His earthly parents.
We will also realize that Joseph is not heard from again after this story and it may be that Jesus with His carpentry skills sustained His own family for some period of time.
Mar 6:2 And when the sabbath day was come, he began to teach in the synagogue: and many hearing him were astonished, saying, From whence hath this man these things? and what wisdom is this which is given unto him, that even such mighty works are wrought by his hands?
Mar 6:3 Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended at him.
Mary again kept all these things in her heart.
Mary never boasted about her son. Mary did not discuss these things with her relatives. Mary knew she had a unique son who was destined to do great things for the Lord.
It seems that she knew, that at the right time, God would reveal Him and His salvation plan to the world!
*****Luk 2:52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.
The truth is that Jesus is God and God is omniscient but Jesus the man increased in wisdom and stature.
God cannot increase in wisdom!
Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah, the God-Man.
Jesus was fully God and yet fully man "but had no sin".
It is very hard for us to comprehend just what all this means.
The Bible explains this thing.
Php 2:6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
Php 2:7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
Php 2:8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
Jesus made Himself of no reputation which means that God "emptied Himself".
God set aside all of His "omni" attributes in order to take "the form of a servant"!
In the records of the life and the teachings of Jesus we can see with surety the evidence of His deity, including His own claims and the evidence of His humanity, including the fact that Jesus the man increased in wisdom and grew in stature!
As God:
Joh 11:25 Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:
Joh 11:26 And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?
As man:
Joh 11:35 Jesus wept.
Joh 4:6 Now Jacob's well was there. "Jesus therefore, being wearied with his journey", sat thus on the well: and it was about the sixth hour.
Jesus grew in favor with God and man.
Jesus learned just as all children learn, Jesus just learned perfectly.
Jesus grew just as all children grow, Jesus was a real man, Jesus was not a wimp!
Jesus was strong in the Spirit.
Jesus had the favor of God.
Jesus looked to God in perfect obedience.
Jesus grew in favor with those around Him.
Jesus was friendly, loving, caring, helpful, unselfish, pure, honest, and still humble.
Jesus increased in these things because His goal was that the world would believe on Him and all be saved!
Joh 3:15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.
Joh 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
Joh 3:17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
We must always remember God is much more about the timing of events than He is about time itself!
It was not yet time for Jesus to begin His ministry, just as it is not now quiet time for Jesus to return!
2Pe 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
We can be certain of Christ's Divine abilities!
Questions?
Let's Pray!
