A New Year's Message

December 30, 2007

Read Luke 2:39-52

V39-43

• Jesus experienced all the normal growth developments of life. This allows Him to sympathize with us at every stage of life (Hebrews 4:15-16). Jewish custom calls for male children to present themselves at the temple at age 13, where he becomes a son of the law; i.e. bar mitzvah (bar - son of, mitzvah - the law).
• Many parents would bring their sons two years earlier that they may become familiar with temple surroundings. Verse 41 says his parents went every year to the feast. Only Joseph was required to come, not Mary, but she went anyway. This shows what type of woman Mary was; that she wasn’t just satisfied with her husband’s obedience but concerned for her own as well.

V44-50

• According to verse 44 they thought Jesus was with them but He wasn’t. Normally, kids either traveled with other kids or with the men, and the women went ahead and traveled together. So both Joseph and Mary believed Jesus to be with the other. It took a full day before they realized He wasn’t with them.
• Before we get upset with Mary and Joseph, we should remember how easy it is for us to travel a day’s journey, supposing Jesus to be in the company, when actually we have lost contact with Him. Whether that’s through sin, disobedience or lack of fellowship, we are not aware of His absence. Question: How long would it take before you would notice?
• As we see in verse 45, in order to reestablish contact one must retrace their steps to the place where fellowship was broken, and then do whatever’s necessary to restore it (Proverbs 28:13).
• Verse 46 says they looked for a full day before realizing they had lost Him in the temple. You would think that would have been the first place they looked, with Him being the Messiah and all. But apparently the temple was the last place they thought He would be. You know many have lost Jesus in religious activity and tradition before understanding that it’s not in the things you do but to whom you’re bringing the glory to.
• In verse 47 we see the first contact the religious leaders have with Jesus. And notice it’s not when He was a full grown man, but in the form of a less intimidating child. Instead of seeking to kill Him they’re amazed at His wisdom and understanding. Notice Jesus listened before it says He asked or spoke anything.
• Mary comes on the scene, and in typical mom fashion, rebukes Him for causing Joseph and her to worry. Jesus reminds her, subtly, that Joseph is not His father but God is, and even at age 12 He knew what His mission was (Colossians 3:1-2). Jesus could have gotten caught up in the nerve of Mary correcting Him and putting Joseph as His father but He stayed the course, which reminded both Mary and Joseph that this was spiritual.

V51-52

• Parents, if Jesus the creator of the universe, being sinless, can be respectful of his sinful parents, so can your kids. They have no excuse not to honor you.
• Here’s the second time we’re told about His natural growth (v52)...
  1. He grew in wisdom - mentally-emotionally
  2. His stature - physically
  3. He had favor with God - spiritually
  4. He had favor with men - socially