I Must Be In My Father’s House (Luke 2:41-52)

Introduction

• In the temple: Transitions from events when Jesus was 40d/o to an event that took place 12yrs later.

Read Luke 2:41-52

• How do Jesus’ human and divine nature work?
• Apocryphal gospels:
  1. Jesus molds clay doves and brings them to life.
  2. Jesus zaps some kids who were tormenting him.
• Luke emphasizes his human nature: Jesus had to study. Develops understanding of God’s Word through interaction.
• Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man.
• Jesus Matured Through Obedience…
  1. to the Law (41-45)
  2. to His Father (46-47)
  3. to His Parents (48-52)

Jesus Matured Through Obedience to the Law (41-45)

• 41 Parents make annual pilgrimage to Jerusalem, 3 days journey, to celebrate Passover. Not required of women.
• 42 Passover was largest annual pilgrimage feast (Pentecost, Tabernacles).
  • Jerusalem Population increased from 25,000 to 100,000.
  • Jewish boys to attended 1-2yrs before Bar Mitzvah (13y/o). Probably Jesus’ 1x.
  • Possibly traveled according to gender. Easy to hide in such a large caravan. Close-knit and safe community.
• Passover: Ram’s horn, Joseph slaughters lamb, priests collect blood to douse the altar, choir of Levites singing Psalms 113-118, Joseph dresses lamb, slung over shoulder.
• 43-45 Jesus stayed, parents journey 1 day out + 1 day back + 1 day searching. Remember, Jesus was a perfect child. He never deliberately disobeyed his parents. Probably never “lost” him.
• Lost Child: Thatcher at Costco, frantic search.
• Imagine the horror of losing the Son of God!

Jesus matured through celebrating Passover…

Jesus Matured Through Obedience to His Father (46-47)

• They found him sitting with the teachers listening and asking questions and amazing everyone with his own answers and understanding.
• Jesus (12y/o) grasping Scripture, learning through dialogue, inquiring.
• He doesn’t “tap into” divine nature and download the knowledge. He must study like everyone else, struggle to retain everything.
• “Amazed” is also translated “out of his mind” (Mk. 3:21) when his family seized him. Not necessarily a positive response.
• The teachers and parents were amazed/astonished by this child. Not only would he mature in his knowledge to surpass the wisdom of his teachers, he would also come to understand how his own life and death would fulfill these prophecies.
• Lessons:
  • Church: Priority of teaching Word (not just in service).
  • Children: Learn from Jesus’ example.
  • Parents: Don’t underestimate children’s capacity.
  • Christians: Biological and spiritual families. Tensions that result.

Obedience to Law, His Father…

Jesus Matured Through Obedience to His Parents (48-52)

• 48 Mary is astonished that Jesus would cause them such distress. “Astonished” = To be struck, like receiving a gut punch. 1x she felt she would need to discipline Jesus? Troubled by the thought.
• “Great distress” – Anguish (rich man), sorrow (Paul’s goodbye to Ephesian elders).
• 49 But Jesus’ response clearly shows a transition is beginning to take place in his heart as he matures. His earliest recorded words were “I must be in my Father’s house.” Mary speaks of his earthly father, while Jesus speaks of his heavenly Father.
• 50 This is a unique experience for Mary and Joseph which is why they don’t understand his response to them.
• 51 Once again we find Mary “treasuring” these things in her heart (cf. 2:19).
• 52 & 40 Bookend an important event in the life of Jesus. He’s thinking more clearly about ministry, which begins 18yrs later.

In…

Conclusion

• Jesus matures like all children mature, except without sin. He perfectly obeyed the law, his Heavenly Father, and his parents.
• Christ’s knowledge increased gradually. He did not have a comprehensive knowledge. Instead, he walked by faith and hope.

Bavinck Naturally, faith for Christ was not, as it is for us, trust in the grace and mercy of God, for this feature is something faith only obtained as a result of the state of sin in which we find ourselves. By nature, faith for Adam and Christ was nothing other than the act of clinging to the word and promises of God, a holding on to the Invisible One… In the case of Christ, that faith and that hope were not wavering and hesitant but firm and strong.

• Jesus knew he was the bearer of a unique role. He’s already beginning to identify himself as the Messiah (“Son of God”). His faith will only increase from this point forward.
• It is because of Christ’s perfect obedience, his unwavering faith, that our imperfect faith is made acceptable.