Growing Up with Jesus. Part 1: Firstborn Among Many

Transcription

1 Growing Up with Jesus Part 1: Firstborn Among Many Friends & Fellowship Taught by the Holy Spirit through Wilfred Ju

2 Study Plan Session Date Topic Title 1 June 10 The Coming of God's Anointed 2 June 17 Jesus' Youth 3 June 24 The Start of Jesus' Ministry 4 July 01 Jesus' Compassion & Mercy 5 July 08 Jesus' Authority 6 July 15 Jesus' Zeal for Our Father 7 July 22 Jesus the Blessing for All Peoples For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. (Rom. 8:29, NKJV)

3 Session 2: Jesus' Youth

4 God Confirms His Promise to Abram Witnesses after the birth of Jesus (Session 1) Angels and Heavenly Host (Luke 2:8-14) Shepherds of Bethlehem (Luke 2:15-19) Confirmation of God's Anointed according to the Law (Luke 2:25-38) Confirming the Abrahamic Promise Y e hôvâh ʾĔlôhîym promise in calling Abram Genesis 12:1-3 I will make you a great nation; I will bless you And make your name great; And you shall be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, And I will curse him who curses you; And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.

5 Representing All Peoples Arrival of magi (wise men) from the East Matthew 2:1-8 Note the irony of this passage Wise men of Judea knew the prophecy, but never sought their Messiah a few miles away. Non-Jews from afar traveled months to seek God's Anointed. The Historical Herod Herod's grandfather an Idumean (Edomite), who converted to Judaism So Herod was not a Jew Character attributes by many historical accounts. Absolute loyalty to Rome Excellent political prowess Brutally dictatorial, including killing his own relatives, sons, and favorite wife for opposing him. Magi's question did not sit well with King Herod (Matt. 2:2)

6 The Magi Honor God's Anointed The Magi Follow the Star of Jesus Matthew 2:9-11 The Magi found [Joseph] Mary & Jesus living in a house Magi arrived long after Jesus birth. They brought gifts confirming their belief that Jesus was destined to be King of the Jews They believed this king was very special Why? They followed a very special star all the way to Judea (Matt. 2:2,9-10) Fulfilling God's prophecy through Jeremiah (Jer. 23:5-6) Behold, the days are coming, says Y e hôvâh That I will raise to David a Branch of righteousness; A King shall reign and prosper, And execute judgment and righteousness in the earth. In His days Judah will be saved, And Israel will dwell safely; Now this is His name by which He will be called: Y e hôvâh Our Righteousness.

7 The Protection of Y e hôvâh ʾĔlôhîym Y e hôvâh ʾĔlôhîym Protects His Anointed Cutting the lines of communication Matt. 2:12 Depriving Herod of information regarding who and where the King of the Jews was. Fulfilling Prophecies Matt. 2:13-15 Hos. 11:1 When Israel was a child, I loved him, And out of Egypt I called My son. Matt. 2:19-23 Prophecy does not appear in the Old Testament No mention of Nazareth in the Old Testament One possible explanation Reference to prophecy of the Branch: NZR ) (בצד [Strong 5342] Isaiah (Isa. 11:1)

8 Jesus Grows Up Luke 2:40-52 A Precocious 12 year old? A Comedy of Errors Joseph & Mary misplace the Son of God Jesus missing 3 5 days 1 day out Jerusalem 1 day back 1 day searching 1 day out Jerusalem 1 day back 3 day searching After searching fruitlessly for 3 days, it finally occurs to Joseph and Mary to go to the Temple for help and they find Jesus.

9 A Precocious 12 year old? Interaction between parents and Jesus What was Jesus doing in the Temple? Mary's emotional outburst (the case for 3-days of fruitless searching): Son, why have You done this to us? Look, Your father and I have sought You anxiously. (Luke 2:48b) Jesus' response: equivalent to Where else would I be? Table Discussion: What was Joseph's reaction to finding Jesus in the Temple learning from teachers? From what kind of teachers was Jesus learning? Assuming Jesus had been in the Temple 3 5 days, where did he sleep and eat?

10 A Precocious 12 year old? Interaction between parents and Jesus What was Jesus doing in the Temple? Mary's emotional outburst (the case for 3-days of fruitless searching): Son, why have You done this to us? Look, Your father and I have sought You anxiously. (Luke 2:48b) Jesus' response: equivalent to Where else would I be? Table Discussion: What was Joseph's reaction to finding Jesus in the Temple learning from teachers? My best guess is that Joseph was torn between anger and a mixed feeling of hope and pride. Hope that Jesus would advance in a career far superior to his (Joseph's) own, i.e. becoming a rabbi. From what kind of teachers was Jesus learning? Most likely Bet Midrash Teachers, or even Rabbis. Assuming Jesus had been in the Temple 3 5 days, where did he sleep and eat? Somewhere in or around the Temple, possibly with other Bet Midrash students

11 A Precocious 12 year old? Key to Jesus' Behavior And when He was twelve years old,... (Luke 2:43a) What rite do Jews celebrate when a boy turns 12? The Jewish Educational System Bet Sefer Boys and girls would attend local school at synagogue Age: 5 or 6 to 12 or 13 Memorize the Torah (5 books of Moses) Boys reach years of age Graduation: Bar Mitzvah Boys took exam to test their knowledge Rabbinic community would then determine who was worthy to go to the next level Vast majority of boys left to learn father's trade Girls' education ended with Bet Sefer.

12 A Precocious 12 year old? The Jewish Educational System Bet Midrash Boys Age: years old Maybe 10% of Bet Sefer male students Studied the Tanakh our Old Testament Torah Job Psalms Ecclesiastes & Song of Solomon Proverbs Prophets Studied Rabbinic commentaries It's not clear from the references, but the wash out rate was probably very high. One reference notes the vast majority of Jesus disciples and followers did not make it through Bet Midrash At the end most returned home to continue father's trade Cream of the crop were encouraged to try for the ultimate education Bet Talmud.

13 A Precocious 12 year old? So What Was Jesus Really Doing? Jesus completed Bet Sefer. And all who heard Him were astonished at His understanding and answers. (Luke 2:43) Implications: Jesus had done exceedingly well on the Bet Sefer exams. Alternately, Jesus was being examined to qualify for Bet Midrash. The Teachers may have taught at a Bet Midrash in Jerusalem Jesus was eager to start Bet Midrash.

14 Appendices

15 References 1. HEROD I. (surnamed the Great), Joseph Jacobs, Isaac Broydé, Jewish Encyclopedia, 2. Recent Scholarship Dating Herod's Death Matches Christian Texts about Jesus' Birth, G. W. Thielman, The Federalist, December 20, 2017, 3. Herod the Great, Professor Isaiah Gafni, My Jewish Learning, 4. Archelaus, Richard Gottheil & Louis Ginzberg, Jewish Encyclopedia, 5. Herod Archelaus, Wikipedia, 6. Antipas (Herod Antipas), William Milwitzky, Jewish Encyclopedia, 7. Herodian Dynasty, Wikipedia, 8. Augustus, History,

16 References 9 Augustus, Joshua J. Mark, Ancient History Encyclopedia, May 4, 2018, 10 Did the OT prophesy Jesus coming from Nazareth?, Matt Slick, Christian Apologetics and Research Ministry, 11 Where in the Old Testament does it say Jesus will be called a Nazarene? (Matthew 2:23), BibleQ (Bible Question and Answers) 12 Was Matthew Mistaken in the 'Nazarene' Prophecy?, Wayne Jackson, Christian Courier, 13 Discipleship vs. Talmidim, Dan Stolebarger, Koinonia House, 11/05/2005, 14 Follow the Rabbi, Sermon by Brian Newman, Jacksonville Chapel, NJ 15 Bet Ha-Midrash, Marcus Jastrow, Kaufmann Kohler, Jewish Encyclopedia

17 Timeline Around the Birth of Jesus Identification of Jesus' birth through historical people and events. Luke: Augustus Caesar, Cyrinius & Census Matthew: Herod last years Archelaus short rule.

18 Some Thoughts Regarding Nazareth Nazareth was despised by the Jews, as it was occupied by a Roman garrison Nazareth was 40 miles from Capernaum, a center for Rabbinic learning. Nazarene figure of the despised Messiah (see: Psa. 22:6-8,13; 69:8,20-21; Isa. 11:1; 49:7; 53:2-3,8; Dan. 9:26)

19 Torah Navi (Prophets) Ketuvim (Writings) The TaNaKh Joshua I Samuel Twelve Prophets Judges II Samuel * Hosea * Jonah * Zephaniah Isaiah I Kings * Joel * Micah * Haggai Jeremiah II Kings * Amos * Nahum * Zechariah Ezekiel * Obadiah * Habakkuk * Malachi Psalms Song of Songs Ecclesiastes Ezra I Chronicles Proverbs Ruth Esther Nehemiah II Chronicles Job Lamentations Daniel The same as our 39 OT books! The Jewish count is 24; they combine the 12 minor prophets, and Samuel, Kings, Chronicles, and Ezra-Nehemiah.