Luke 2:39 (NKJV) 39 So when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own city, Nazareth.

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1 Introduction I am calling this message The Wonder Years of the Child Jesus. The early years of Jesus are shrouded in mystery. What little information we have is restricted to this passage of Scripture and passages in Matthew s gospel. In Matthew s gospel we learn about Joseph and Mary s return to Bethlehem where they are visited by the Magi (Matt.2:1-12). We are also told about their flight into Egypt (Matt.2:13-15); and of Herod s slaughter of the children (Matt.2:16-18). Matthew speaks of the threat of Archaleus the son of Herod the Great (Matt.2:19-22). What can we know about the childhood of Jesus? Why does the Holy Spirit restrict this information? Can we trust non-biblical sources about the childhood of Jesus? It is easy to get lost in a sea of questions. We are better off to take the limited information we do have and see how we can apply it to our lives as parents of children and if we are a child, to see how we can apply it to our lives. One thing is for sure Jesus knew he had a special relationship, a unique relationship with God by the age of twelve. I suspect Jesus knew his identity, mission and destiny from an early age. How old were you when you discovered who you really are? The Child s Growth (vv.39-40) Luke 2:39 (NKJV) 39 So when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own city, Nazareth. Two things are noteworthy about this single verse. Jesus was led by his parents to fulfill all law. Jesus grew up in Nazareth. Matthew 5:17 (NKJV) 17 Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. Romans 8:3 (NKJV) 3 For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh, Jesus kept the Law, and was the perfect man. Jesus was completely righteous, ideal, the pattern for all human beings to follow. God did not just give us a set of laws, principles, letters, instructions, God gave us a person, a perfect human being, a model to follow and imitate. We follow Jesus. We look to Jesus and not the Law to fulfill all righteousness. That does not mean we ignore the Law, or its appropriate meaning and function. In order to fulfill the Law, Jesus had to keep the law and every observance of the Law. Matthew 3:15 (NKJV) 15 But Jesus answered and said to him, Permit it to be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness. Then he allowed Him. 1

2 Jesus did what none of us could do he fulfilled all righteousness. By keeping all the Law, he was perfectly righteous, in his life, in his death and in his resurrection. Because God is pleased with the perfect life of Jesus, God can be pleased with you, because Jesus offers His perfect life in exchange for you imperfect life. Jesus grew up in Nazareth. Is that important? Does it matter where you are raised? Does it make a difference if you grow up in a big city, or a small city? Does it matter if you grow up rich or poor? Let me tell you something about Nazareth. It was an obscure place, despised, ridiculed, mocked and lampooned even in the Bible! In John s gospel Philip told Nathanael the Messiah was from Nazareth, not Jerusalem, not Tarsus, not Alexandria, not Antioch. Can anything good come out of Nazareth? (John 1:46). Nazareth is every obscure place you have ever heard of T-shirt Nebraska. Limon, Colorado. Hesperia, California. Nazareth was a humiliating place to grow up. Perhaps it was the perfect place for God s messiah. Jesus was born in a stable and raised in Nowhere Judea. Jesus identified with people who were born in poverty, obscurity, from the very start Jesus made himself of no reputation (Phil.2:7). There were many men with the name Jesus. But he would be known as Jesus of Nazareth, and his followers were called Nazarenes. His enemies used the name scornfully, and Pilate even hung it on the cross (Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews). But Jesus was not ashamed to identify himself from heaven when he spoke to Saul (Acts 22:8) I am Jesus of Nazareth Luke 2:40 (NKJV) 40 And the Child grew and became strong in spirit, filled with wisdom; and the grace of God was upon Him. There is a tension in the text. Jesus grew up a normal child. But what is normal? Jesus grew up, but he is an extraordinary child. The Old King James says, he waxed strong ekrataiouto in spirit. He grew up; the idea is a vigorous growth. He did not just grow in wisdom, he was filled with wisdom, pleroumenon sophiai how can I put this simply? Jesus grew perfectly in every stage of his young childhood, he grew physically as well as a human body can grow (perfectly well and happy). He waxed strong in spirit, as strong as a child could grow, he was filled with wisdom as much as a child can be filled with wisdom! Jesus grew filled perfectly will all the qualities that fill a child! How can a perfect Jesus relate to an imperfect you? Think for a moment. Jesus was born to an unwed mother (Mt.1:18-19). Jesus was born in a feeding trough, in the worst conditions imaginable (Luke 2:7). Jesus was born to poor parents (Luke 2:24). Jesus had his life threatened as a baby (Mt. 2:13). Jesus was the cause of unimaginable sorrow Herod had hundreds, perhaps thousands of children slaughtered, because of the threat of a baby king (Matt. 2:16). Jesus had to move from place to place to avoid detection and 2

3 execution (Matt. 2:13). Jesus was raised in a despised place, Nazareth (Luke 2:39). Jesus earthly adopted father died probably during his youth (see Mt. 13:53-58). The responsibility to support his mother, his brothers and sisters fell on His head (Matt. 8:20; Luke 9:58). Jesus as an adult had no real home, having no place to rest his head (Mt.8:20; Luke 9:58). Jesus was hated and opposed by religious leaders, he was misunderstood by his own family, he was charged with being mentally ill insane (Mk.3:21) and even accused of being demonically possessed (Mk. 3:22). Can you imagine being hated, rejected, opposed by listeners, betrayed by a close friend, left alone, rejected, forsaken, by all your friends? Can you imagine going to court accused of a crime you never committed, or having to stand before the Supreme Court of your own country, charged with treason and ordered executed? Can you imagine sitting in a prison cell, with the death penalty hanging over your head, and the cruelest death imaginable, not hanging, not a firing squad, not a beheading, or a lethal injection, but you will be crucified? Note each of these experiences plumbs the depths of sorrow and humiliation! Can you imagine growing up playing with your friends, your brothers, and knowing exactly where life will lead? The Child s Greatness (vv.41-52) Luke 2:41 (NKJV) 41 His parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover. I can just imagine Luke interviewing Mary for this gospel. Tell me an interesting story about Jesus childhood! There are several important things about this story from Jesus childhood. Number one, it is the only reliable story we have about his childhood. Two the story provides the first known time that Jesus claims to be the Messiah. The lessons in this passage are inexhaustible, but let me give you a few as time permits. 1. The young Jesus faithfulness in worship (vv.41-42) 2. Jesus social development was like other young men (vv.43-45). 3. His knowledge was extraordinary and surprising (vv.46-47). 4. His mission was misunderstood by his parents. 5. His first know recognition of Messianic mission was at an early age (vv.49-50). 6. His obedience to His parents was impressive (v.51). 7. His growth was in favor with both God and man (v.52). Worship In The Life Of A Child Luke 2:42 (NKJV) 42 And when He was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem according to the custom of the feast. 3

4 All male Jews who lived within twenty miles of Jerusalem were required by law to attend the temple three times a year; at Passover, Pentecost and the Feast of Tabernacles (see Ex.23:14-17). Women were exempt from the law but they could attend if they wished. In verse 41 it says, His parents went to Jerusalem. They both went. They were faithful in their worship, by choice not by compulsion and they were consistent. Look at verse 42, according to the custom of the feast. Jesus parents taught him, and led him to be faithful in worship. What a lesson for parents. Proverbs 22:6 (NKJV) 6 Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it. The book of Proverbs also states, a child left to himself brings shame to his mother (Prov.29:15). These verses clearly tell us two things: every child needs training and the presence, absence, and effectiveness of childhood training yields long term results (Chuck Smith in his forward to Skip Heitzig s book The House That God Builds; xi). (v.42) and when He was twelve years old This was a special birthday for every Jewish boy. When a Jewish boy reached 13 years of age, he became what was known as a son of the law-which meant that he was now considered a man and was expected to keep all the law. The rabbis suggested boys be brought to the Passover Feast a year or two early so that young men might become familiar with the Temple and the Feasts. When a young man eleven or twelve showed up they were given special consideration, instruction, attention. Parents have the responsibility to teach their children, to lead their children, to direct their children, in the things of God, Every child should be taught from an early age to love the Lord, to know Jesus, to value the Word of God, to Worship the Lord. Deuteronomy 6:7 (NKJV) 7 You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. Community In The Life of the Child Luke 2:43-45 (NKJV) 43 When they had finished the days, as they returned, the Boy Jesus lingered behind in Jerusalem. And Joseph and His mother did not know it; 44 but supposing Him to have been in the company, they went a day s journey, and sought Him among their relatives and acquaintances. 45 So when they did not find Him, they returned to Jerusalem, seeking Him. How could their parents not know where the boy was? Get a life. The parents had completed their worship obligations and were returning home to Nazareth. The parents thought what you think! My child is playing, socializing, hanging out with his friends! Does that shock you or disturb you? Does it shock you or disturb you that 4

5 for all intents and purposes, Jesus looked like a normal child, acted like a normal child, yet did not sin! Caravans were large and the roads were packed with pilgrims. People did not car-pool in Jesus day! They walked! I suspect Jesus hung out with the rest of the kids, and the fact that his parents believed Jesus with one of the other families, did not at first cause them alarm. Luke 2:46-47 (NKJV) 46 Now so it was that after three days they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both listening to them and asking them questions. 47 And all who heard Him were astonished at His understanding and answers. One day went by before they realized Jesus was gone. It took another day to go back to Jerusalem. It took another day to find Jesus! The old King James translates this; they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions. The text does not tell us which doctors or teachers but let me tell you who some of the prominent and influential teachers may have been there; Gamaliel, the great teacher of Saul of Tarsus. Hillel one of the most revered liberal teachers with a large school of followers, Shammai, one of the most respected conservative teachers who also had a school, Jonathan, who paraphrased the sacred books. Simeon, who was to later succeed Hillel, Our friend Nicodemus, the teacher of Israel, respected and admired by his peers. Jesus in Jerusalem, just for a few days, exposed to Israel s greatest teachers. Look carefully at the text, he was both listening to them and asking them questions. He was hearing (akouonta) what the teachers said, he listened closely attentively. He was asking them questions. He wanted answers, more understanding. The young Jesus had a thirst for understanding and knowledge and truth and he aggressively sought it. He answered their questions. This exchanged revealed a depth of understanding, so much so that it astonished the teachers, the doctors of the law. The word astonished (existanto de) means amazed, overwhelmed, outside oneself modern translation blown away! Psalm 119: (NKJV) 99 I have more understanding than all my teachers, For Your testimonies are my meditation. 100 I understand more than the ancients, Because I keep Your precepts. Luke 2:48 (NKJV) 48 So when they saw Him, they were amazed; and His mother said to Him, Son, why have You done this to us? Look, Your father and I have sought You anxiously. 5

6 Mary rebukes her son (mild or moderate you be the judge). She is anxious, distressed, disturbed, worried, troubled, uneasy! Jesus mission was misunderstood by His parents. Mary has forgotten at least for a brief moment who Jesus is; do not be mistaken, Jesus parents were able to teach, discipline and direct him But He was now a young man by law, and He was where He should be, going about His Father s business. We should take this to heart. Do we sometimes freak out, allow some disturbance to cause us to forget who Jesus is? We must never forget Jesus, we must understand and accept His understanding of any situation as He is busy ministering to our needs. Luke 2:49-50 (NKJV) 49 And He said to them, Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father s business? 50 But they did not understand the statement which He spoke to them. How much does Jesus know about his messianic identity? He knows he is the unique Son of God. Joseph is standing right there yet he calls God His Father. Jesus understands He has a unique relationship with God the Father. Jesus has a relationship with God unlike any other child God was His Father and He was the Son of God, the unique son, in the sense that He alone had been begotten of the Father. Jesus told His mother that His Father had been looking after Him. He had been about his Father s business, doing what His Father wanted Him to do; therefore he was under His Father s careful, watchful eye. Jesus had work to do even if that work was misunderstood by others. Every person is to serve God first, even if the work is not understood and it is often not understood. We must be faithful to God and His call even if we are misunderstood and opposed. Conclusion Luke 2:51 (NKJV) 51 Then He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was subject to them, but His mother kept all these things in her heart. Jesus sets the perfect example of obedience. Jesus obeys his parents despite the fact that Joseph was not His true biological father; that Jesus was stronger in spirit, filled with wisdom, and God was His Father! Ephesians 6:1-3 (NKJV) 1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2 Honor your father and mother, which is the first commandment with promise: 3 that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth. Luke 2:52 (NKJV) 52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men. An obedient, submissive spirit is the key to experiencing proper spiritual growth growth in favor with God and man. We must submit to God in proper Biblical terms. 6

7 An obedient, submissive spirit like Jesus comes from knowing who we are. Jesus understood that he was the Son of God and that God was his Father, and that awareness produced profound submission to God and man. 1 Jn. 3:2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God. The awareness of being a child of God makes us want to obey him and empowers us to submit to others for his glory. When you discover your identity, when you really know who you are, you can submit to God and proper human relations. 7