Thesis: To teach and impress the fact upon the hearer that to whose business you attend, his children you are, there is no middle ground (Mt 12:30).
Text: Lk 2:41-52
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 according to custom (of the feast).
Luk 2:43 And when the feast was ended, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents did not know it,
Luk 2:44 but supposing him to be in the group they went a day's journey, but then they began to search for him among their relatives and acquaintances,
Luk 2:45 and when they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem, searching for him.
Luk 2:46 After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions.
Luk 2:47 And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers.
Luk 2:48 And when his parents saw him, they were astonished. And his mother said to him, "Son, why have you treated us so? Behold, your father and I have been searching for you in great distress."
Luk 2:49 And he said to them, "Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be (about my Father's business? KJV) in my Father's house?” (Gr. in the things of my Father)
Luk 2:50 And they did not understand the saying that he spoke to them.
Luk 2:51 And he went down with them and came to Nazareth and was submissive to them. And his mother treasured up all these things in her heart.
Luk 2:52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man.
Introduction,
In this passage we have one of the few accounts of our Lord’s childhood.
He and His parents went to Jerusalem to attend the feast of the Passover.
After the earthly parents of Christ had fulfilled their duties unto God they began the trip home, and discovered that their Son was not with, thus they went back to find Him.
After searching for 3 days they found him in the temple “about His Father’s business”. We also need to be about our heavenly Father’s business (lit. “in the things of our Father”).
In this lesson we will look at the Father’s business (things) from a 3-fold perspective.
1) The call to the Father’s business
2) The training of the Father’s business
3) The work of the Father’s business
1. THE CALL TO THE FATHER’S BUSINESS (v 41-44)
A. (v 41)
Luk 2:41 Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover.
Note that Jesus’ parents went up “every year” to Jerusalem at the feast of the Passover.
1. Under the Law of Moses all the males were required to attend the 3 major feasts each year at Jerusalem (Passover, Pentecost, Feast of Tabernacles; Deut 16:16-17). Women also were allowed to attend (1 Sam 1:7, 22, 24). We can also conclude that they attended the other two required feasts, they merely are not mentioned in out text.
a. Some would have to travel great distances, at great expense, and seemingly great inconvenience, as seen in the case of the Ethiopian eunuch (Acts 8:27).
b. He traveled by chariot approximately 1,500 miles one way, a 3,000 miles round trip, three times a year for a total of 9,000 miles, and this was not by jet, but by beast.
2. Today we as Christians are commanded by God to assemble together (Heb 10:25) . . .
Heb 10:25 not forsaking our own assembling together, as the custom of some is, but exhorting one another; and so much the more, as ye see the day drawing nigh. (ASV)
Heb 10:25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.
a. We also learn that this is to take place upon the 1st day of the week (Acts 20:7; 1 Cor 16:1-2; Sunday) for the observance of the Lord’s Supper (“this do”; Luke 22:19; 1 Cor 11:24-26; Acts 20:7), and to give as we have been prospered, laying up in the treasury, taking up a collection for needy saints (1 Cor 16:1-2).
b. We pray (1 Tim 2:1-2), sing (1 Cor 14:15) and study God's word (1 Tim 4:13) at that time also.
c. Also the elders of the congregation, (and if there are no qualified men for the eldership then the congregation itself may decide; Acts 6:5) to appoint other days during the week in order to meet together and worship God in Spirit and truth (for house teaching sessions; Acts 20:20) if seen fit.
d. Our coming together helps us with our Christian growth (1 Pet 2:2; 2 Pet 3:18), which is referred to as the renewal (Tit 3:5) through which we are day by day (2 Cor 4:16) being transformed back into the image of God (Rom 12:2; Col 3:10), that image we lost when we became accountable, loved the things of the world and followed after the god of this world (2 Cor 4:4) instead of the God of heaven (Rom 3:23).
1Pe 2:2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere (pure) milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:
Tit 3:5 not by works done in righteousness, which we did ourselves, but according to his mercy he saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit,
2Co 4:16 So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day.
Rom 12:2 And be not fashioned according (conformed) to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, and ye may prove what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
Col 3:10 and have put on the new man, that is being renewed unto knowledge after the image of him that created him:
3. But many who profess to follow Christ do not desire to be involved in the things of God on the 1st day of the week (Sunday) or on any day, offering up a number of excuses or reasons.
a. But when we look at the case of the eunuch with his 3,000 mile round trip via chariot, 3 times a year, who could not even enter into the assembly (Deut 23:1), we should not think that any complaints or excuses are viable, for they (Jews, proselytes and God fearers) not only made theses trips but also attended the local synagogues every Sabbath (Saturday), where they looked for the crumbs that fell from the Masters table in order to be fed from the word, that sword of the Spirit.
b. Christ said when comparing His Law with the Law of Moses (look at Mt 11:28-30).
Mat 11:28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Mat 11:29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
Mat 11:30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."
c. The Lord here refers primarily to the Jews who were heavy laden with the Law of Moses with the over 1,000 traditions of men added to it (though we should apply it to the weight of sin), yet the Law was a heavy burden by itself, even without those additions.
d. There were 10 commandments, 613 explicit ordinances which had to be followed to the tee, which included 3 mandatory feast days, thus extended travel away from one’s home for a good part of each year.
e. There were continual sacrifices that were a continual reminder of sins, a distinction in members that kept many afar off in many of the intimate services of God (e.g. only one priest, the high priest could go into the Most Holy Place, where the presence of God dwelt, and then only once a year; Jewish men and women and Gentiles were all separated; the Jewish men were the closest to the services).
f. There were 15 laws that when broken, resulted in death in one’s sin, therefore that person was consigned to eternal damnation.
g. Also when the majority of God’s people succumbed to sin, oftentimes all were subject to punishment (plagues, captivities, etc.), not just the guilty, this is the yoke that they could not bear (as spoken of in Acts 15:10).
h. Compared to the Law of Moses there is great liberty to those that are partakers of the Law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus (John 8:31-32).
Joh 8:31 So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, "If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples,
Joh 8:32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."
B. (v 42)
Luk 2:42 And when he was twelve years old, they went up according to custom (of the feast).
At this particular time when they attended the Passover Jesus was 12 years old.
1. At the age of 12 a Jewish boy was expected to start being observing the Law as any other adult Jewish male (bar-mitzvah; i.e. “son of – the Law”)
a. Before this time preparation was made in order that he would be able to fast on the Day of Atonement, (as required by the Law) and no doubt other preparations were made in order that he may be ready and able to fulfill all of God's will concerning the Law of Moses.
b. When we believe in the gospel of Christ, we also are expected to fulfill God’s will concerning that Perfect law, the Law of Liberty (Ja 1:25), the Law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus (Rom 8:2), yet God wants it to be in our hearts (Heb 8:10), He wants us to desire to do it willingly (Rev 22:17), not as something forced upon us (Rom 6:14).
c. Thus likened unto this Jewish tradition at times a person first becomes a disciple (a learner) in order that he or she may learn, and thus be willing, ready and able to do the will of the Father.
d. Then when, they have counted the costs (Luke 14:33), and are ready, they are baptized into Christ (Rom 6:3; Gal 3:27), for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38), being from then on dead to themselves and sin, and alive unto God (Rom 6:1-11).
e. Yet, let us keep in mind, that when a person first enters into the “process” of “being saved” (Lk 13:23; Acts 2:47; 1 Cor 1:18; 15:2; 2 Cor 2:15) at belief, this is the point when the process of salvation begins (Jn 5:24),
Joh 5:24 Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.
f. This “process” is also depicted in Matthew’s and Mark’s accounts of the great commission (look at Mt 28:19-20, Mk 16:15-16) . . .
Mat 28:19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in(to) the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
Mat 28:20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age."
Mar 16:15 And he said to them, "Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.
Mar 16:16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.
g. One hears the gospel, believes, learns, is baptized, and continues to learn. There is a lot of learning going on in the Christian Faith, Jesus says (Jn 6:45) . . .
Joh 6:45 It is written in the Prophets, 'And they will all be taught by God.' Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to me—
h. God teaches us by His Spirit within us, through His word (Eph 6:17), through others (1 Cor 4:15), through circumstances (1 Cor 2:15), all bringing us closer to the likeness of Christ (Col 3:10), Christ in us (Gal 4:19), the hope of glory (Col 1:27).
C. (v 43)
Luk 2:43 And when the feast was ended, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. (But) His parents did not know it,
When Mary and Joseph had fulfilled their duties concerning the feast of Unleavened Bread (the Passover; it lasted 7 days), they started the trip back home, probably in a caravan type situation. But Jesus was still at Jerusalem, yet His parents “did not know it”, thinking He was among the group as usual.
a. Many today when they visit the heavenly Jerusalem (Heb 12:22; first start becoming disciples of Christ); sometimes do this unbeknownst to others, and even family members, for it oftentimes seems hard to make the changes God wants us to make, especially when you think it might bring reproach upon you from others, Jesus tells us this concerning this sort of matter (Mt 5:10-12a) . . .
Mat 5:10 "Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Mat 5:11 "Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account.
Mat 5:12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
D. (v 44)
Luk 2:44 but supposing him to be in the group they went a day's journey, but then they began to search for him among their relatives and acquaintances,
1. They supposed that Jesus was with them, and looked in all the places where they expected to find Him, but He was not found. Why? Because they were looking in the wrong places.
a. Those blinded by Satan towards the things of God (2 Cor 4:4), who look for those who are seeking God, also often look in the wrong places.
b. They suppose to find them in the places that they “used” to inhabit, doing the things they “used” to do (perhaps in a bar, a casino, or some other place where the things of the world are promoted), but God calls His people out of those things (turn to 2 Cor 6:14-7:1. . .
2Co 6:14 Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness?
2Co 6:15 What accord has Christ with Belial? Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever?
2Co 6:16 What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; as God said, "I will make my dwelling among them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
2Co 6:17 Therefore go out from their midst, and be separate from them (be holy), says the Lord, and touch no unclean thing; then I will welcome you,
2Co 6:18 and I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to me, says the Lord Almighty."
2Co 7:1 Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God.
c. Through the gospel, God calls us “out” of worldly ways and “into” His Way (Mt 7:13-14) . . .
Mat 7:13 Enter ye in by the narrow gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many are they that enter in thereby.
Mat 7:14 For narrow is the gate, and straitened (difficult; hard) the way, that leadeth unto life, and few are they that find it.
d. This type of situation is addressed in 1 Pet 4:2-4 (look there) . . .
1Pe 4:2 From now on, then, you must live the rest of your earthly lives controlled by God's will and not by human desires.
1Pe 4:3 You have spent enough time in the past doing what the heathen (unbelieving) like to do. Your lives were spent in indecency, lust, drunkenness, orgies, drinking parties, and the disgusting worship of idols.
1Pe 4:4 And now the heathen (they, the unbelieving) are surprised when you do not join them in the same wild and reckless living, and so they insult you. (GNB)
Pe 4:2 so as to live for the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for human passions but for the will of God.
1Pe 4:3 For the time that is past suffices for doing what the Gentiles want to do, living in sensuality, passions, drunkenness, orgies, drinking parties, and lawless idolatry.
1Pe 4:4 With respect to this they are surprised when you do not join them in the same flood of debauchery, and they malign you; (ESV)
e. Again, why are we not there? In these things of the world? Because we have been called out of the world of sin and darkness, and into the marvelous light of God through the gospel (2 Thess 2:14; 1 Pet 2:9).
2Th 2:14 To this he called you through our gospel, so that you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
1Pe 2:9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.
f. This is a calling that comes from Heaven (Heb 3:1),
Heb 3:1 Therefore, holy brothers, you who share in a heavenly calling, consider Jesus, the apostle and high priest of our confession,
g. This calling is a call to be holy, like God is holy (1 Pet 1:15-16) . . .
1Pe 1:15 but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct,
1Pe 1:16 since it is written, "You shall be holy, for I am holy."
h. By His HOLY Spirit, through God’s word, working within us (Jn 6:63; Eph 6:17; Heb 4:12).
i. And why do many who seek not God “speak evil of you” “malign you” “insult you” (1 Pet 4:4) when changes start taking place in our lives?
j. Because that light (the gospel), that which calls one to the Father’s business (being holy), also at the same time exposes sin, by the “One” Who defines sin, and thus it reveals one’s true status before God, lost, without God and without hope in the world (Eph 2:12), The Lord revealed this truth in (Jn 3:19-20, turn there) . . .
Joh 3:19 And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil.
Joh 3:20 For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed.
h. Yet in this glorious light is everything that you have been searching for, forgiveness, peace, joy, the ability to cast the cares of this world where they need to be (in the hands of God; 1 Pet 5:7), and the living hope of Heaven (1 Pet 1:3-4), where we are now to focus (Col 3:1-4), these are the results of answering “the call to the Father’s business.”
II. THE TRAINING OF THE FATHER’S BUSINESS (v 45-48)
A. (v 45)
Luk 2:45 and when they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem, searching for him.
When Mary and Joseph did not find Jesus within the caravan, they went back to Jerusalem.
1. Keep in mind that Mary and Joseph are devout followers of God, most today when they see that they are losing someone to the Lord, do not go to Mount Zion, the heavenly Jerusalem (Mt 7:13), the church (Heb 12:23, 28), even though that is God's will for them (1 Tim 2:4).
a. In fact many get anxious, defensive, even angry, they do not want to hear even the slightest bit about God, His Son, His Spirit, and His teachings, the Bible.
b. Today this is even more escalated, within modern society it is moving toward outward manifestations of the Christian lifestyle being looked down upon, even considered criminal in more and more instances, people are taking other people to court for their practicing of the Christian Faith publicly, such things as Bible reading, praying, Gospel spreading are bringing about persecutions, civilly and privately, Christian persecutions are higher now in the world than they ever have been. And why? Because the evil now is greater, people are being led by Satan more abundantly, and the darker the evil, the brighter the light of the gospel in contrast.
c. The inspired Paul addresses this 2 fold working of the gospel in 2 Cor 2:15-16a (look there) . . .
2Co 2:15 For we are like a sweet-smelling incense offered by Christ to God, which spreads among those who are being saved and those who are being lost.
2Co 2:16a For those who are being lost, it is a deadly stench that kills; but for those who are being saved, it is a fragrance that brings life. (GW)
d. Thus the gospel opens the good and honest heart, but that same gospel hardens all the more that world hardened heart of stone, therefore people “choose” their response to it, they do this because of the state of their hearts, their inner person, Jesus said in Mt 13:15.
Mat 13:15 For this people's heart is grown calloused, And their ears are dull of hearing, And their eyes they have closed; Lest haply they should perceive with their eyes, And hear with their ears, And understand with their heart, And should turn again, And I should heal them.
e. Satan through the things of the world has done this to them, not “against” their own free will, but “in accordance with” their own will, it is always easier to follow the majority in the broadway of spiritual death, and that’s what most choose (Mt 7:13-14).
f. The cure for these things is to keep our hearts from being exposed to evil. Satan, through the world, through society, through individuals, through the media, through the governments are teaching people ungodly ways and exposing them to ungodly things which slowly but surely harden and corrupt the heart, for it is written (Pro 4:23) . . .
Pro 4:23 Keep your heart with all diligence; For out of it are the issues of life.
g. We need to be very selective to what we expose ourselves to, if God is not openly part of it, in alignment with the Truth (Jn 17:17). give it a chuck, for it is spiritual poison which could cost one their immortal soul, our Lord said (Mt 12:30) . . .
Mat 12:30 Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.
B. (v 46)
Luk 2:46 After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions.
After 3 days of searching, they found the youth Jesus in the temple, among the teachers of the Law, listening to them, and asking them questions.
1. I think it’s strange that the temple was not the first place that Mary and Joseph looked, after all, they both were miraculously given messages concerning Jesus, as being the Christ, the Son of God (Mt 1:20-25; Luke 1:26-38)
This does imply that Jesus was perhaps like most boys His age in many aspects, in that they expected Him to be elsewhere, perhaps enthralled in some youthful game or whatnot, yet He wasn’t.
Some of the most learned teachers of God’s Law lived at this time, Simeon, Hillel, Gamaliel, and it was Jewish custom for teachers to ask questions of those whom they were teaching, to test them, in order to help them better learn.
We as teachers and students of the Bible can look at the methods that were used in that day, and perhaps adapt them to help the learning and thus the spiritual growth of followers of Christ today. The main point though is that we “study” “give diligence” concerning God's word (2 Tim 2:15), using whatever method of learning that seems profitable, for this is one of the ways through which we are “taught of and by God” (Jn 6:45)
C. (v 47)
Luk 2:47 And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers.
Those present were amazed at Jesus’ understanding, and His answers.
1. My opinion is that because the faithfulness of His parents, they taught Him as commanded by the Law of Moses in Deut 6:6-7 . . .
Deu 6:6 And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart.
Deu 6:7 You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.
a. When is it time “not” to be propagating God’s will for our children? NEVER according to this command.
b. A similar command is given us today under Christ (Eph 6:4)
Eph 6:4 Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.
c. Instead of spanking our children for wrong doing, teach them about the spiritual entities that they allow to lead them, the good and the evil, and teach them that it is the Lord Who is over all (Eph 4:6), it is He that spanks them through circumstances, for their good (Heb 12), to keep them out of the ways of the world and in the light of His Way (Mt 7:13-14).
2. I believe that Jesus was as close to any boy His age, as one conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit, could be.
a. He chose, in accordance with God’s plan, to be unaided by His Divine nature (Phili 2:5-8) . . .
Php 2:5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus,
Php 2:6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped,
Php 2:7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.
Php 2:8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.
3. He wasn’t sort of like a man, but became exactly like a man (Heb 2:17).
Heb 2:17 Wherefore it behooved him in all things to be made like unto his brethren, that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. (ASV)
Heb 2:17 Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.
4. The text here plainly teaches that Jesus “grew” in wisdom (v 40, 52), not that He at this time had the infinite wisdom of God. But rather that after He was baptized, the anointing, the power of the Holy Spirit “then” fell upon Him (Mt 3:16; Acts 10:38).
5. We as followers of Christ have to give diligence to present ourselves approved of God (2 Tim 2:15), it takes much time of study and diligent application to live the life that God expects of us, (for it also took us some time and effort to learn and conform to the sinful ways of the world, and its going to take just as much effort to reverse that process), but God is no respecter of persons, He gives all the same help, the Spirit within us which we received at belief (Gal 3:2; Eph 1:13) in conjunction with the living and active, life imparting, word of God (Jn 6:63; Heb 4:12), which is the sword, the instrument of the Spirit (Eph 6:17), being motivated unto obedience by the love of God manifested in the cross of Jesus Christ (Jn 12:32) ,which is giving to us by the same Spirit (Rom 5:5).
D. (v 48a)
Luk 2:48a And when his parents saw him, they were astonished.
When Mary and Joseph saw Jesus they were astonished, a boy of 12 conversing with the some of the most learned men of the Law of Moses.
1. Does this teach that He had extra ordinary mental capabilities?
a. Perhaps, but it does not prove that it was miraculous, that it was not from diligence (2 Tim 2:15), and earnest self application (Ja 1:22). I have no doubt that the Son of God would be above all normal boys His age in the area of effort and self-application.
b. We also need to give earnest heed to that which God has spoken and be imitators of Christ, as commanded in 1 Cor 11:1.
Heb 2:1 Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things that were heard, lest haply we drift away from them.
1Co 11:1 Be ye imitators of me, even as I also am of Christ.
c. This certainly seems to be a hard path to follow, yet we are told as much (Mt 7:14; Luke 9:23; 14:33; 17:10).
Mat 7:14 For narrow is the gate, and straitened (difficult; hard) the way, that leadeth unto life, and few are they that find it.
Luk 9:23 And he said to all, "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.
Luk 14:33 So therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple.
Luk 17:10 So you also, when you have done all that you were commanded, say, 'We are unworthy servants; we have only done what was our duty.'"
Mat 19:25 And when the disciples heard it, they were astonished exceedingly, saying, Who then can be saved?
Mat 19:26 And Jesus looking upon them said to them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.
d. When we receive the Holy Spirit at belief in the gospel (Gal 3:2; Eph 1:13-14), it changes our attitude towards sin and the commands of God, it makes us think more like God, yet we still have to struggle with and against sin, and that will never be easy, but let us not forget the imputed righteousness given us by God (Rom 8:4; 2 Cor 5:21), we are perfected by Jesus, even when we are not, as long as we are trying and acknowledging these truths (walking after the Spirit; Rom 8:4, walking in the light 1Jn 1:7) we are made the righteousness of God in Him (2 Cor 5:21), look at Heb 12:1-4 . . .
Heb 12:1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,
Heb 12:2 looking to Jesus, the founder (author) and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
Heb 12:3 Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.
Heb 12:4 In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood.
E. (v 48b)
Luk 2:48b And his mother said to him, "Son, why have you treated us so? Behold, your father and I have been searching for you in great distress."
Mary said, “why have you treated us so, putting us in great distress?”
1. Remember Jesus is but a 12 year old boy, was “He” accountable for the train of events that took place? Or should “they” have been more careful with the God given oversight of their Child?
a. When we are given responsibilities from God, whether as governmental leaders, police officers, elders, teachers, preachers, parents, or whatever authoritative position, we need to use that authority properly.
b. None of these positions are easy, but we must do the best job possible, and always in line with the Holy Spirit delivered and confirmed word of God. And if something goes wrong, accept the blame, make it right, and do not pass the buck.
c. This has been one of the biggest problems of mankind, to live up to what God states, and if we fall short, then accept the chastening due, and make the appropriate adjustments.
2. Therefore, all of these aspects, listening, asking, learning, studying, applying, accepting responsibilities, chastening, and adjusting are all parts of “the training for the Father’s business”
a. Let us continue in these and thus grow in the grace and knowledge that is in Christ (2 Pet 3:18).
III. THE WORK OF THE FATHER’S BUSINESS (v 49-52)
A. (v 49)
Luk 2:49 And he said to them, "Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be (about my Father's business? KJV) in my Father's house?” (Gr. in the things of my Father)
Jesus basically asks them “why did you have to look for me, didn’t you know what I would be doing?”
1. They knew He was God’s Son, they were both told by angels, Joseph (Mt 1:20) . . .
Mat 1:20 But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.
a. And Mary (Luke 1:30-33). . .
Luk 1:30 And the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.
Luk 1:31 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus.
Luk 1:32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David,
Luk 1:33 and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end."
Luk 1:34 And Mary said to the angel, "How will this be, since I am a virgin?"
Luk 1:35 And the angel answered her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God.
2. Therefore Jesus was born of a woman (only, not a man; Isa 7:14; Mt 1:20-23), born under the Law (Gal 4:4).
a. Not only would He become liable to the things of the Law at 12 years of age, as dictated by Jewish tradition, but also this was the time when Jewish fathers would begin to teach their sons an earthly trade in order that they would not have to resort to begging nor crime in order to be sustained. The father who did not teach his son a trade was considered to be responsible for his son’s almost sure to come, life of reproach.
b. Thus we see Jesus learning His “true” Father’s trade.
c. Let us consider also that for the next 18 years Jesus would be learning His Father’s trade, the redemption of mankind. And then He would be baptized and then anointed with the Holy Spirit immediately after His baptism at 30 years of age (when priests begin their work; Num 4; He is our High Priest; Heb 3:1), empowering Him for this work.
3. We also need to be about our Father’s business, for whose will we do, his children we are, as Jesus teaches in Jn 8:44a . . .
Joh 8:44a You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father's desires.
a. The Lord teaches there is no middle ground (Mt 12:30).
Mat 12:30 Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.
b. If we are not actively serving God according to His will, then, by our neutral position, by not serving Him, we are in fact against Him, teaching by our example to others that this is acceptable behavior, thus children of Satan, promoting his kingdom of darkness, by not walking (living) in the light of the gospel.
4. What is our heavenly Father’s business? The same as His Son’s, Who we are to be imitating (1 Cor 11:1; Lk 19:10; 1 Tim 2:4) . . .
Luk 19:10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost."
1Ti 2:3 This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior,
1Ti 2:4 who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
a. This is done by the church (Christians), in the church, in the kingdom of God.
b. There are 3 main tasks set forth as the work of the church, which is our Father’s business, this is seen in Eph 4:12 (look there) . . .
1) Edification and sanctification (perfecting) of the members
2) Benevolence (ministering, serving)
3) Evangelism (seeking and saving the lost)
Eph 4:12 to equip the saints, for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ,
Eph 4:12 for the perfecting of the saints, unto the work of ministering, unto the building up of the body of Christ:
c. We are empowered for this work by the gospel, that power of God unto salvation (Rom 1:16).
Rom 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.
Rom 1:17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, "The righteous shall live by faith."
d. Miraculous and non-miraculous gifts brought about and established God’s perfect Law of liberty (through revelation and confirmation), the Law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus, which is able to redeem man, and He set in place certain laws (through Christ’s work, the Holy Spirit, in conjunction with the recorded NT) which are able to convict, transform, and save individuals, as the apostle Paul said to the Ephesian elders (Acts 20:32) . . .
Act 20:32 And now I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you the inheritance among all them that are sanctified.
e. This is also seen in Rom 8:2 . . .
Rom 8:2 For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.
B. (v 50)
Luk 2:50 And they did not understand the saying that he spoke to them.
In the original language (Greek), this passage should state, that “they understood not, once in the past,” implying that they later understood, confusion resulted probably because of the worry and confusion caused by the events,
1. For we know that both Mary and Joseph received revelations from God concerning the baby Jesus (Mt 1:20-22; Lk 1:35).
a. And surely they were aware of the Jewish traditions concerning a boy being obliged to the Law, and the learning of a trade at 12 years of age, but again because of the situation, they were confused.
2. Many today who may see us about our Father’s business also might not understand at first, but let us pray and teach, be salt and light, that they might hear, believe, have their eyes opened and obey, unto the life eternal.
C. (v 51a)
Luk 2:51 And he went down with them and came to Nazareth and was submissive (subject) to them.
The reunited family returned back to their home in Nazareth, and Jesus was subject unto them, in other words He was a well behaved son, this incident did not culminate into Him becoming more and more disobedient to His earthly parents.
1. There are far too many children being raised outside of the Lord’s will today, those who are not in subjection to their parents, the word of God says in Eph 6:1-2 . . .
Eph 6:1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.
Eph 6:2 "Honor your father and mother" (this is the first commandment with a promise),
a. Yet today children are told that they stand on equal footing with their parents, this promotes disrespect towards their parents and other authority figures, I have even heard of cases where children actually took their parents to court and sued them for merely doing their parental duties.
b. The failures in not raising our families in alignment to God's will, God’s chains of authority, has brought about the failures that we see today throughout society, and these children are now beginning to choose who will lead this country, and that, further and further away from God’s will, and it will ultimately end up being the demise of this once great God fearing nation, for it is written (Pro 14:34; Ps 127:1) . . .
Pro 14:34 Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people.
Psa 127:1 Unless the LORD builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain.
D. (v 51b)
Luk 2:51b And his mother treasured up all these things in her heart.
There is nothing like a mother’s love and tenderness, without mothers, fathers could not properly do their God given job as the family leader.
1. And without a father’s authority, and firm hand, a mothers love could not see its full meaning,
a. Thus we see how beautifully these two who are joined together by God in marriage, work for the well balanced raising of the child.
E. (v 52)
Luk 2:52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man.
Jesus grew physically and mentally, and He also grew in the favor, (charis), the grace, of God.
1. He lived a perfect life under the Law of Moses (Heb 4:15), unaided by His Divine nature (Phili 2:6-8), therein pleasing, and thus being in the favor, the grace of God.
a. While we may not be able to be perfectly sinless, we also need to grow in wisdom and in the grace of God (2 Pet 3:18), through that life imparting, living and active (Heb 4:12), pure milk of the word (1 Pet 2:2) unto the imitating of Jesus (1 Cor 11:1; Jn 14:6).
b. Striving to be as close to that standard as possible, knowing that Jesus’ perfection covers us when we fall short (Rom 8:4; 2 Cor 5:21).
2. Jesus’ walk in the commandments of God brought him in the favor of men also.
a. We in like manner are commanded to be at peace with others as much as is in our power (Rom 12:18), but not at the expense of disobeying God, when the two differ, we must always obey God rather than men (Acts 4:19; 5:29).
b. Christians will be kind, compassionate, caring and courteous, these traits will bring us favor among most.
c. But when Christian teachings oppose the current practice of society, it is likely to bring conflict from those in and of the world, but that is our lot in our imitating of Jesus, the world hated Him because He said their works were evil (Jn 7:7), the world will hate us when we do the same (Jn 15:19-20).
3. In this manner we also are about our Father’s business, in the things of our Father, presenting ourselves as living sacrifices, holy and acceptable to God, which is our spiritual service (Rom 12:1-2).
a. The only question is who is our true father?
b. Jesus tells us the answer to this in Mt 7:16-20 (turn there) . . .
Mat 7:16 You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?
Mat 7:17 So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit.
Mat 7:18 A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit.
Mat 7:19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.
Mat 7:20 Thus you will recognize them by their fruits.
c. “Fruits” here is plural and refers to “practice”, God’s children “practice” and love doing God’s will, while those of the world, the children of the devil “practice” and love doing unrighteousness, this is clearly seen in 1 Jn 3:4-10 (look there) . . .
1Jn 3:4 Everyone who makes a practice of sinning also practices lawlessness; sin is lawlessness.
1Jn 3:5 You know that he appeared in order to take away sins, and in him there is no sin.
1Jn 3:6 No one who abides in him keeps on sinning; no one who keeps on sinning has either seen him or known him.
1Jn 3:7 Little children, let no one deceive you. Whoever practices righteousness is righteous, as he is righteous.
1Jn 3:8 Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil.
1Jn 3:9 No one born of God makes a practice of sinning, for God's seed (Lk 8:11) abides in him, and he cannot keep on sinning because he has been born of God.
1Jn 3:10 By this it is evident who are the children of God, and who are the children of the devil: whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is the one who does not love his brother.
d. And what is “righteousness”? Is it what society or you or I think is right? No, it is what God “says” is right in Ps 119:172 . . .
Psa 119:172 Let my tongue sing of your word; For all your commandments are righteousness. (NASB)
Conclusion,
1. Those that “hear” the gospel message are “called to” the Father’s business (Rom 10:17; 2 Thess 2:14)
Rom 10:17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.
2Th 2:14 To this he called you through our gospel, so that you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
2. Those that believe in the gospel message are chosen by God through their response (Mt 22:14)
3. Those that are in the process of “being saved” (Lk 13:23; Acts 2:47; 1 Cor 1:18; 15:2; 2 Cor 2:15) who believe unto repentance unto confession unto being baptized, are being fitting for, and are in “the training of” the Father’s business.
3. So then they can get to “the work” of the Father’s business, which is to seek and save that which is lost (Luke 19:10), for God wills that all people be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth (1 Tim 2:4), and He does that through the gospel through us (Mt 28:19-20).