The Spiritual Growth and Wisdom of Jesus

Welcome Prayer Song Silence

The Early Years of Jesus

Luke 2.40-3.1-6
Meat
May 26th 2019

Okay, we left off with verse 40, which said (talking about the infant Jesus):

40 And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.

Let’s continue on from 41 to the end of the chapter, recognizing that the gap or space between verse 40 and 41 is somewhere around 12 years. What happened in those twelve years – verse forty informs us, saying:

And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.

Luke 2:41-52

41 Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the passover. 42 And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast. 43 And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it. 44 But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day's journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance. 45 And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him. 46 And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions. 47 And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers. 48 And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing. 49 And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business? 50 And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them. 51 And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart. 52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.

Annual Pilgrimage to Jerusalem

41 Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the passover. Because these visits were absolutely part of the Law (according to Exodus 23:17) it seems that Joseph and Mary obeyed. Isn’t that amazing, that no matter where you lived as a Jew, three times a year you were required to go to Jerusalem?

Isn’t the focus on that material location fascinating, and isn’t it even more miraculous that after putting the Messiah to deathSeparation from God—now overcome. Physical death remains, but it no longer separates us from life with God., that he predicted that the whole of it would be leveled with more than a million slaughtered and the very temple leveled? And isn’t it also highly emblematic and telling that for 2000 years since men and women have tried and re-tried to materially re-establish Jerusalem, its temple, its priesthood, its genealogy and its people in an age where God plainly says that once he destroyed it all He would write His laws on the hearts and minds of individuals and that the only thing that would remain (with a New Jerusalem existing in heaven) would be what could not be shaken?

In any case, moving back to that day and age and world, Mary and Joseph again, went to Jerusalem as commanded – but this time they took someone with them. It does not appear that infants were obliged to be present; and yet all the men-children (according to Exodus 34:23) were ordered to make an appearance at Jerusalem three times in the year.

Journey and Culmination in the Wisdom of Jesus

Now twelve years old, the Lord accompanies his parents to the feast. This was probably the age at which the male children were obliged to appear with the three times corresponding to the feast of unleavened bread, the feast of weeks, and the feast of tabernacles. According to the Jewish canons, it was the age of twelve that boys were to begin to learn a trade. And so we read at verse 42:

42 And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast.

This was a journey from Nazareth of about 70 miles. What was going on in the mind of Yeshua on this trip? Was he goofing around with other twelve year olds or did he walk somberly along the road toward the place where he would ultimately be put to a horrific death? Luke doesn’t say (verse 43).

Jesus at the Temple

To “fulfilled the days” of the Passover, these were eight days in all–one day for killing the paschal lamb, and seven days for the observance of the feast of unleavened bread as described in Exodus 12:15; Leviticus 23:5-6).

44 But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day's journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance. Of course in our day and age it would be ridiculous for a parent to depart for home without their child but in that day people, neighbors and families traveled in groups to economize and for safety and in all probability Mary and Joseph only checked in on their Son rather than had him under constant observation. In all likelihood Jesus was present as they prepared to depart so the parents assumed he was with the group in route. But Luke informs us that after a days journey (and having not seen him around) his parents sought him among among their “kinsfolk and neighbors.”

45 And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him.

The Search for Jesus

46 And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions. The three days, based on the way they accounted for time in that day, was probably one day to return back looking for him, one day of looking for him, and on the third day discovering him. Of course, it is very easy to suggest that this was a picture of type of his coming death and resurrection where he would be missing but would be found again – just something to consider. And where did they find him? In the temple. Which better means, “In the court of the temple,” because Jesus, not being a Levitical priest, could not enter into the temple itself. But in the court he was found, “in the midst of the doctors.” Now before we get to this, we are talking at least two full nights for this twelve year old – to be without family or support!

Where did he sleep? What did he eat? Did he remain up and fasting the whole time engaging in the temple? We don’t know the details, do we? All we know is after three days he was found in the midst of “the doctors” (the King James says) both hearing them and asking them questions. This touches my heart so deeply. I mean, a twelve year old kid – absent from mom and dad, family and friends, on his own, departing by the Spirit we can presume, and going to the very place where the scholars, teachers, doctors of the Law would gather. And he is listening and his is asking them questions.

Astonishment at Jesus' Understanding

The term translated doctors here is didaskalos, and better means teachers at a masters level or instructors – of course in reference to the subject of the law, and the prophets, and YHWH. Was he confronting them, or learning from them, teaching them or confounding them? Luke doesn’t say. But he does give us an insight to the response many (or all) had in the face of this setting (verse 47):

47 And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers. All that heard Him. We amazed/astonished. At his understanding and his answers.

Through the writings of Luke we have been able to weave a narrative surrounding Jesus that I have never heard taught. But we know that Anna in the temple who knew his identity spread the news of his arrival to all she could. We covered this last week. And we know that the shepherd who witnessed his birth and the words of the heavenly hosts also spread the message of his arrival from the day of his birth! We asked last week if there were people who were watching Jehoshua, as he grew and matured and waxed strong in spirit and grew in wisdom.

Now, some twelve years later, we have him coming with mom and dad to Jerusalem and going AWAL for three days, and when he is discovered he has been amazing the instructors of the land with his insights and answers! Was ANYONE putting two and two together here – besides his mother and Joseph? Did ANY of the teachers realize who he was? Were they entertaining this child BECAUSE they knew he was who he was or once they learned who He was did they welcome him into the conversation? I know that

Jesus’ Early Demonstrations of Wisdom

We cannot say anything I have asked is answerable. But the questions themselves are not out of the realm of possibility. I don’t know why or how it would matter, but I guess I am just as perplexed as to why nobody teaches the story of his life this way, as though he was known from infancy as the anointed one – at least by some. (verse 48)

We know from scripture that as he continued on through his ministry he stunned people with his wisdom and logic, right? Matthew 7:28-29 says: “And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine: 29 For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes. We are going to read in the next chapter the following which says:

Notable Reactions to His Teachings

Luke 4:32 And they were astonished at his doctrine: for his word was with power. We read in the Gospel of John 7:15-16 And the Jews marvelled, saying, How knoweth this man letters, having never learned? 16 Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me. And then in the same chapter, at verse 46, after the Pharisees sent officers to trip him up and capture him but came back empty handed, they asked, “why haven’t you brought him and they said: “Never man spake like this man.”

It all makes sense, eh? If or since the VERY Word (logos) of God was made flesh and dwelt among us, and this word was the very means by which God created all things, (he said it and it was) it only stands to reason that His Son’s ability to articulate through speech would be utterly and radically profound.

(beat)

48 And when they (his parents) saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing. I think this is a pretty understandable response from Jesus’ parents. I mean, they had to come all the way back to Jerusalem after a day’s journey away from it, right? And then they had to spend at least a day looking for him, and then once finding him and experiencing great relief for his safety, they have to travel back another full day just to get to where they once were!

On the surface it seems pretty inconsiderate of Jesus, doesn’t it – or at least immature and lacking wisdom. I mean if he wanted to stay back with the teachers in the temple shouldn’t he of at least told his parents so they would not have been so inconvenienced? I would have been really angry if one of my daughters pulled something like this when they were kids.

Understanding the Context of His Actions

But perhaps we are missing something here. And perhaps the clue is in Jesus' response to them as he says: Verse 49 How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business? Now, we have no actual words in the mss for either house or business. These terms were added based on a rule involving an ellipsis. I won’t go into it but in this case, the reason business was chosen is because the best literal translation of the passage is, “I must be at my fathers . . .” And translators naturally thought that “at” should be translated to about, and they assumed business was one of the most general terms to fit the bill. Other scholars have discovered this line in Ester 7:9 and because it says house, use house. Looking at the context of the conversation Jesus is having with his parents it appears that he is saying to them: Why have you spent three days searching for me? You should have known that I would be here in my father’s house – so I think house is the best term to be used.

So we read: “And when they (his parents) saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? (she felt somewhat maligned by her sons treatment of them and adds) “behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing.” Then at verse 49 we are presented with the first spoken words of Jesus recorded in the Gospels – and what are they? How is it that ye sought me? Another way to read or write this is: “Why have you sought ME? Mother!? “Of all people on earth, Mother, you should know, trust, believe, have faith…

Understanding Jesus' Early Life and Ministry

In the fact that I am safe, that I am in my father’s care, and that I have things that I must do while here.” And then we read him say: Don’t you know (wist ye not) that I must be about my Father's business?

Legally, Jesus was the Son of Joseph – and this is pure conjecture on my part but I would imagine that Joseph found himself irritated by the behaviors of his adopted Son. It is at this point, however, in the very first words cited of the Lord, that Jesus clearly explains who his father really is, and says to his mother: “don’t you know that I MUST be at MY FATHER’S HOUSE?”

In other words, why have you sought me with so much anxiety? You should have known that as the Son of God I was safe AND that the place I could be found would be in MY FATHER’S house. I think this is the best way to understand this whole situation and this is why Luke adds:

50 And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them.

Which is remarkable but even in the case of his own mother, Jesus purpose, and place and power was misunderstood. And if it was misunderstood by her it was in all probability misunderstood by his stepfather. The next verse says that Jesus returned with them to Nazareth and was “subject unto them” but I am of the humble opinion that the need and purpose of Joseph his stepfather began to wane at this point as Jesus, at least by the age of twelve, knew who His real father was and would from that point forward look to him in most or all things.

51 And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart.

Jesus' Growth in Favor with God

Of course, those who have been to Jerusalem and those who have read about it know that everything around it, say they, is down, as the city is on a mountain. “And he was subject to them.” He honored and performed the duty of a faithful and obedient Son and was in all probability learning Joseph’s trade of Joseph being a carpenter. And again, in another description of Him we read:

52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.

Commentators say that this description, again, means that in proportion to his human growth he advanced in wisdom. They also add that this does not imply that he ever lacked the favor of God but that God regarded him with favor in proportion to his age. I again find the explanation that Luke is merely referring to Jesus the Man and not Jesus the God as troubling and cannot help but see God as being pleased with the maturity, choices, and growth of His only human Son who had Him as His father and Mary as His mother for to read this with the idea of a pre-incarnate second person of the co-equal, co-eternal Son pleasing the Father I find myself in conflict – but that is just me.

The Beginning of Jesus' Adult Ministry

So, let’s read on into chapter 3 which now takes us out of the infancy and childhoods of John the Baptist and Jesus and right into adult ministry:

1. Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judaea, and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of Ituraea and of the region of Trachonitis, and Lysanias the tetrarch of Abilene,
   2 Annas and Caiaphas being the high priests, the word of God came unto John the son of Zacharias in the wilderness.
   3 And he came into all the country about Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins;
   4 As it is written in the book of the words of Esaias the prophet, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.
   5 Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be brought low; and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways shall be made smooth;
   6 And all flesh shall see the salvation of God.

Luke, ever the historian now says:

1. Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judaea, and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of Ituraea and of the region of Trachonitis, and Lysanias the tetrarch of Abilene,

Tiberius Caesar reigned as joint

Historical Context and Leadership

Emperor with Augustus for two years and this was only his thirteenth year of his being sole emperor, so Luke is counting the whole time he reigned here. Once Tiberius Caesar succeeded Augustus in the empire, and began his sole reign Aug. 19 of A.D. 14 and was infamous in his character of trouble. He reigned twenty-three years, and was succeeded by another emperor of even more trouble, Caligula, whom he purposely appointed as his successor on account of his notorious wickedness and said that he hoped that Caligula would be “a serpent to the Romans.” Luke adds that at this time, “Pontius Pilate being governor of Judea.”

We know that Herod the Great left his kingdom to three sons. Archelaus got Judea and he reigned nine years but, on account of his crimes, he was banished into Vienne, and Judea was made a Roman province, and placed entirely under Roman governors or procurators, becoming a complete tributary to Rome. Pontius Pilate was the fifth governor that had been sent, and had been in Judea but a short time when the Baptist hit the scene. In addition to this Luke adds, “Herod being tetrarch of Galilee.” Where Archelaus was given Judea, Herod Antipas, another son of Herod the Great, assumed Galilee.

The word tetrarch properly denotes one who presides over a fourth part of a country or province; but it also came to be a general title, denoting one who reigned over any part–a, third, a half, whatever. In this case, the Herods had a third of the dominions of his father, but he was called tetrarch and it was this Herod (Antipas) who imprisoned John the Baptist, and to whom the Lord, once arraigned, was sent by Pilate. Luke adds: “And his brother Philip tetrarch of Iturea.” Iturea was situated on the east side of the Jordan, and was taken from the descendants of Jetur by the tribes of Reuben and Gad and the half tribe of Manasseh (according to 1st Chronicles 5:19). In addition to Iturea, Luke says that Philip was also over “Region of Trachonitis” which was also on the east of the Jordan. “And Lysanias, the tetrarch of Abilene” which was in Syria.

The Jewish Leadership

After setting out the government of the land at this time, Luke – in verse 2 – lays out the leadership of the Jews in the highest places, adding:

2 Annas and Caiaphas being the high priests, the word of God came unto John the son of Zacharias in the wilderness.

Now there was, properly speaking, only ever one high priest of the Jews but the title, once given, was never removed. In this case, it appears that Caiaphas was the actual acting high priest and that Annas had once been but had since been dismissed from the office. Some think he continued to serve as the president of the Sanhedrim or ruling counsel. Annas is mentioned before Caiaphas because he was father-in-law to him and being eldest and therefore longest in office, deserved this respect. Note that if John did not begin to preach in the fifteenth year of Tiberius or if Philip was not tetrarch of Iturea or if Pontius Pilate was not governor of Judea, any faithful Jew of that age or beyond would have been able to detect a ruse. This hasn’t happened, and from this lack of attack we know that we are reading a reliable document historically.

Message to John

Luke continues and says that in this specific window of time . . .

“the word of God came unto John the son of Zacharias in the wilderness.”

The term translated Word of God here is not logos of Theos but rhema of Theos, meaning a direct message or revelation. And it came to John the Son of Zacharias, while he was still in the wilderness, where he had been raised. Can you imagine the scene and the moment that it would come? John had prepared himself for decades in the wilderness by and through austere living. According to chapter one, he too grew in wisdom and in the Spirit. And one day, whenever it was, God Almighty sent a direct message into his mind and or heart. The time had come for this prophet of prophets to step out and prepare the way for the coming of the promised Messiah.

Let’s wrap our time up today by reading verses 3-6:

3 And he came into all the country about Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins;
4 As it is

John the Baptist and the Baptism of Repentance

Written in the book of the words of Esaias the prophet, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.

5 Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be brought low; and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways shall be made smooth;

6 And all flesh shall see the salvation of God.

Preaching in the Wilderness

Back to verse 3

And he (John the Baptist) came into all the country about Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins; The wilderness was John's abode and home and so he began preaching where he was. The best biblical geographers suggest that this was the plain or valley of the Jordan, called El Ghor, and as far north as Succoth though sometimes he was on the eastern bank of the Jordan (according to John 10:40) though he usually stayed on the west side as His baptizing kept him near the river. What was John’s baptism? It was the baptism of repentance unto remission of sins. Who could receive it? Only Jews. What were Jews repenting of? Things Gentiles could not – the breaking of the law and this baptism was unto repentance for them – to openly show that they were sorry and had changed their minds about the way they had been living.

Why was John doing this specific baptism? He was called before conception to do this very thing in preparation for the coming Messiah before the GREAT and DREADFUL day when repentance and changing ones mind would be too late. The term translated “remission” is used more by Luke than in all the other New Testament writers combined.

The Prophecy of Isaiah

Luke, at this point, ties the prophesies spoken about John into his Gospel and says:

4 As it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. In the Gospel of Mark relative to this scene, he adds a quotation from Malachi 3:1 but Luke gives verses 4 and 5 of Isaiah 40 which are not included in Matthew or Mark. And he adds (citing these words from Isaiah)

5 Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be brought low; and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways shall be made smooth; Isaiah described the preparation for the Lord's triumphal march and John used it with great force. As we have said before, anciently, when a king or Monarch was to make a visit to another country emissaries would go “before them” and prepare the way, even to the point historically of filling in hollows and removing rocks from the path, straightening the path so the travels would be smooth and uneventful. And Luke adds a message that is sort of intrinsic to his audience, writing

6 And all flesh shall see the salvation of God.

A Universal Message

Where Matthew’s Gospel was more to the Jews Luke’s Gospel is commonly called the universal Gospel as his message was to all people everywhere – which to me is what makes it Good News because if it had limited application what would be good about that.

Psalm 98:2 The LORD hath made known his salvation: his righteousness hath he openly shewed in the sight of the heathen.

Isaiah 52:10 The LORD hath made bare his holy arm in the eyes of all the nations; and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God

Isaiah 49:6 And he said, It is a light thing that thou shouldest be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved of Israel: I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles, that thou mayest be my salvation unto the end of the earth.

Luke 2:10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

Luke 24:47 And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.

John 1:29 ¶ The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sinMissing the mark of faith and love—no punishment, just lost growth or peace. of the world.

John 12:32 And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.

Hebrews 2:9 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned

Gospel Victory

with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.

Romans 5:18 Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life. 2nd Corinthians 5:15 And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.

Philippians 2:10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 1st Timothy 2:6 Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time. 1st John 2:2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.

Revelation of Victory

And finally in the Book of RevelationA symbolic prophecy fulfilled in 70 A.D.—not a prediction of future global events., which foretold or revealed the future state POST Christ and his victory over all we read: Revelation 5:13 And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.

Conclusion

And so we end with reading about the very beginning of this wonderful gospel victory rolling forth.

Questions/Comments Prayer