Testing Jesus (Message 1)

Two Lessons for This Series:

In seven consecutive stories we see Jesus being TESTED, and we see Him testing the DOUBTERS.

Jesus is the ONLY exception to the rule that “you can fool all of the people some of the time.”

Jesus Grows Up

A BABY — βρέφος brephos
Luke 2:16   . . . and the baby, who was lying in the manger.

A young CHILD — παιδίον paidion
Luke 2:40 And the child grew and became strong; . . .

A BOY — παῖς pais
Luke 2:43 . . the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, . . .

A MAN — Jesus
Luke 2:52 And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.

The Setting

Luke 2:40 And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was on him. 41 Every year his parents went to Jerusalem for the Feast of the Passover. 42 When he was twelve years old, they went up to the Feast, according to the custom. 43 After the Feast was over, while his parents were returning home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but they were unaware of it. 44 Thinking he was in their company, they traveled on for a day. . .

The STORY jumps 12 years and Mary and Joseph are called “His PARENTS.”

Mary and Joseph FOLLOWED God’s law and went to Passover in Jerusalem. Jesus went ALONG.
Luke 2:41 Every year his parents went to Jerusalem for the Feast of the Passover. 42 When he was twelve years old, they went up to the Feast . . .

Traveling was normally done in GROUPS of family and friends (caravan) but now, Jesus stayed BEHIND in Jerusalem.

Assuming their son was in the GROUP, they traveled on WITHOUT Him for a DAY.
Matt.13:55 “Isn’t this the carpenter’s son? Isn’t his mother’s name Mary, and aren’t his brothers James, Joseph, Simon and Judas? 56 Aren’t all his sisters with us? . . .

The Search

Luke 2:44 . . . Then they began looking for him among their relatives and friends. 45 When they did not find him, they went back to Jerusalem to look for him. 46 After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. 47 Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers. 48 When his parents saw him, they were astonished. His mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you.”

The story begins with a CASUAL look for their son, but when they don’t find Him, they become FRANTIC.

Their search takes them ANOTHER day’s journey back up to Jerusalem and then THROUGHOUT the city before coming to the Temple. (3 days)

Mary and Joseph FIND their son listening to “the teachers and asking them questions.” But we should also note that “everyone was amazed at His understanding and ANSWERS.”

Then we see the TYPICAL reaction of parents:

— ASTONISHED that He was not CONCERNED (where did He eat and sleep for 3 days?)

— His mother’s concern turned to ANGER and a GUILT-trip.
Luke 2:48 . . . His mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us like this? . . .

— The “TEAM approach” — “Your father and I . . .”
Luke 2:48 . . . Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you.”

The Statement

Luke 2:49 “Why were you searching for me?” he asked. “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?” 50 But they did not understand what he was saying to them. 51 Then he went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. But his mother treasured all these things in her heart.

These words of Jesus are the ONLY ones recorded by Him from BIRTH to the age of 30.

He first asked why they would have to LOOK for Him. Shouldn’t they know EXACTLY where to find Him?

His next question is PROFOUND:
— Didn’t you know that I HAD TO BE . . .
— In my FATHER’S house. (Jesus’ “father” couldn’t have been LOOKING for Him because He was IN His Father’s house!)

John 14:2 My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you?

John 8:54 Jesus replied, “If I glorify myself, my glory means nothing. My Father, whom you claim as your God, is the one who glorifies me.

John 20:21    Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.”

— The fact that His parents didn’t UNDERSTAND this statement proves how DEEP and how intentional it was.

The Symmetry

Luke 2:51 Then he went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. But his mother treasured all these things in her heart. 52 And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.

Jesus WENT with His parents to Nazareth and remained OBEDIENT to them.

Mary TREASURED these early years.
Luke 2:19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.

Jesus grew up — and He remained “in BALANCE.”
Luke 2:52  Καὶ Ἰησοῦς προέκοπτεν σοφίᾳ καὶ ἡλικίᾳ καὶ χάριτι παρὰ θεῷ καὶ ἀνθρώποις
Luke 2:52 kai Iēsous prokoptō sophia kai hēlikia kai charis para theos kai anthrōpos

— Balance: mental, physical, spiritual, relational

— To be used by God, we need to stay in BALANCE too.

Walk the Talk

Finding Balance — 2017

Luke 2:52 And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.
Luke 2:52  Καὶ Ἰησοῦς προέκοπτεν σοφίᾳ καὶ ἡλικίᾳ καὶ χάριτι παρὰ θεῷ καὶ ἀνθρώποις
Luke 2:52 kai Iēsous prokoptō sophia kai hēlikia kai charis para theos kai anthrōpos

1. What goals could you set for yourself for 2017 in the following areas:

a. Mental
b. Physical
c. Spiritual
d. Relational

2. With whom will you share this information to hold you accountable to these goals and when will you do so?