“Young Jesus” Luke 2:41-52

“Young Jesus” Luke 2:41-52

Not much is known about Jesus’ childhood.

On the 8^th he is circumcised
On the 40^th day Jesus is presented to the Lord
Simeon and Anna
The visit of the Magi
The flight to Egypt
They return to Nazareth

Nazareth is in Galilee
Galilee is the northern most province of Israel given to Naphtali, one of the twelve tribes of Israel.
Nazareth is a small town on a trade route. When Nathanael hears that the messiah is from Nazareth John 1:46 tells us he remarks “can anything good come from Nazareth.” 
Jesus is called a Nazarene, not to be confused with a Nazarite, a person who has taken a special vow to the Lord. The town could have adopted the name in honor of the term Nazarite, but we have nothing to prove this. Some say the town was known for making of ox yokes and this was Jesus’ trade, again nothing we have really supports this.

Jesus’ boyhood is summed up by Luke 2:40, “and the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon him.”

This leads us to my first take away from this time in Jesus’ life. “It doesn’t matter where you’re from as much as that God’s grace is upon you.” While the world will tell you, you’re are a nobody from nowhere, God says you are my child. God see you as His tool for His work in the world around you.

In the passage we read today the story jumps to Jesus at twelve. He stays at the temple and in home alone style is left behind. They finally go back to get Him and find Jesus in the temple. Jesus listens to the teachers and ask questions, giving answers to their questions and amazing everyone. I would have liked to sit in on that Sunday School Class, as God posed questions to the teachers of the law.

When confronted by his parents Jesus says, “did you not know I would be in my father’s house?”

My second take away from this time in Jesus’ life is a question. “Where would people know to find you?” “What would people say you would be doing?”

Fuzzy’s Bar
Gone Fishing or Hunting

The final words about Jesus as a boy is “and was submissive in all things.”

My last question is: “are we submissive to God in all things?” Is there a part of our lives that we are less than submissive to God? Will we make a vow to be submissive to God this year? Would someone describe you as submissive to God? Say that you are a Jesus follower?

Tithe was the first thing (Jerry)

This coming year what would people say of us? How would the describe us, where would they say we are and what we are doing? The past we can not change but we can work on changing this year. It starts tomorrow!