Anchor My Faith

Jesus Grew into Adulthood

Scripture: Luke 2:50-52

In the previous lesson, Jesus was asked why he stayed behind in Jerusalem and he responded with: “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” No further conversation was recorded by Luke, but he does tell us more about the parents of Jesus: “And they did not understand the saying that he spoke to them” (Luke 2:50 ESV). Here is an example of how hard it is for a person to come to belief. Mary had been visited by and had conversation with Gabriel that she was chosen to give birth to the Son of God as a virgin. Later an angel confirmed this to Joseph and Elizabeth explained that the baby Mary was pregnant with was her Lord. After giving birth there was a threat on the life of Jesus and their flight to Egypt for safety. There were words spoken at the temple by Simeon and the response of Anna. Probably the behavior of Jesus as a child set him apart from other children, but with all of this the parents of Jesus did not understand what Jesus meant about being in his Father’s house. How difficult it is going to be for people to believe that Jesus, born and raised among them, was going to be the one to provide them deliverance from their sin and provide for them eternal life.

With the scene at the temple now complete, “. . . [Jesus] went down with them and came to Nazareth and was submissive to them. And his mother treasured up all these things in her heart” (Luke 2:51 ESV). Since Jerusalem was at a higher elevation that Nazareth, Luke spoke of them going down to Nazareth. The submission of Jesus began much before this. First, he was submissive to his Father to humble himself to become a man. This submission continued to his earthly parents as he served them as a growing boy, probably learning the trade of Joseph, working in his carpentry shop.

All the unusual things that were happening, the things being said about Jesus, and the things he said and his obedience, were treasured in Mary’s heart as she tried to comprehend the extent of what God was doing or going to do with her son. Her struggle is not over as she grows along with Jesus as God develops him and used him.

The only thing else said about Jesus during his boyhood years is that “[he] increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man” (Luke 2:52 ESV). Here is a statement that shows he was a typical child that grew from infancy into adulthood. Like others, Jesus developed physically, mentally, socially, and spiritually.

This brings us to the end of another section and the end of a major section on the birth and childhood of Jesus. Our next lesson will open a new major section, which will cover the first year of ministry. It will be a time when John appears on the scene to prepare the way for Jesus and the transfer of focus to Jesus.

Prayer

Father, this has been an interesting 54 days of travel, grouped into 13 interest points, along the gospel path we are traveling on. As we travel more are joining our group from around the world as we, together, watched God orchestrate events to bring John and Jesus to the forefront as out two main characters in the next major section of travel. Father, prepare us for some harmonization complexities we will look at as we continue on next time.