In My Father’s House

In My Fathers’ House
Luke 2:39-52
November 15, 2020

Introduction
1. At the heart of the word Christianity is Christ.

2. Everything about Christianity is determined by the Person and Work of Jesus Christ.

3. Jesus is the beginning and the end of what we believe.

4. Jesus, Himself, made the question of Who He is the central theme of His ministry when He asked His disciples,

Matthew 16:15, “But who do you say that I am?”

5. Jesus has been asking the same question to all men and women from that moment on.

6. To be wrong on this most important question of all questions is fatal.

7. So tonight, we are going to focus our time on the person of Jesus Christ by looking at Luke’s description of His childhood and His first recorded words while He was sitting in the midst of rabbis at the Temple in Jerusalem.

8. By doing so, we will understand what Jesus meant when He called the Temple His Father’s house and how His example of dedication to the Fathers’ will is one that we must follow.

Luke 2:39-52

Context

1. Dr. Luke devoted a significant portion of his Gospel to the conception, birth, and childhood of Jesus Christ; more than the other three Gospels. Why did he do so?

2. Luke was a Gentile and original recipient of this Gospel, Theophilus, was a Gentile as well. (1:3)

3. The Gentiles were quite familiar with stories about gods visiting humans because it was part of their Greek and Roman mythologies.

4. But it is important to note that those gods never became humans; they remained distinctly different from us mortals.

5. Likely, Luke devoted more space to his account of Jesus Christ’s childhood years to help his readers understand and believe Jesus became a real man at the Incarnation.

Transition – This context is helpful for us too as we seek to understand what the Bible has to say about the Person of Jesus Christ.

I. Jesus Christ is Fully Man

• Luke records that after Mary and Joseph performed the customs according to the Law of Moses, they travelled north, about 65 miles, to their home in Nazareth.
• Taking a step back, it is relevant to note that in verses 21-40, Luke references the Law of Moses five times in connection with the Person of Jesus. Why did Luke do so?

Transition – Because an important aspect of Jesus Christ being fully human is understanding His relationship to Law.

A. Jesus was born under the Law

1. To deliver His people from bondage to and condemnation from the Law, Jesus was “made” or “born” under the Law.

Galatians 4:4-5, But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, so that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.

2. In order to be identified with and qualified to represent those He came to redeem from the condemnation of the Law, Jesus was born under the Law.

3. To understand the significance of this point, let’s unpackage it further so that we may have a greater appreciation for why Jesus Christ needs to be fully man.

4. First, Jesus Christ was born under the Law to fulfill the Law, not destroy it.

Matthew 5:17-18, Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill. For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass from the Law until all is accomplished.

5. This means Jesus Christ came to fulfill the righteous requirements of the Law by living a perfect, sinless life. This leads us to the next point.

6. Second, having been born under the Law, Jesus Christ perfectly obeyed the Law.

John 8:46, Which one of you convicts Me of sin? If I speak truth, why do you not believe Me?

7. Third, Jesus Christ bore the curse of the Law for us when He died on the cross to pay the penalty for our sins.

Galatians 3:13, Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for us—for it is written, “CURSED IS EVERYONE WHO HANGS ON A TREE”

8. Lastly, Jesus Christ set us free from the condemnation of the Law.

Romans 8:1-2, Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death.

APPL – So, Luke emphasizes Jesus Christ’s relationship to the Law to demonstrate He is qualified to represent and deliver those under the curse of the Law because He is fully man.

B. God’s hand was upon Jesus as He grew

1. Luke 2 repeatedly emphasizes the development of Jesus Christ from infancy to adulthood.

2. Luke notes, “The Child continued to grow and become strong, increasing in wisdom; and the grace of God was upon Him.” (40)

3. And, in verse 52, “Jesus kept increasing in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.”

4. The repetition in these verses along with the entirety of Luke 2 stresses the fact that Jesus Christ was born as a man in an actual place, at an actual time, to a human mother.
5. Jesus Christ grew and developed as normal humans do.

6. Jesus had a full range of human emotions.
a. Jesus wept at the tomb of Lazarus. (John 11:35)
b. Jesus had compassion on the crowds that followed Him and gave them bread. (Matthew 9:36)
c. Jesus demonstrated righteous anger when He cleansed the Temple. (Mark 11:15-18)
d. Jesus experienced agony in the Garden of Gethsemane. (Luke 22:44)

7. Jesus also experienced human weakness and limitations.
a. He grew tired. (Mark 4:38)
b. He got hungry. (Matthew 4:2)
c. He thirsted. (John 19:28)
d. He bled and died. (John 19:30-34)

Transition – To be our Savior, Jesus Christ needed to be fully man.

• Jesus Christ is perfect humanity; physically, mentally, and spiritually.
• It is also true that for Jesus to be our Savior, Jesus Christ must be fully God.

II. Jesus Christ is Fully God

• Jesus Christ has all the attributes which only God can possess.
• Jesus is eternal.

Revelation 1:8, “I am the Alpha and the Omega,”
says the Lord God, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.”

• He is all-powerful. (Philippians 3:21)
• Jesus knows all things, omniscient.

Colossians 2:3, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

• He never changes; Jesus is immutable.

Hebrews 13:8, Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

• Jesus created all things and sustains all things.

Colossians 1:16-17, For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.

• He forgives sins and gives eternal life. (Luke 7:47-49; John 10:28)
• The Apostle Paul affirmed the deity and humanity of Jesus Christ when he wrote. . .

Colossians 2:9, For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form

Transition – So, we have established the humanity and the deity of Jesus Christ.

• Perhaps you have heard people claim that Jesus never said He is God.
• If so, the first recorded words of Jesus Christ, when He was twelve years old, refutes their false claim.

A. Jesus declared He is uniquely God’s Son

1. Luke notes that Mary and Joseph were devout Jews; they observed the Passover.

2. The Law required that Jewish men go up to Jerusalem for three feasts, Passover, Pentecost, and Tabernacles. (Exodus 23:14-17)

3. For many this was impossible financially.

4. So, if they were going to attend one feast, it was Passover, to remember God’s deliverance of Israel from their slavery in Egypt.

5. When Jewish boys turned twelve, they began intensive training in the Law for one year.

6. When a Jewish boy turned thirteen, he became a “son of the covenant,” a custom which is continued in the present-day “bar mitzvah” ceremony.

7. It was considered helpful for the twelve-year-old boys to observe the Passover to prepare them for becoming a “son of the covenant.”

8. Traveling to Jerusalem was no small feat.

9. Families and friends traveled in caravans because there is safety in numbers.

10. Usually, the women and children would be in the front of the caravan to set the pace for the journey and the men would walk together towards the back.

11. Because Jesus was twelve, it was permissible for Him to migrate back and forth; from walking with Mary to walking with Joseph.

12. I say this because when Mary and Joseph discovered after a day of travel, that Jesus was missing, it was likely due to the fact that Mary thought Jesus was with Joseph and Joseph thought Jesus was with Mary.

13. Panic filled their hearts like it would for any parent with a missing child.

14. It took them one day to get back to Jerusalem and on the third day they began their search in Jerusalem.

15. After looking everywhere, they returned to the Temple, and to their amazement, there was Jesus, “sitting in the midst” of the rabbis, asking questions and answering questions.
a. When Luke mentionss that Jesus was “sitting in the midst” of the rabbis, it suggests that Jesus became the focal point of the discussion group. (46)
b. All who heard Jesus speak “were amazed at His understanding and His answers”, literally means the rabbis and other Jews were “beside themselves in amazement.” (47)
c. This suggests that Jesus engaged and deduced truths from the Scriptures which they had never heard before.
d. Their amazement at Jesus’ level of understanding communicated to them they were in the presence of greatness, One unique among men.

16. Mary and Joseph were also astonished.
a. With a hint of scolding, Mary asked Jesus why He treated them this way. . .
b. Did Jesus not know that His father and mother would be anxiously looking for Him? (48)
c. The word “anxiously” is a unique word which implies deep pain or suffering.

17. Jesus is the Master of asking questions when questioned, so when He asked His first question ever recorded in the Bible, it set the stage for His profound answer, which was in the form of second question.
a. “Why is it that you were looking for Me?”;
b. “Did you not know that I had to be in My Father’s house?” (49)

18. Jesus was not being disrespectful in His response for verse 51 confirms He submitted to his mother and legal father while under their authority in keeping with the command to “Honor your father and mother” in Exodus 20:12.

19. But Jesus was making a distinction with His declaration.
a. While Jesus honored His earthly parents, He was conscious of a greater relationship, His relationship with Father God.
b. Jesus, at the age of twelve, at the Temple surrounded by rabbis and devout Jews, declared Himself to be the Son of God.
c. This confirms that Jesus Christ was fully aware of His mission and unique relationship to God as the Son of God.
d. This first declaration is consistent with every subsequent declaration He made about Himself, Jesus Christ is the Son of God.

John 10:30, I and the Father are one.

Transition – So, we have established the humanity and deity of Christ, which Jesus Himself affirmed.

• As the Son of God, Jesus said He had to be in His Father’s house.
• Since there is more to that statement, let’s unpackage it further as well.

B. Jesus was compelled to do the Father’s will

1. The words, had to means “must” or “to be compelled” and it was often on Jesus’ lips.

Luke 4:43, I must preach the kingdom of God to the other cities also, for I was sent for this purpose.

Luke 9:22, The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed and be raised up on the third day.

2. In addition, it is important to note that the word “house” is not here in the Greek.

3. So the phrase, “in My Father’s house” actually reads “in My Father’s.”

4. Therefore, the phrase may also be interpreted “in the things of My Father.”

5. Either interpretation is acceptable. Both communicate Jesus’ unique relationship to the Father and His commitment to His Father’s presence and will.

6. Even at the age of twelve, Jesus was compelled to do the Father’s will and He would not let anyone or anything get in the way of Him doing so.

APPL – There is great application for us when we look at Jesus’ example.

• Nothing and no one would get in the way of Jesus being in His Father’s presence.
• And no one and nothing would get in the way of Jesus doing His Father’s will.
• At the age of twelve, Jesus’ priorities were straight, His eyes were focused and His heart was undivided.

ILLUS – The counsel of Luciano Pavarotti’s father.

7. Mary and Joseph did not understand at the time, but Mary treasured these words in heart and they were a comfort to her later, when she realized Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection were part of God’s sovereign will; which Jesus perfectly fulfilled. (51)

Conclusion

APPL – What a Savior and what an example we have in Jesus Christ.

• Jesus Christ is coming back.
• Is Jesus your Savior?
• If not, will you please receive the gift of salvation that He freely offers to you?
o Will you please pray with me and confess your sins to God and ask Jesus to be your Savior?
o Jesus Christ died on the cross to pay the penalty for your sins because God loves you and wants to bless your life now and for all eternity.

John 3:16, For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.

• If Jesus is your Savior, then will you please join me in asking the Father to strengthen our commitment to His will?
o That we will be more like Jesus, compelled to do the Father’s will.
o That we are more like Jesus, compelled to not let anyone or anything get in the way of doing the Father’s will.

Luke 9:23-26, If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake, he is the one who will save it. For what is a man profited if he gains the whole world, and loses or forfeits himself? For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when He comes in His glory, and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.