JESUS’ YOUTH!

JESUS’ YOUTH!

Luke 2:40-43

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

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.

          Christmas is just a month gone and we have generally dismissed Jesus. The world won’t think much about Him again until Palm Sunday and Easter! But we are not the world – and we want to know all there is to know about our Lord and Savior.

          We know little to nothing about the years of Jesus’ youth. Luke 2:40 simply gives us a synopsis of his childhood years. If you are looking for peevish disobedience and youthful rebellion you won’t find it. Jesus grew physically strong, mentally firm, intellectually wise and spiritually mature. The grace of God was upon him. If you are searching for evidences of Jesus being a bratty child or a rebellious youth you won’t find it here.

          Only one story from Jesus’ youth is given to us. Jesus did not return to Nazareth with his parents but lingered behind to speak with the teachers in the temple asking and answering questions about the law. The teachers were amazed. He was there for at least three days and we know nothing more than that. His parents found him in the temple where they had last seen him. It was the mother that spoke in what can only be assumed as a scolding voice: “Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing.” Jesus’ simple reply was that it was time for him to “be about his father’s business.”

          Jesus went home with His mom and dad and stayed with them another eighteen years. He worked in the carpenter shop and, we assume, ran the family business after Joseph’s death. Jesus’ brothers and sisters most likely took over the carpenter shop when Jesus began his ministry.

          Jesus lived his life intentionally with every move and decision calculated to please the Heavenly Father. He began his ministry by finding John and being baptized. “When Jesus emerged, the Father was able to say of Him, "Thou art My beloved Son; in Thee I am well pleased" (Luke 3:22). May the Father be able to say that about us!

Dear Jesus, let me live my life intentionally with every move and decision calculated to please the Father. AMEN