Matthew 2:13-23; Luke 2:39-52

Think About It

In Luke 2:39-52, we see that even as a young boy, Jesus had a passion for God’s Word. Read Psalm 119:9-16. Do you think that just knowing about the Bible is enough? What do we need to do with this knowledge?

We live in remarkably interesting times – a global pandemic, political and social unrest, the race to Mars – to mention just a few! Sometimes we can be overwhelmed at the turmoil going on around us. Jesus was also born into an exceedingly difficult situation. There was political unrest and even genocide against His people. What does this say about God, that He would bring His own Son into the world at that time and place? What does this say about God’s involvement in your life in whatever current situation you find yourself in?

Digging Deeper

Luke 2:40-52 is the only information we have about Jesus' boyhood. We see here, that just like us, Jesus grew both physically and mentally. Jesus was also growing in His understanding of God's Word. He grew and matured just like any other child. Hebrews 5:8 says that Jesus learned obedience through what He suffered. Jesus was not like an adult when He was a boy. He was not born with the Bible downloaded into His brain. He had to learn and develop just like we do. The difference is that He never sinned, so He never had to learn through moral mistakes.

When Jesus went with His family to Jerusalem for the Feast of Passover, He must have been excited about the opportunity to talk to the scholars there who knew the Torah (the Law) so well. What do you think Jesus asked them about (Luke 2:46)? Do you think He was trying to work out if He was the Messiah?

Watch: Jesus as a Boy (Wadi Qelt) https://vimeo.com/channels/knowinghim/148730987 (6:08).

In Luke 2:46 we see that it took three days for His parents to find Jesus. They obviously did not expect Jesus to be sitting in the temple courts, talking about the Scriptures. Jesus' response to His mother is the first recorded words of Jesus in the gospels. It is as if Jesus is telling His mother: “You knew I would have to figure out sometime that I am not like my other friends. You knew I would want to find out more about who I am.” It seems that Jesus is in the process of finding out that He has an incredibly special purpose in His Father's plans. Sometimes we imagine Jesus sitting there lecturing the Bible scholars. However, according to the gospels Jesus was not teaching others; He was sitting at the feet of rabbis and learning!

Do you have a passion for God’s Word? Are you thirsty to connect intimately with God? What new truth has God taught you through His Word recently?

If you have time, watch the following videos for additional insights into Jesus’ early life:
Jesus and His Family (Nazareth Precipice) https://vimeo.com/148730986 (7:30).
Jesus as a Young Man (Nazareth Precipice) https://vimeo.com/148730988 (5:48).
Jesus as a Carpenter (Sepphoris) https://vmdeo.com/148731018 (7:16).