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We move on to Luke 2:40, where we read that the child, Jesus, grew and became strong. He was filled with wisdom and the grace of God was upon him. Here we see Jesus growing in every way. In Jesus, there is a perfect development and balanced growth, physically, emotionally, socially and of course, spiritually.

Sometimes we see young people develop in a few of these ways but Jesus shows us how we can grow and mature in various areas of our lives. Place some people, who think they are so able, capable and mature, in a Prayer Meeting, and they become surprisingly silent. The growing boy, Jesus, was developing in every way that mattered. He was what we might call well-developed. And, Jesus was filled with WISDOM, not just clever – and there is a tremendous difference. Never confuse being clever with being wise.

We tend to think of someone doing well when they are promoted, with so many men under them – or made head of a department – when it is regarded that they are climbing the social ladder and move house to a more fashionable area or to a better district. Man tends to regard all that as important, but this is never even hinted at when describing the life of Jesus. Jesus never developed financially, nor did he move to a better district during his period of ministry on earth. And yet, when we read the Bible, Jesus is so well-developed. Jesus is able play and pray and mix with all kinds of people.

Now, every year, Mary and Joseph went up to Jerusalem for the Passover. Out of these first 30 years of Jesus’ life this is the only incident which is mentioned. This is the only small brief glimpse we are given of Jesus, the young man.

Jesus is twelve years old, and being twelve was significant for a Jew. He would now be regarded as an adult and he would be responsible in society, morally and criminally, and he could now be regarded as a full legal partner with Joseph in the carpenter’s business. Here we see them making the 80 mile journey to Jerusalem, as was their custom.

God was first in the life of this family. It was not done out of sheer duty or because it was the religious fashion. Mary and Joseph were committed to God, and their habit was to go and worship with all the others, keeping the Jewish feasts and festivals. They had the grace and wisdom to overlook all the faults and failings of the Pharisees and the priests. Nothing and no-one would put them off from worshipping the living God.

When the grace of God is with you and upon you, you can overlook the weaknesses of others within the visible church.

When the Feast was over – when the ‘conference’ was over – Mary and Joseph set off for Nazareth. It was time to go home, but Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. Jesus loved to linger in the Temple. That indicates a lot. How do we love to be in the place of worship and prayer?

It would not be normal for Mary and Joseph to travel together. Mary would normally be with the other women and Joseph would be with the men, and at night they would meet. Can you imagine when they met? “Where is Jesus?” I thought HE was with you! They had been given a ministry by God of looking after the Son of God, and they had lost him.

They thought Jesus was with them. It is always dangerous to assume that Jesus is with us. It is good to take time to check.

Before the feast Jesus would probably have travelled with the women, but now that he was twelve and had been to Jerusalem, he could travel now with the men, and Mary and Joseph each thought Jesus was in the other party of travellers.

Verse 45. They went back to Jerusalem to look for him. They went back to where they once were. If we lose Jesus sometimes we have to go back to where we once were! For three days they looked for him everywhere.

Can you imagine Mary telling this to Luke some years later? “We hunted high and low for him, and it was only after three days that we thought of looking in the Temple, and there we saw hi, sitting with the lawyers and among the teachers.”

What Jesus was doing was listening to them and asking questions. One of the best ways to learn is to ask questions. They must have asked this twelve year old boy questions too, because we read that when Jesus replied they were amazed at his understanding and answers. This is a good sound teaching method.

Verse 48. When Mary and Joseph saw Jesus, they could hardly believe their eyes. Mary goes forward. You can hear her, “Why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you.” Now, in the eyes of the law, Joseph was his father, but look at what Jesus says. Use your sanctified imagination. “Why were you searching all over the place for me? My father? Didn’t you know that I had to be in my Father’s house and be about His business? I thought you would have known that when I was twelve I was now old enough to be about my Father’s business. I am, after all, to become a Partner in His business.”

Jesus knew who His Father was. Jesus had a clear picture of who He was. At the age of twelve Jesus had a firm grasp of basic spiritual truths.

These are the first recorded words of Jesus, and from the very outset Jesus is pointing to His father. Jesus points us to the Father, and shows us God the Father. His final words on the Cross were to be, “Father, into Your hands I commit my spirit.”

Today, we come to the Father, through Jesus the Son, and he never sends us away empty, unsatisfied, and not having been touched in some way by the Holy Spirit.

Verse 50. They did not understand him. Do you ever feel like that? “My parents do not understand me. People just do not understand me.” So what do you do? Run away? No. No. Look at what we are told next. Jesus went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. For another 18 years Jesus was working away in Nazareth. What an example.

I can do whatever I want. No – not if you are following Jesus Christ.

I can go wherever I want. No – not if you are following Jesus Christ.

I will make up my own mind and say what I want to say. No – not if you are following Jesus Christ. Jesus is Lord. Jesus is King.

Verse 51. Mary continued to ponder all these things and treasure them in her heart. She meditated upon what she had seen and heard and witnessed. She knew, and it dawned upon her later on, and she told and shared it all with the beloved doctor, Luke.

What did Jesus do? He grew. Jesus went on growing and developing, and not just in size and strength, but in wisdom and in favour with God – patiently waiting another 18 years until his time arrived. Cousin John had to appear on the preaching scene first.

Would there not be times when Jesus wanted to launch out? On seeing a poor blind beggar in Nazareth – or someone lame or leprous? He must have – but He waited patiently until the time was right. Jesus was so popular with everyone in Nazareth. Jesus would have been a great guy to know, until He began to preach. That often happens!

One thing which comes over in these verses is the importance of GROWTH. It seems to be underlined and emphasised. In these verses there are no miracles – but a tremendous revelation of who Jesus is.

"Inspiration For You" from Randy Mitchell

Our Children Are Our Future