Luke 2:41 ( ESV )
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Every year-This was about a one hundred mile
journey from Nazareth that was a custom for them to make and was required by
the Law.
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According to Exodus 12 it took place during the
month of Abib or our March-April . They would take a lamb for their household
or share it with another one. The lamb accordingly was to be without blemish or
spot and about a year old. This is a beautiful picture of Jesus as the Lamb of
God. I Peter 1:18-19, 2:22 and 3:18. On the 14th day they were to
kill it around 3:00-5:00 P.M. They were then required to take its blood and
strike it on the 2 sides of the post and at the top. Deut. 16:16 They were
required to go to Jerusalem during the Passover, Unleavened Bread and the Feast
of Tabernacles. The city of Jerusalem would be packed during this time with
crowds of people.
Luke 2:42-44 ( ESV )
43And when the feast was ended, as they were returning, the boy
Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents did not know it,
44but supposing him to be in the group they went a day’s journey,
but then they began to search for him among their relatives and acquaintances,
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Jesus was 12 at this time and at the age of 13
boys would be known as the Son of the Commandment. At 12 most boys would
celebrate their first feast in preparation for manhood. Once again we are told
that His parents were devout to this custom.
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When the feast was finished and they had done
what the Lord had commanded them to do they were ready to leave. Families
during this time would go in lines as 100s of people from various communities
would go together. The women and children would be in one group while the men
would go in another. How could they have not kept track on Jesus whereabouts? I
believe that the best answer to that is that as Jesus was 12 he could go with
either his mother or his father. Both of them probably thought he was with the
other. Note they have already gone a whole day’s journey away from Him.
Luke 2:45-47 ( ESV )
46After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the
teachers, listening to them and asking them questions.
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Can you imagine the fear that must have went
through His parents mind and heart? Where could the one that the Father had
entrusted them with be gone?
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They were probably separated from Him around 3 day’s
altogether. A day away from Him, a day getting back and the last day. The idea
is that they searched intently for Him.
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After all of this time they finally find Him in
the temple surrounded by those who knew the Law. Jesus we are told listened to
them but He also placed questions to these learned men. He literally amazed
them with his understanding and question. The idea of the word amazed has the
idea of throw out of position or displace.
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One of the challenges personally that we see in
this passage is that no matter how young we are we should be able to defend our
faith. II Tim. 3:16-17 and I Peter 3:15
Luke 2:48 ( ESV )
48And when his parents£ saw him, they were astonished. And his mother said to him, “Son,
why have you treated us so? Behold, your father and I have been searching for
you in great distress.”
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Think about it for a moment, Why would they be
astonished? He was not only a child but
also their Lord. Secondly, He was being obedient to His Father. Lastly, God was
His Father not Joseph.
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Mary and Joseph had been brought to a point of
distress in their search. The word here for distress is like that of a soul
lost in Hades. Luke 16:24-25. They were in great grief over trying to find Him.
Luke 2:49-50 ( ESV )
49And he said to them, “Why were you looking for me?
Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?”£
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Why would you search for me? It is only natural
that I would have been here. Then He
reminds them of where His Father would have him to be. Jesus had an end goal
and a job to do. Heb. 10:5-9 He would say, I have come to do your will. (esp.
v. 7 and 9) He would complete the sacrifice with these words in John 19:30, It
is finished. What about us are we
willing to forsake all to be about the work of our Father? We are only told
that Mary and Joseph still did not understand. The same will be true of us at
times when we are obedient to our heavenly Father. Our actions just don’t make
any sense no matter how right they are.
Luke 2:51-52 ( ESV )
51And he went down with them and came to Nazareth and was submissive
to them. And his mother treasured up all these things in her heart.
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He was still submissive to them and proved His
obedience to Mary and Joseph. Think of
it the King of Glory was willing to walk in complete humility and be obedient.
He was willing to obey His family, government and others even to the point of death.
(Phil. 2:5-11) His conduct was pleasing to all who saw and knew Him.
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