A DAY’S JOURNEY WITHOUT JESUS
Luke 2:40-52
Proposition: “Fellowship with Jesus may be broken but not one’s relationship with Him.”
Objective: My purpose is to challenge people to walk with Jesus and have a joyful fellowship with the Lord Jesus.
INTRODUCTION:
On Feb. 24, 2001, a one-year old Canadian girl named Erika somehow wandered out of her mother’s bed & house & spent the entire night in the Edmonton winter. When her mother, Leyla Nordby, found her, she appeared to be totally frozen. Her legs were stiff and all signs of life appeared to be gone. Erika was treated at Edmonton’s Stollery Children’s Health Center & God helped doctors & rescue workers bring her back to life. To the amazement of all, there appeared to be no sign of brain damage & doctors gave Erika a clear prognosis—she would soon be able to skip & play like other girls her age.
That blessed old song, "Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing," has the revealing heart-cry of every Christian that ever found himself slipping back. It says, "Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it; Prone to leave the God I love!"
We see Jesus as a twelve-year-old boy. What did Jesus do during the “hidden years” at Nazareth. In many ways He was like any other twelve-year-old. But, even here, Jesus will amaze us. Not much is known about our Savior’s childhood. The Bible only records two incidents between his birth & His baptism by John the Baptist in the Jordan River. At 8 days old, Jesus was presented in the temple. Other than this, this is the only other account of Jesus as a child recorded in Scripture. There are stories in extra biblical literature, which purport to tell us about the childhood of Jesus. For example, in the Gospel of Thomas, there is a story about a young Jesus molding sparrows out of mud on the Sabbath. When someone rebuked him for doing this on the Sabbath it is said that Jesus breathed life into the birds & they flew away. Another story tells us about Jesus & a friend of His playing on the roof of a house. The friend fell off the roof & was killed. It is said Jesus jumped off the roof & brought His friend back to life. Another legend found in the Gospel of Thomas (2nd century): "When this boy Jesus was five years old he was playing at the ford of a brook, and he gathered together into pools the water that flowed by, & made it at once clean, & commanded it by his word alone. But the son of Annas the scribe was standing there with Joseph; and he took a branch of a willow and (with it) dispersed the water which Jesus had gathered together. When Jesus saw what he had done he was enraged and said to him: ’You insolent godless dunderhead, what harm did the pools and the water do to you? See, now you also shall wither like a tree and shall bear neither leaves nor root nor fruit.’ And immediately that lad withered up completely; & Jesus departed and went into Joseph’s house. But the parents of him that was withered took him away, bewailing his youth, and brought him to Joseph and reproached him: ’What a child you have who does such things.’ After this again he went through the village, and a lad ran and knocked against his shoulder. Jesus was exasperated and said to him: ’You shall not go further on your way,’ and the child immediately fell down and died. But some, who saw what took place, said: "From where does this child spring, since every word is an accomplished deed?"’
After such stories this account seems a bit drab--and that is precisely what speaks in favor of its authenticity. It does not appear to be motivated by a desire to overplay Jesus’ uniqueness. The claim to uniqueness is much more subtle and that accords with the way Jesus acted most of the time. In addition the Greek language of the story is almost certainly a translation of the Semitic language of Palestine which means that it was not created, like many of the legends, in Greek-speaking areas far removed from the land of the eyewitnesses. On the contrary, it is Jewish in content and language and therefore probably originated in Palestine; and the most likely source for the story is Mary. There are other stories just as outlandish. However, Scripture remains virtually silent concerning the childhood of Jesus. “Lord, in love You have called me to live for your praise and glory. May I always find joy in Your presence & trust in Your grace & in Your wisdom & plan for my life.”
Let us be obedient to Jesus & not be guilty of living a day without experiencing the full presence of Christ in our daily walk. We may have a relationship in being one of His children, but not the full fellowship of His presence & blessings.
I. THE DEDICATION (vvs. 40-42) “The Child grew & became strong in spirit”—both physical & spiritual strength. In Nazareth He was first rejected after He publicly declared that He was the Messiah. The preparation for His ministry took place in that town as He continued to grow up and worship God.
1. Mercy (v. 40) “The grace of God was upon Him”— The normal growth of the Child Jesus is set forth as follows: Physically He grew and became strong in spirit. He passed through the usual stages of physical development, learning to walk, talk, play, and work. Because of this He can sympathize with us in every stage of our growth. Mentally He was filled with wisdom. He not only learned His ABC’s, His numbers, and all the common knowledge of that day, but He grew in wisdom, that is, in the practical application of this knowledge to the problems of life. Spiritually the favor of God was upon Him. He walked in fellowship with God & in dependence on the Holy Spirit. He studied the Bible, spent time in prayer, & delighted to do His Father’s will. His life was filled with God’s loving presence.
2. Mandate (v. 41) “His parents went to Jerusalem”—This was the greatest feast of all. Pious Jews made a point of going to the Passover (commemorates God’s deliverance or exodus of His people out of Egypt. Here Luke stresses again how devout and law-abiding Jesus’ parents were. We saw in 2:22, 23, 24, 39 how Mary and Joseph did all that the Mosaic law required. By stressing this Luke tries to help Theophilus accept the fact that, although Jesus was killed by Jewish teachers, it was not really because he was outside the Jewish faith. Jesus’ parents, and now we will see Jesus himself, were devoted to the law of Moses. They loved it, studied it, and obeyed it.
3. Motivation (v. 42) “according to the custom of the feast”—Mary went with Joseph on annual pilgrimages even though it was not required. The fact that this incident happened when Jesus was 12 is probably significant. The 12th year was the final year of preparation for a lad before he entered full participation in the religious life of the synagogue. Up until that time his parents, especially his father, were teaching him the commandments of the law, but at the end of the 12th year the child goes through a ceremony by which he formally takes on the yoke of the law and becomes a bar mitzvah or "son of the commandment." This was the year Jesus chose to stay behind in the temple. Perhaps, at this crucial turning point in every Jewish boy’s life, Jesus learns more about the worship of God.
Illus: Jessica Sachs was aboard the plane that crashed into the World Trade Center on 9-11. She and her parents were Christians & members of Colony Baptist Church, NE of Boston. Jessica was a 2000 graduate of U of Mass & was on her way to Los Angeles for a meeting. At an awards banquet, the dean of school said, “I’ve never seen a student that is as spiritual as Jessica was. Kids don’t come to college & keep their religion, yet Jessica walked with God.”
Illus: Leslie Haskins was in the WTC on the 36th floor. That day of 9-11 she stopped running from God and began a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. “If I had died on Sept 11, I know I would have lifted my eyes up in hell.” “We don’t know from one minute to the next where life is going to end? Nothing’s worth sacrificing your soul. Nothing.” “I don’t know what the next step is, I just know the Lord wants me to keep walking.”
II. THE DISAPPEARANCE (vvs. 43-45a) “They sought Him”—When the time came for camping at night, the parents could not locate Jesus.
1. The delay (v. 43) “the boy lingered behind”—Was it intentional or unintentional? At 13 Jesus could become a “son of the law” or full member of the synagogue. Jesus was preparing for this by learning all He could.
2. The deliberation (v. 44) “supposing Him to have been in the company”—They travelled in a large company or caravan of pilgrims. Woman traveled with women and men with men. The inhabitants of a village, or of several neighboring villages, formed themselves into a caravan, and travelled together. The Nazareth caravan was so long that it took a whole day to look through it. It was probably when the caravan halted for the night that He was missed. In that day the women commonly start first, and the men follow; the little children being with the mothers, and the older with either. If this was the case then, Mary might fancy that He was with Joseph, and Joseph that He was with Mary.
3. The disappointment (v. 45a) “they did not find Him”-When they found out Jesus was not in the group, they were alarmed. When Jesus was found, He was interacting with the teachers of the Law, listening and asking intelligent questions. Everyone… was amazed ( “beside themselves in amazement”) at His understanding and His answers. Also, children brought a good price in the slave market.
Illus: Who Moved? I am reminded of a story told about a newlywed couple. When they rode together in the car, the wife would sit so close to her husband that it looked like there was a two-headed driver in the seat. Now, 25 years later, when they go out in the car, the wife sits way over on the other side. One day she looked over longingly at her husband and said with a sigh, "Remem-ber the days when we used to sit so close to each other we looked like a two-headed driver?" The husband looked over at her and quietly said, "Well, Honey, I wasn’t the one who moved." That’s how it is with God. If you’re feeling far away from Him, just remember - He isn’t the one who has moved!
Illus: Oswald Chambers: “Beware if in your personal testimony if you have to hark back to the past and say, “once, so many years ago I walked with Jesus.’ If you are walking in the light, there is no harking back—if you get out of the light, you become a sentimental Christian and live on memories alone. Beware of trying to patch up a present refusal to walk with Jesus by recalling past experiences when you did walk in the light. Whenever the Spirit checks, call a halt and get the thing right, or you will go on grieving Him without knowing it.”
III. THE DISCOVERY (vvs.45b-46a) “They found Him”— This was all that was worth while now, finding the lost boy. That was their main goal to find Him.
1. The search (v. 45b) “They returned to Jerusalem, seeking Him”—They searched up & down, back & forth. It was very thorough as they asked others if they had seen Him.
2. The seriousness (v. 46a) “After three days”—One day out, one day back and one day to find Him. They were very diligent in their search.
3. The satisfaction (v. 46b) “They found Him in the Temple”—They discovered that He had remained behind in the Temple. He was aware of His unique Sonship. It certainly would have been safe there for Him to stay. This was probably on the terrace where members of the Sanhedrin gave public instruction on Sabbaths and feast-days, so probably while the feast was still going on. The rabbis probably sat on benches in a circle. The listeners sat on the ground, among whom was Jesus the boy in a rapture of interest.
Illus: Once, 20 people massed outside a Western Union Telegraph office eager for a job. A sign on the closed door indicated that the interviews would begin shortly, so the candidates were busy with small talk. At 10 a.m., one additional candidate arrived on the scene & took his place at the end of the line. Suddenly he bolted from his position & went past the others thru the closed door of the office. When he emerged a moment later with the telegrapher’s job in hand, the others demanded to know “What gives?” Looking surprised the man said, “I just followed instructions.” With that he put his finger to his mouth till the others quieted. For a moment, all that could be heard was the chirping of the birds & the routine checking of teletype signals drifting thru the open windows of the nearby office. And then, suddenly the sound of the dots & dashes they’d been listening to for hours suddenly came into focus. The signals plainly said: “If you want this job, come on in & it’s yours.”
IV. THE DESTINY (vvs. 46c-52) “ My Father’s business”—This is what He came to do (follow His Father’s will, etc.). This was His purpose for His coming. Jesus knew His mission and desired to be doing it.
1. The action (v. 46c) “both listening…and asking”—Jesus was sitting among the teachers in the Temple. Jesus was in the temple, sitting among the teachers, both listening to them and asking them questions. There is no suggestion of His acting as a know-it-all child, disputing with His elders. Rather He took the place of a normal child, learning in humility and quietness from His teachers. 2. The astonishment (vvs. 47-48a) “astonished… amazed”—The teachers were amazed at the careful attention, insightful questions & wise answers of this boy from Galilee. “His parents didn’t know what to think” (LB). They were beside themselves in amazement. They were struck out of their senses.
3. The anguish (v. 48) “Son, why have you done this?” “Son, why have you done this to us?” (greatly distressed). Yet His mother expressed her accumulated anxiety and irritation by reproving Him. Didn’t He know that they had been worried about Him? What were You thinking?”
4. The answer (v. 49) “I must be about My Father’s business.”—This was a divine compulsion. Jesus’ reply reveals an awareness of His unique relationship with His Heavenly Father. In response to Mary’s question about why He had treated them in this manner, Jesus drew a sharp distinction between them and God, His true Father. His statement confirmed that He knew His mission and that His parents also should have known about His mission. However, His parents did not understand this. His mission was to do the will of the Father. He knew that the things of His Father really mattered.
5. The advancement (vvs. 50-52) “Jesus increased in wisdom and stature”—This glimpse of Jesus forms a kind of bridge between the events connected with His birth & the account of His adult ministry. He continued to grow as He “cuts His way forward” (literal meaning). He was a respectful Son, but One with a mission. Later God stated, “You are My beloved Son.”
CONCLUSION: Before condemning Joseph & Mary, we should remember how easy it is for us to travel a day’s journey, supposing Jesus to be in the company, when actually we have lost contact with Him through unconfessed sin in our lives.
1. You can lose a sense of fellowship with Jesus, but you can’t lose your relationship with Him.
Illus: Salvation is like a marriage, you have the relationship but you have to be diligent to maintain fellowship. There was a couple who had been married for 50 years & someone asked the husband what the secret to a long happy marriage was. He said, “For years, twice a week, my wife & I have gone out to a nice restau-rant for a good meal & clever conversation. I go on Monday nights & she goes on Thursday nights.” They have a relationship, but they don’t have much fellowship.
2. You can lose a sense of Jesus’ presence, even though you were close to Him at one time. Yet his parents did not give up until they had found Him.
3. You can lose your intimacy when you take steps away from Him. Yet this fellowship with Jesus can be restored.
Will you test yourself by this simple rule? Was there ever a time when you were nearer to God than you are now? Was there ever a time when you were more completely absorbed in the Lord’s business? If there was ever a time when you were nearer the Lord than today, you have slid back from that close intimacy with God, from that high place of blessing which you once had.
Illus: Paul Harvey shared on one of his radio programs how an Eskimo hunter kills a wolf. It’s not a pretty story, but it is a perfect illustration about the danger of sin. The Eskimo will take a razor sharp knife and coat the blade with seal blood. He will let that coat of blood freeze, then apply six or seven additional layers until the blade is covered with several inches of frozen blood. He will then plant the knife in the ice with the covered blade sticking up. That’s all he has to do. Later, a hungry wolf follows the scent and comes upon a sniff of the blood. The wolf will be wary and cautious but finally he will chance a lick, then another. Soon the old wolf is licking away without caution. His tongue has gotten numb from licking the frozen blood, and in his feeding frenzy the wolf will lick until, without even realizing it, he slits his own tongue on the blade and is soon dead. You say, “Ugh! How gross!” That’s exactly what happens to a person who walks away from Jesus. At first, they take tentative baby steps into sin. Soon, they are licking away until suddenly they find themselves without the fellowship of Jesus.
Illus: A few years ago in a Chicago paper in the personals column there was a classified ad that ran about like this: "Emma, please come home. Mother is sick and is calling for you. All is forgiven. Dad." We do not know what poor girl had broken the hearts of her father and mother, had gone down in sin with her wild companions so that she felt a stranger at home and thought that they no longer loved her. But whoever she was and wherever she was, they loved her still. The sick mother’s heart could not be comforted without her daughter.
Prepared by: Gerald R. Steffy
6206 N. Hamilton Road, Peoria, IL 61614
Phone: 309/691-3680 or 309/645-3677
E-Mail: grsteffy@yahoo.com for weekly
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