Series: Biblical Cities- Jerusalem [#20]
JERUSALEM- 12 YEAR OLD JESUS
Matthew 23:37
Introduction:
We are continuing in our Series about the most mentioned City in the Bible- Jerusalem.
Matthew 23:37
We have studied the beginning of Jerusalem, the building and destruction and rebuilding of the Temple, and the rebuilding of the City, walls, and gates. We do not hear anything about Jerusalem between the Old Testament and the New Testament; but the Romans had come into the region. The Roman Government and the Jewish Religious Leaders ran the City. This was the environment of Jerusalem in the days that Jesus was on this Earth.
This evening, we are going to look at an important event that happened in the life of Jesus in Jerusalem during His childhood. The Bible does not say much about Jesus’ childhood. The Bible does tell us about the conception and birth of Jesus; His dedication at the Temple; His family fleeing to Egypt when He was 2 years old; and His staying behind at the Temple when He was 12 years old. 2 of these things happened in Jerusalem.
Those who are looking to find wrong in the Bible try to use this passage of Scripture to say that Jesus sinned as a 12 year boy. We must remember that Jesus was not born into the nature of sin because His Father is God. Therefore, Jesus did not sin when He responded to His parents about what He was doing. If Jesus sinned 1 time in His entire life, then we are doomed.
Luke 2:41-44
1. Joseph and Mary focused on the Jewish customs.
Jesus’ parents went to the Passover feast held in Jerusalem, taking Jesus along; and when they left Jerusalem, Jesus decided that He was not going with them. His parents went an entire day’s journey before they even realized that He was missing; and if we look ahead to verse 46, we see that it was actually 3 days before they found Him in the Temple.
Joseph and Mary went to Jerusalem every year because that is what Joseph was supposed to do. Mary did not have to go; but was allowed to if she wanted to. They followed the same routine every year. We do not know if Jesus went every year; but since He was 12, they definitely took Him. A Jewish boy was considered to become a man at age 13- They wanted Jesus to understand His religious duty.
When Joseph and Mary left Jerusalem, they were traveling with a large group of people; and just believed that Jesus was traveling with someone else. When they began to look for Jesus, they assumed He was following the proper routines- They never thought that He would stay behind in Jerusalem.
This is a reminder that following religious rituals is not enough. If we focus on going through the motions, we may walk away from Jesus and not realize it for days or even longer. Going through the emotions is not enough.
Luke 2:45-49
2. Jesus focused on the Father’s business.
Mary and Joseph finally realized that Jesus was missing, and they returned to Jerusalem searching for Him. When they found Jesus, He was sitting inside the Temple, asking questions to the Teachers of the Law.
Luke 2:48-49
Jesus reminded them that He came down from Heaven to do what God the Father had prepared Him to do. We do not see Jesus again in Scripture until He was 30 years old. Jesus was sitting there asking these Religious Scholars questions that they could not answer. At this point, Jesus was not officially teaching them; but He really was with the questions that He asked.
What is the Father’s business? It is to share the Gospel with those around us. We are to teach them the Word of God and lead them to the Savior. In looking at Jesus, we see that He listened, asked questions, and answered them. This is a good model for sharing the Gospel. We need to be willing to listen to a person’s heart, showing our genuine care and concern. Then, we should ask questions to cause them to think about their life and where it is going. Then, we should teach the person what the Bible has to say about Christ and repentance.
Conclusion:
What is your focus? Are you following traditions or truth?
