Explore “We’ve Lost The Messiah” to understand Jesus’ human development. Learn from Mary and Joseph’s parenting journey and discover how to nurture your children’s spiritual growth in today’s world.
Mary and Joseph lost their twelve-year-old child. Jesus went to the temple to discuss the scriptures. Where would your child go if you accidentally left them in a similar situation? Would it be church? We’ve lost the Messiah: Jesus’ growth in wisdom and stature and the role of parental guidance.
THE GOSPEL, ACCORDING TO LUKE CHAPTER 2
by Pastor Delbert Young
We’ve Lost The Messiah Luke 2:39-52: How to Raise Children
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Scriptures: Luke 5:24, Luke 2:39-40, Luke 2:41-42, Luke 2:43-45, Luke 2:46-47, Luke 2:48, Luke 2:49-50, Luke 2:51-52, Proverbs 13:24,
We Have Lost The Messiah Luke 2:39-52 sermon video audio
Mary and Joseph lost Jesus, the Messiah. Jesus went to the temple to discuss the scriptures. Where would your child go if you accidentally left them in a similar situation? Who would they talk with? Where would they go knowing that is where you should come looking? Would it be church? Would it be to men and women of God? Certainly, your child would find someone to sit down with to discuss the scriptures, right?
You lose them at Disney World and finally find them next to the gate having Bible study with Mickey and Donald, right? Where do you wish they would go? How have you trained them? Sometimes, we all get a little lost for a few days. Where do we go?
Luke 5:24 But that you may know that the SON OF MAN has authority on earth to forgive sins…” He said to the paralyzed man, “I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.” [NIV]
Son of Man is the title Jesus called himself. We find the phrase eighty-two times in the New Testament, used mainly by Jesus referencing himself. You’ve noticed pictures of Jesus, especially on Christmas cards, where Jesus “glows” as a light bulb. It’s an attempt to magnify and defend Christ’s deity, but in so doing, it tremendously under-emphasizes his humanity. A primary purpose of Luke’s gospel is to emphasize Jesus as the Son of Man, human, as much as he is the Son of God.
Luke 2:39-40 When Joseph and Mary had done everything required by the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee to their own town of Nazareth. AND THE CHILD GREW and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon him.
This verse picks up where we left off last time. Jesus grew like you and me. He learned to feed himself, walk, and talk. Of course, Jesus had to potty. We don’t think about those things, but if he was human, he learned. As much as Jesus was God’s Son, Jesus was Man’s Son. This fact is essential.
We Have Lost The Messiah Luke 2:39-52 sermon video audio
Jesus had a godly mother and an amazingly godly stepfather—I’ve met some surprisingly godly stepfathers. Jesus’ parents ensured their personal and children’s lives were right with God. The result was that the child grew and became strong: he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon him.
Jesus grew up in Nazareth. Today, Nazareth is a large city. At that time, it was one tiny, impoverished area, as we discussed. Mary and Joseph were peasants and likely illiterate, especially Mary, but both Mary and Joseph were wise. Though living in the humblest of ways, Mary and Joseph raised their child to genius. There were no private schools of higher learning in Nazareth. Yet, their child became a highly educated rabbi who spoke so well that he amazed people.
Jesus applied himself to learning, but still, it’s phenomenal the job and apparent sacrifice Mary and Joseph made as parents to provide for their children’s physical, mental, and spiritual growth. They made it happen for their children in their environment and with their income and education. How precious is that?
A word for you young people:
Apply yourself to learn. Your parents are sacrificing so you can learn. I didn’t realize the sacrifice until I became a parent. Utilize their sacrifice to improve yourself and to position your future. They don’t want a “thank you.” They want to see you take what they gave as sacrifice and make your life great.
One more thing, the older you get, the more difficult it becomes to learn. When young, the mind is a sponge. It absorbs everything – sounds, words, everything. At forty, the mind is more like a block of wood. You have to pound or drill everything into it. By the time you’re sixty, unless you work hard at it as I’ve tried, the mind becomes a brick. Maybe you can drill something in without it cracking, but you never know. Knowledge, nor wisdom, happens by accident. Learn.
We Have Lost The Messiah Luke 2:39-52 sermon video audio
Luke tells us much in a short time about Jesus in his young years. He was healthy. Jesus grew physically to be strong. Moreover, he grew mentally to the apex of mental learning and wisdom, which filled Jesus. Jesus grew spiritually as the grace of God was upon him. He did this not in the best of conditions. Luke tells us Jesus applied himself and his parents sacrificed to make it happen.
Luke 2:41-42 Every year his PARENTS went to Jerusalem for the Feast of the Passover. When he was twelve years old, they went up to the Feast, according to the custom.
This story is fantastic about Jesus when he was young; only Luke tells it. I think Mary told Luke the story while Luke was investigating (Luke 1:3), but not many would have known this story.
Again, we see Mary and Joseph’s dedication and devotion to God, not only when Jesus was a baby. He was then twelve. The Law of Moses required that every male travel to Jerusalem to worship for the Feast of the Passover. Mary and Joseph went as parents. They worshiped together. That’s important.
However, one parent is better than none for the family, the children, the marriage, and for themselves. I’ve learned over the years if one parent is faithful, eventually, the other parent will come. God will make sure of that, so don’t give up. Also, today, we have many single parents. The same thing applies. One of the best things a single parent can do is keep their children before the Lord. God will help take care of the rest.
Passover was when the Passover lamb was slain and eaten by the family.
Joseph took his family every year. This journey was a hardship. You think it’s tough loading up your bunch on Sunday morning and driving to church (bless your heart). Joseph and Mary had at least seven children, five boys and at least two girls (Mark 6:3), plus themselves.
They walked at least 80 miles with seven kids, and they did this every year. Passover was in March or April. It was still very cool weather. Plus, there would be some rain and some sickness. This trip was expensive; it took about a week to get to Jerusalem. There was a week and a week to get back. It was a costly hardship. However, Mary and Joseph valued and taught their children to value.
We Have Lost The Messiah Luke 2:39-52 sermon video audio
How do we teach our children the value of worship and faithfulness to the things of God?
Do we teach them that it’s often a hardship to get to worship, but we are going nonetheless, and we are going as a family? Do we teach them it might seem expensive to tithe and give offerings, but God said he would supply? And do we teach them, I’m tired, but we will ascend into worship and praise? What is your level of dedication and devotion to the Lamb of God?
Luke 2:43-45 After the Feast was over, while his parents were returning home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but they were unaware of it. Thinking he was in their company, they traveled on for a day. Then they began looking for him among their relatives and friends. When they did not find him, they went back to Jerusalem to look for him.
Jesus stressed out his parents just like you stressed out your parents. He never sinned, but he did cause his parents stress. Let’s experience this for a moment. You are from LaFayette, Ringgold, Summerville, Rock Spring, and Cloudland (small towns). Imagine you visit New York City and you lose your child, your first and oldest child. Have you ever lost a child?
We were at a fireworks celebration last Fourth of July. Five-year-old Michael Lance, one of our grandsons, turned up missing. His parents thought he was with relatives or friends, just as Mary did, but he wasn’t. You know what goes through a parent’s mind—predators!
We think the child is lost, crying, and feeling rejected and unloved. Every parent and grandparent knows the horror of a lost child. It’s panic! Everyone in our group took off quickly to find Michael Lance. Of course, as hoped, Michael Lance was fine, calm as he could be, enjoying life as is his temperament, wondering why everyone was upset.
We Have Lost The Messiah Luke 2:39-52 sermon video audio
I won’t point you out, but some of you have come here to church, left, gotten home, and realized you left a child at Jerusalem.
That’s what happened to Joseph and Mary, except it was New York City. You can imagine how it would have been. One would say, “Where’s Jesus?” The other would say, “I don’t know. I thought he was with you.” “No, he is not with me. I thought you had him.” “Oh my God! (literally) We’ve lost the Messiah!” So, they hurried back frantically to Jerusalem, looking for him.
Luke 2:46-47 AFTER THREE DAYS they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. Everyone who heard him was AMAZED at his UNDERSTANDING AND HIS ANSWERS.
Three days! The teachers stationed themselves in the temple court. Students came, listened, and asked questions. They would discuss and dialogue about complex and challenging scriptures. There was a twelve-year-old from Nazareth who amazed everyone who heard him with his understanding and his answers.
The Greek word is existemi {ex-is’-tay-mee} meaning to throw out of position, displace, to put out of wits, i.e., become astounded, insane. It was insane how sharp the child was. He threw them off. He messed with them. Can you imagine that instead of the student asking the scholars how to interpret scripture, the scholars asking a student for interpretation?
Imagine perfect interpretation every time on every scripture. Who would that not amaze?
Luke 2:48 When his parents saw him, they were astonished. His mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you.”
We Have Lost The Messiah Luke 2:39-52 sermon video audio
What would you have said? Why were his parents astonished? Joseph and Mary were not accustomed to Jesus doing anything like this. He had always been the perfect child.
It had been three days. “Where is Jesus? Is he eating? Is he warm? Or is he even alive?” Mary and Joseph were anxious, stressed, and worried beyond belief. I don’t imagine Mary said that sweetly. Jesus wasn’t crying, upset, or feeling forsaken. He was calmly sitting and talking about the word of God. At twelve years old, Jesus was as calm as could be. He was a cool, calm dude. I suppose he told the teachers, “My parents left me. I’ll stay at the temple and wait for them to return.” I’d imagine a teacher took him home until his parents arrived.
Luke 2:49-50 “Why were you searching for me?” he asked. “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?” But they DID NOT UNDERSTAND what he was saying to them.
Jesus said you should know where I would be. Why stress and be anxious? Didn’t you know I HAD TO BE in my Father’s house? THOSE ARE THE FIRST WORDS OF JESUS RECORDED IN THE BIBLE.
Where would your child go if you accidentally left them in a similar situation? Who would they talk with? Where would they go knowing that is where you should come looking? Would it be church? Would it be to men and women of God? Undoubtedly, your child would find someone to sit down with to discuss the scriptures, right? You lose them at Disney World and finally see them next to the gate having Bible study with Mickey and Donald, right? Where do you wish they would go? How have you trained them?
It said Mary and Joseph didn’t understand what he was saying to them. Young people, do you ever feel your parents don’t understand you? How many of us parents felt our parents didn’t understand us? That’s ok. Just do what they tell you, and you will be fine. That’s what I did, well, most of the time. That’s what Jesus did every time.
We Have Lost The Messiah Luke 2:39-52 sermon video audio
Even though Mary and Joseph had angelic visitations concerning Jesus and who he was and knew he was an unusual child, precisely who he was seems somewhat foreign and cloudy to them.
They didn’t understand that boy. But, when you think about it, it had to be that way. Imagine knowing you are raising God – Immanuel. How do you tell God to take out the trash? How do you ask God to watch your brothers and sisters while you go to the store, and how do you tell God to help you fix this roof? Furthermore, how do you tell your other children your brother is God? “Mom! Will you tell Jesus to stop acting like God?” Father God had to somewhat protect Joseph, Mary, the family, and neighbors from getting the whole picture.
However, many parents treat their children like they are God. The child tells the parents what to do. They have no duties. They are disobedient, and they get anything they want. How does parenting work in your home?
Luke 2:51-52 Then he went down to Nazareth with them and WAS OBEDIENT TO THEM. But his mother treasured all these things in her heart. And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.
Jesus, Immanuel, the Messiah, obeyed them – Mary, Joseph, his mother, and stepfather. How precious is that! Here is the creator of all things submitting himself to his parents and Nazareth’s poverty. It wasn’t only at age twelve. He continued being obedient to them until he went into his ministry.
We Have Lost The Messiah Luke 2:39-52 sermon video audio
Parents, your children should obey you. If they don’t and get by with it, it’s a sin – both for them and you (Pro 22:6). Train up your child.
Proverbs 13:24 He who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is careful to discipline him.
God expects you to discipline your children. It’s for their good. That’s a command. Ephesians 6:1-4 instructs children to obey their parents to lengthen life. If it was right for Jesus to be obedient, it is suitable for your children. How does this work in your home?
Jesus grew in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and men. There’s that conjunction “and” in verse 52. I’ve yet to see a child who was obedient to his parents and did not have favor with God and the people.
Luke summarized the next eighteen years of Christ’s life in thirteen words. He was the boy you wish was your children’s best friend. He would have been a significant influence.
Young people, Jesus knows what it’s like to grow up. He knows what it’s like to have parents who don’t understand him. However, if you obey your parents, God will exalt you, your life will be great, and people will like you.
Parents, commit yourselves to God’s ways.
We Have Lost The Messiah Luke 2:39-52 sermon video audio
Be devoted to God even when it is hard. Be godly and a godly example for your children. If you will, you can rest when you can’t see them. They will be with godly people. Raise your children in the ways of God. Discipline your children quickly. Take it from us. You will be very proud of them now and later.
We are all God’s children. When lost, let’s all go to Father’s house. People can find us there. People should know where we have to be if they want to find us. Let’s all be about our Father’s business.
We Have Lost The Messiah Luke 2:39-52 sermon video audio
We Have Lost The Messiah Luke 2:39-52 sermon video audio
Other Related Sermons:
Are You God Messiah or Not Luke 7:18-20: How to Face Doubt
Gospel of Luke Chapter 1 video audio sermon notes
Keys Of Successful Parenting Audio
Are You God Messiah or Not? Luke 7:18-20
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