Luke 2:40-45

This year we are covering the four Gospel Accounts together in chronological order.

In the previous post, we covered Matthew 2:15,19-23. Here was the conclusion:

After Herod died, an angel told Joseph to return to Israel. Joseph settled in Nazareth.


Luke 2
"40 And the child grew, and waxed strong, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him."

(This verse marked the passing of time from Jesus' being taken into Egypt until His return and reaching the age of twelve years old. Jesus was filled with Wisdom. Wisdom is the making of a good decision (action). Wisdom is a Right HOW. Notice, the grace of God was upon him. This cannot mean "unmerited favor". First, any favor Jesus had was merited...He was fully God. Second, "unmerited favor" is given in response to sin. If a person believes grace is "unmerited favor", then he would interpret this verse as proving Jesus sinned. Jesus did not sin. "Unmerited favor" is a man-made doctrine created by Martin Luther and it does not exist according to the Bible. Grace is "the divine influence upon the heart, and its reflection in the life". The reflection in the life is Wisdom.)

"41 And his parents went every year to Jerusalem at the feast of the passover.
42 And when he was twelve years old, they went up after the custom of the feast;"

(These two verses showed that Jesus was raised according to The Law. Remember, a boy born in Israel memorized the Torah until he was twelve years old. At twelve, he was supposed to begin memorizing the rest of the Old Testament and looking for a Rabbi to study under. At fifteen years old, he was supposed to begin studying under a Rabbi until he "graduated" at thirty years old. If a Rabbi did not accept him, he usually learned his father's trade. Twelve years old was the first time a boy could participate in the passover in Jerusalem.)

"43 and when they had fulfilled the days, as they were returning, the boy Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and his parents knew it not;
44 but supposing him to be in the company, they went a day's journey; and they sought for him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance:
45 and when they found him not, they returned to Jerusalem, seeking for him."

(Mary and Joseph returned towards Nazareth. Even though they didn't see Jesus come with them, they assumed he was with the rest of the people in their group. At twelve years old, Jesus was considered to be responsible for Himself...and His parents treated Him this way. However, after a day's journey they realized Jesus was not with them. They returned to Jerusalem to look for Him.)


CONCLUSION
Jesus was raised according to The Law and participated in His first passover at twelve years old. He stayed in Jerusalem when Joseph and Mary left.

Next Post