All posts by Simon Twist

Luke 2:41-52

Didn’t you know…?

Context

We come to the last account of Jesus’ childhood years and the end of chapter 2 of Luke. We’ve listened to Gabriel announce to Mary that Israel’s king and saviour is coming (1:26ff). We read of the yet-to-be-born John bouncing in Elizabeth’s womb because he was in the presence of the yet-to-be-born Jesus (1:39ff)! We’ve listened to Mary respond with songs of praise for all that God has done, all that he promises to do and all that he is fulfilling in her time (1:46ff). We pictured a night sky lit up by angels singing glory to God (2:8ff). The shepherds who witnessed this then raced to Bethlehem to see the baby born and spread the word of this child. Mary and Joseph heard what the shepherds said about their baby and Mary treasured all of these things in her heart and pondered them (2:19). Mary and Joseph presented Jesus to the Lord and watched as a devout Jew named Simeon took Jesus and praised God for sending his salvation and light into the world. Jesus’ parents marveled at what was said about him (2:33). Simeon then prophesied to Mary concerning her and her son (2:34-35). Lastly, Anna the prophet spoke in the presence of Mary and Joseph about this special child who will bring redemption to Jerusalem (2:36-38). We arrive now at the final instalment of Mary and Joseph with Jesus as a child.

Observation

Structure

  • 41-43 Open scene – The annual family visit to Jerusalem
  • 43-45 The lost child
  • 46-48 Finding Jesus
  • 49-50 The lost parents
  • 51-52 Close scene – Jesus: Bloke Worth Watching

41-43 Open Scene – the annual family visit to Jerusalem

“Every year…Festival of the Passover” Deuteronomy 16:1-8 describes the essential why and how of Passover. It is an annual celebration remembering the rescue of the Jews from Egypt (see Exodus 12). An animal is to be sacrificed and eaten along with unleavened bread. Verse 5 and 6 “Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem…” Deuteronomy 16:5-6 make it clear that you may not choose anywhere to celebrate the Passover but only in the place that God chooses for his name to dwell. This was wherever the Tabernacle was while in the wilderness and later in the Temple in Jerusalem.

“When he was twelve years old…” This verse simply gives us a timeline reference. It was the family’s custom to do this and this was the twelfth or thirteenth time they had done this with Jesus. The story is giving us nothing unusual for Joseph’s family at this point. Nothing to see here.

“…while his parents were returning home…” Note the word ‘parents’ here used instead of their names since this is a theme of this story. Compare with the use of the word ‘son’ in verse 48.

“…the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem…” Here is where the story takes a turn. It was their custom to go home once the festival was over and they surely would have talked as a family with the knowledge that this was the plan. Being a twelve year old boy, Jesus would have presumably had some level of independence within the family structure. Meaning that he can dress himself and feed himself and organise himself to be ready when the time to leave is at hand.

43-45 The lost child

“…but they were unaware of it. Thinking he was in their company…” This is the problem in the story structure. And it will turn out to be a clue to the reason for this story being included in the gospel. Jesus is destined to shake up Israel and Mary and Joseph have been reminded of this for twelve years now. This statement of being unaware of his absence means what it says but it will lead us to the lesson of not presuming we have Jesus all worked out. This lesson will expand as the story continues.

“…they travelled for a day. Then they began looking for him among their relatives and friends.” Mary and Joseph travelled for so long because they had the impression that Jesus was somewhere in the caravan of travellers.

“When they did not find him, they went back to Jerusalem to look for him.” It appears like just a transitional sentence to tell us what they did next but in the detail is the message that Joseph and Mary still have no clue where they think he should be. We will forgive them for their lack of knowledge since we would probably have been just as vague as they were but the story is telling us that they have narrowed his search down to an entire city.

46-48 Finding Jesus

“After three days they found him in the temple courts…” Supporting the previous paragraph. They either spent three days walking around Jerusalem seeking him or it was the third day since they left Jerusalem. Either way, they spent more than 48 hours looking around Jerusalem for their son. This must have been traumatic for them. But again, the main point and meaning of this passage will not be about the disobedience of Jesus but of Jesus beginning to separate from his parents in preparation for serving his heavenly Father. Three days does make me think of the resurrection but perhaps a stretch to make too much out of that. It is better to say that it is a familiar bible narrative technique that resolution or answers are found on the third day.

“…the temple courts…” Lookup any study bible for an image of the temple in Jerusalem to visualise the temple courts which surrounded the temple proper. These were gathering places for schools and debates. It is a practical place to meet in relation to worship, teaching and Jewish life without venturing into the more inner sanctified areas of the temple.

“…sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. Everyone who heard him was amazed…” It’s a wonderful picture of Jesus discussing all manner of things with the teachers of the law (Old Testament teachers) without quarrel. How amazing it was for a little child to interact with Israel’s teachers 18 years before Jesus began his public ministry. He asked questions and gave replies also. His manner seems to be of reflective listening and gently pointing out clearer understandings of the Old Testament. What we must gather from this is not only a superior mind for understanding but also a growing mind which is putting things together. Questions about Jesus’ personal development come to mind and they are questions we can only guess at. It is likely that he learned just as all of us do, however, he grew in his understanding of who he is. What of Jesus’ omnipotence as God you might ask? This is part of the humiliation of God in becoming man. While eternally God, he became man and had to learn as we do.

“When his parents saw him, they were astonished.” What was it that astonished them? We may think it is where they found him or that he was interacting so intelligently and on par with the mature teachers but the answer is probably to do with finding him apparently unaware that he has been missed.

“Son, why have you treated us like this?” Finally we come to some spoken words in the story and this is where we usually find the author’s purpose. They call him son which is a fact but reminds the reader that they are parenting Jesus. That is, it reminds us that the subject of this story is about Jesus’ relationship to his parents and how he begins to separate from them. Now, they are baffled as to why Jesus would simply abandon their side and not even be concerned about reuniting with them. Mary and Joseph have been his parents for twelve years and were not preparing themselves for what God sent him to earth to do.

“Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you.” Again, the relationship of father and son or parent and son is central to this story.

49-50 The lost parents

“Why were you searching for me?” Jesus asks a question which does sound a bit rude to the people who have raised him. But while the story has shown us Jesus physically separated from Mary and Joseph, we now hear his language in separating in his identity from them. This would be a difficult process for Joseph and Mary to begin to go through but it was always a burden that they would one day bear and it is gracious for God to begin to teach them this lesson 18 years before he eventually departs from them.

“Didn’t you know…?” Clearly they didn’t know. The day will come, Mary, when your son will have to do what he was destined to do. As Simeon said, “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed and a sword will pierce your own soul too (2:34-35).

“…I had to be in my Father’s house?” It is a strange conclusion to think that his parents ought to know this. But while his parents did not expect this for a second, it is no less the truth and they are learning this lesson today. Jesus’ true Father is the Almighty God who blessed Israel and declared to dwell with them in this temple. To show that Jesus was not a new religion but a fulfillment of the old, this is where Yahweh will come to teach and bring people into God’s kingdom.

“But they did not understand what he was saying to them.” Well, this is going to happen a lot to the audiences of Jesus. He was not just an amazing man who stood out from the crowd. Rather, he is from out of this world and the things he had to say did not so much as critique the words of others but rebuke and correct and challenge everything about what we had formally known. It is true for every Christian as we read God’s word that we often do not see clearly what is being said to us straight away.

This story is not so much about Jesus being in the Temple nor is it a cute insight into the early days of Jesus but is a lesson for Mary and Joseph to be prepared for their boy to go away.

51-52 Close scene – Jesus: Bloke Worth Watching

“Then he went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them.” We see here the compassion and patience of our Lord to humbly follow Mary and Joseph and respect them as he continues to grow. What a little image of Jesus’ humility! How often is it that you choose to humble yourself out of love and submit to someone whom you know to be misguided?

“But his mother treasured all these things in her heart.” I do wonder whether Luke had direct access to Mary to research his work in these two opening chapters. We have been told frequently about what Mary saw, or heard and treasured and pondered (eg, 2:19). At the end of this story, we see the lesson is for Mary and Joseph to expect Jesus to be here for his heavenly Father’s purposes and yet the story closes with Mary still pondering it all. While Jesus submitted to Mary to follow her home, the events of this story did not get lost on her.

“And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.” We do not have any further credible accounts of Jesus’ growing years but for this simple summary statement. The Son of God grew up in the household of two imperfect parents such that God [the Father] blessed him and his fellow man respected him. As Christians, we shall expect suffering and some level of persecution and feel like fish swimming against the flow but there is no reason we cannot impress our fellow man through love and charity, patience and kindness, patience and love. Jesus was the perfect human – and this is necessary for his sacrifice to mean anything.

Meaning

The son of Joseph and Mary was destined to lead Israel into the true kingdom of God. He called the Temple of God his Father’s house. He displayed an amazing understanding of the word of God. He grew into an impressive man of God in every way. But Mary and Joseph must be ready to let their son be exactly who he is. “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?” We can be impressed by Jesus. We can boast that he is for us. But we cannot restrain him or presume to tame him.

Application

  • Topic A: The difference between knowing about Jesus and knowing Jesus. It is one thing to be an expert in the gospels and the rest of the bible but quite another level to know God and know Jesus. Meditating on God’s word rather than simply reading it and moving on is one way of growing in this way. Becoming engaged beyond knowing the content of the bible and to grow and awe and wonder at the person who stands behind it all.
  • Topic B: Growing in Christian maturity. Similar to the first application point but pushing the idea of not settling with what you know. Mary and Joseph had become accustomed to their relationship with Jesus and seemed almost to assume it would stay that way. Christians will grow in their relationship with God when they bring God into every conscious aspect of their life. We will continue to learn to relate to him in the way that he deserves and not simply in the way that we would like to.
  • Topic C: Being clear about what is important in life. Jesus knew his destiny was in bringing the light of God and salvation to the world and yet he showed great patience and humility to do this. It is not enough for us to know what we need to do but also how we do it! While Jesus was in the right to abandon his earthly parents, he chose to submit to them for a while longer. This is not an invitation to simply cruise through life waiting for things to happen for us but to see the balance between knowing and discovering our work and then pursuing it with grace and wisdom.

Prayer of the Week

Heavenly Father, thank you for all that we know about Jesus, your Son, our Saviour and Lord. Please help us to follow him, to know him and to love him. We praise you for the patience you have with us as we struggle to understand exactly who you are and what you plan for us to do. Amen.

Luke 2:1-7

The Time Came for the Baby to be Born

Context

Luke chapter 1 contains the backdrop to the coming of Jesus into this world. It contains plenty of Old Testament fulfillment comments, priests and descendants of David, an angel and two great prophecies – but no Messiah. Mary was promised to be the mother of Jesus. She is a young Jewish girl living in an unimportant town in Galilee. She is betrothed to a man named Joseph. Mary accepted this privilege by saying that she is the Lord’s humble servant.

Chapter 1 concluded with Zechariah’s prophecy of the Messiah. He will come from the house of David, to save Israel from her enemies. He will be a rising sun from heaven to shine on this dark world and make clear the path of peace.

Observation

These 7 verses contain no dialogue. They paint the landscape for the birth of Jesus from the highest people in power to the lowliest servants unable to even score a room among relatives.

Structure

  • 1-3 What Kings do
  • 4-5 What Servants do
  • 6-7 The Quiet Arrival of God’s King

1-3 What Kings do

“In those days…” These would be the days of chapter 1. At the time of John’s arrival.

“Caesar Augustus issued a decree…” Luke gives us some historic data to work with (see Luke 3:1). It’s good to remember that the Christian faith is based on real times and places with real people and is therefore able to be affirmed or disproved. Caesar Augustus was the first Emperor of Rome and great-nephew to Julius Caesar. Like many or all of the emperors, he held the status of ‘son of God’ and the bringer of peace. Without knowing this, and only relying on Luke’s account, we can easily see that Caesar Augustus had power over the whole Roman world and wished to know exactly who was in his kingdom. He was a powerful man and able to order Joseph and Mary.

“This was the first census…” The exact year of this census is unclear since there is little cross-reference material in history to check it against. It’s probable that it was between 6-4 B.C. Josephus talks of a census by Quirinius in 6 A.D. but this is possibly a different census.

“And everyone went to their own town to register.” Here is the backdrop to the birth of Jesus. Augustus the Great was ordering everyone in his kingdom to go and be counted. And the world listened. He is a king established through power-struggle, battle, and political agenda. One of his ‘subjects’ will be born a King because he is.

4-5 What Servants do

“So Joseph went…” The king ordered and so Joseph went.

“…to Bethlehem the town of David…” We already know that Joseph is from the line of David (Luke 1:27) and that the coming redeemer of Israel will come from the house of David (Luke 1:69). Now we have the descendant of David reunited with the birthplace of David. Joseph goes back to the town where Israel’s King is born.

Bethlehem is 9km South of Jerusalem. It is the town where Jacob’s wife Rachel was buried (Genesis 35:19). The story of Ruth and Boaz centres around the town of Bethlehem and they became the grandparents of David. Micah 5:2 proclaims that the Messiah will come out of Bethlehem.

“He went to register with Mary…” So, in only 5 verses, Luke has relocated Mary and Joseph from Nazareth to Bethlehem and confirmed finally that Mary is with child. Just as Mary is the humble servant of the Lord, she is the humble servant of Caesar.

6-7 The Quiet Arrival of God’s King

“…the time came for the baby to be born…” Just reflect on how simply and inconspicuously the saviour of mankind enters the world! Luke has been priming us for the arrival of the Messiah and when he comes it is just another baby born into the world.

“…she gave birth to her firstborn, a son.” This baby is human and the loved child of Mary. These remarks are simple but important to Mary, as with any new mother. Her son has been born. To any onlooker, this would just be another child, but the reader, Theophilus, knows who this child is.

“She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger…” This baby, the saviour who will take away the sins of the world, is cared for by his mother. What an amazing baby she had held and fed and gone through labour for. With all the great history of the Old Testament – Moses and the prophets writing about the coming redeemer – and here he is in the arms of a poor little girl. And he has no bed to lie in.

“…there was no guest room available for them.” Or ESV: “…there was no place for them in the inn.” The Bible Background Commentary (IVP) provides a helpful conclusion that Mary and Joseph were likely staying with relatives but that so many relatives had returned to Bethlehem that there was no space left in the guest room. The traditional story of inn-keepers turning Joseph away is a fun one but based on an uncertain translation.

Meaning

The fulfillment of God’s promises and his kingdom of redemption comes subtly and humbly. Humble parents bringing the child of promise into a world of little certainty. Augustine fought for his reign and measured his success on the size of his kingdom. Mary and Joseph could not secure a crib even among relatives. But the baby of promise came.

Application

  • God shows no favouritism. With the contrast between the rulers of the world and Joseph and Mary, God selected virtual ‘nobodies’ to bring the King of Kings into the world! This is a truth echoed in Acts 10:34 and in James 2. He welcomes all to come to his kingdom and he displays no favouritism toward the rich and powerful. Like Luke 1:48, God is mindful of the humble. Let us not show favouritism.
  • God shows humility. Philippians 2:5-11 gives the nature of Jesus’ incarnation as an explicit example of true humility. In what ways does the poem in Philippians exalt humility?
  • Counting our blessings. Mary and Joseph were far from home, close to the bottom of the social food-chain, and making use of animal food troughs for a crib. And yet they looked after the treasure that God had given to them. They held in their hands the only important thing in the world – salvation. Colossians 2:6-7 points the Christian pathway toward an overflowing of thankfulness. How can you put aside your hardships and give thanks to God for the good things he has done and is doing? Is salvation at the forefront of your mind when you think of praise points?

Prayer of the Week

Father God, help us to be thankful for the things you have done. For bringing peace into this world through your Son and for letting us carry the good news in this world, we give you thanks and praise. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.

Luke 1:57-80

The Lord has come to his people and redeemed them

Context

Luke has been interested in the great detail and backstory of the birth of Jesus. The angel Gabriel first came to an old priest named Zechariah and told him his wife, Elizabeth, would have a baby to be named John. Then Elizabeth’s cousin Mary was visited by the same angel to be told that she will give birth to the Christ to be named Jesus. When the two miracle mothers got together there was crying and praising God and Mary spoke poetically about God’s mercy in remembering his promises to Israel.

We come now to the birth episode of John which also contains a prophesy by Zechariah. He had been made silent because of his unbelief. Now his mouth will be opened with inspiration from the Holy Spirit.

Observation

This section has a narrative layout like Luke 1:5-25 but with an extended prophecy just before the close of the story. The turning point of the story is with Zechariah. Just as he had shown doubt to be the key to the first story, he now displays belief with praises to God. Verses 67-79 may have been the very words he spoke in verse 64.

Structure

  • 57-58 The beginning of John’s birth story
    • 59 The problem of John’s birth story
      • 60-64 The Solution – John is named John
    • 65-66 The response to his name
        • 67-75 Zechariah prophecies about Jesus
        • 76-79 Zechariah prophecies about John
  • 80 The end of John’s birth story

This section closes off the first chapter of Luke and while Luke did not place chapter numbers in his original script, we see this whole chapter as a build up to the opening of chapter 2 when the Messiah comes into the world. Jesus is not the main character of any of chapter 1 and yet his coming is the central theme.

57-58 The beginning of John’s birth story

“…she gave birth to a son.” These verses orient the reader to what is about to take place. The occasion is the birth of her son and this section is concluded in verse 80 with the summary of her child growing up. Over nine months her friends and family had come to grips with an old lady being blessed with a child and they were happy for her. Again, we are simply brought up to date with the characters and climate of the story – the scene is set.

59 The problem of John’s birth story

“…came to circumcise the child…” As per Jewish law and tradition (Genesis 17:12; Leviticus 12:3).

“…they were going to name him…Zechariah…” Theophilus knows that the child was meant to be named John (Luke 1:13) and so as he gets to this part of the story, he hears the problem. It would seem best to give him a family name but Zechariah was not the name told to the father and the father was unable to speak anything to correct it.

60-64 John is named John

“…but his mother spoke up…” The problem is amplified with the discussion between Elizabeth and the people. She wanted John but the people argued their case also.

“…they made signs to his father…” either they made the common human mistake of thinking that mute people can’t hear either or Zechariah had also lost his hearing – perhaps with age. This is likely.

“His name is John.” Zechariah, who had shown doubt and faltering in his first scene, now comes through with the goods. Short and to the point. John means “God (Yahweh) is gracious”.

“Immediately his mouth was opened…” Luke 1:20 prophesied that Zechariah would be unable to speak until the baby was born and named John. Here the prophecy is fulfilled. Amazingly, the first thing he does is praise God with his tongue and prophecy about Jesus and John, the two miracle babies.

65-66 The response to his name

“Everyone who heard this wondered about it…” Wrapped in a visual prophecy is the spoken prophecy. The people had been observing Elizabeth and Zechariah for nine months now and witnessed a strange event with the opening of Zechariah’s mouth. They could be amazed at that since it was a very strange thing. But the words spoken by Zechariah make up the ‘song’ of verses 67-79. They, therefore, had all the words of his prophecy to wonder about rather than just temporal muteness, aged childbirth and a strange name.

67-75 Zechariah prophecies about Jesus

“…filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied…” What he speaks in verses 67-79 is inspired and revealed by the Holy Spirit. He was taken up by the moment and the Spirit used this occasion to pronounce precise truths about the two babies we have been hearing about.

Verses 68 to 70 contain words like “redeemed” and “salvation” which embrace the New Testament proclamation of why Jesus came – to save people from their sins. But verses 71 to 75 have a very Old Testament flavour where we expect Israel to regain power and peace among the nations – no longer in fear of others but free to serve Yahweh unhindered. This saviour seems to be a conqueror for the favour of Abraham’s descendants.

There is no conflict, however, since there is no such conflict between the Old and New Testament. Zechariah uses language that he understands as fulfillment to the promises made to Abraham and yet they are true also of our Lord and Saviour. He did bring grace and peace from God to the true people of Israel. All who stand opposed to God’s people are promised to be dealt with in judgement while those who run to the redeemer are saved from sin and death. The greatest enemy to be destroyed is death itself. Lookup and listen to Jesus’ own use of the term ‘enemies’ in Luke 6:35; 10:19; 19:27,43; and 20:43.

To appreciate the non-contradiction here, a course like “God’s Big Picture” is invaluable.

76-79 Zechariah prophecies about John

In these verses we have the prophecy of John who will be a prophet of the Most High (God). Here we see language again of “forgiveness of sins” and “mercy of our God”. John’s calling will be to give people the knowledge of salvation. Luke chapter 3 describes the words and ministry of John the Baptist who “exhorted the people and proclaimed the good news to them.” (Luke 3:20).

John will prepare the way for the Lord – to give people knowledge of salvation which means sins forgiven.

Sins forgiven come from the mercy of God as the light of the world comes to shine in the darkness. The world as we know it lives in the shadows of death but God is bringing salvation – proclaimed and prepared by John – and to be received by the people.

Zechariah has come a long way from doubt and uncertainty. He now proclaims the goodness and mercy of God to be fulfilled by his son in proclamation of the Sun! This mute man can now speak and he talks of light shining in the darkness.

80 The end of John’s birth story

This transitional sentence to close off this segment tells us in brief that John went on to be devoted to God. Luke will leave John the son of Zechariah until chapter 3. Luke, remember, is writing about events that have been retold hundreds of times by people and John’s ministry was not done in secret – he was a public figure and well known in Israel.

Meaning

Knowledge about salvation and confidence in God’s mercy are key to the kingdom of God. Zechariah appears now to have no doubt about what is happening. What he proclaims now is that God has come to bring salvation and his son will prepare the way by reminding everyone of God’s promises and the need to desire holiness and righteousness. God continues to fulfill his word and Luke continues to underscore the real life events of his salvation plan.

Application

  • List all the promises declared by Zechariah in verses 67 to 79 and discuss how they are a reality now and how John and Jesus have changed the world that we know. Which realities do you take for granted and which do you think are still to be fulfilled?
  • Discuss the connections between the Old Testament and the New. Some in your group may be very familiar with how the Old and New testaments complement one another. How would you explain the relationship between the two to an outsider?
  • Pray through Zechariah’s prophesy in your group to simply praise God for his redemption, salvation and light shone into this dark world.

Prayer of the Week

Lord and God, thank you for coming into this dark world to show us your truth. We praise you for Jesus and we thank you for John and Zechariah who prepared the way for your Son. Help us to speak of your salvation and love so that we may guide others to the path of peace. Amen.