-LIFE OF CHRIST - PERIOD OF PREPARATION

-Jesus – Childhood to Adulthood

-We are told very little in regards to the early years of Jesus’ life.

-Luke 2:40 simply tells us: “And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the

grace of God was upon him.”

-Luke 2:41-50

      -In this account, Jesus’ family traveled to Jerusalem for the Passover.  On their way home, Jesus’

       family realized that He wasn’t with them.  They returned to Jerusalem in search of Jesus and

       found Him in the temple.  Jesus had been listening to the “doctors” of the Law and had been

       asking questions and providing answers which astonished the listeners.    

-Here we have the first recorded words of Jesus:  “How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must

  be about my Father's business?” (KJV).  Actually, the NASB and the NIV probably have a better

  translation of this particular verse.  The phrase “about my Father’s business” is replaced by “in My

  Father's house?” (NASB) and “I had to be in my Father's house?" (NIV).  In other words, Jesus is

  saying to Mary that she should have known where He would be found.

-“..[T]he words of Jesus do not imply a rebuke, as some have affirmed, but are words of anxious

  solicitude for his mother’s anxiety…’In my Father’s house’ means that he must be doing those

  things of God.  Mary’s question was not as to what her son had been doing, but as to where he had

  been…” (Boles, p71-72). 

-This shows us that Jesus, at an early age, understood His purpose of being here.

-Luke 2:51 – He continued in subjection to his earthly parents – a wonderful lesson for kids today!

-Luke 2:52 - The next eighteen years of Jesus’ life are covered in this single verse.  In it we find that

Jesus increased (Strongs – prokopto – to drive forward) in wisdom (Strongs – sophia – wisdom) and

stature (Strongs - helikia – maturity, years or size) and in favour (Strongs – charis – graciousness of

manner or act) with God and with man.