A Year of Favor (Pt. 1)
Luke 2:40-52
Luke 2:40, (ESV)
And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom. And the favor of God was upon him.
Luke 2:52 (ESV)
And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man.
Romans 2:4, (NLT)
Don't you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can't you see that his kindness is intended to turn you from your sin?
Matthew 10:8, (NIV)
Freely you have received, freely give.
Luke 2:40, (ESV)
And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom. And the favor of God was upon him. Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover. And when he was twelve years old, they went up according to custom. And when the feast was ended, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents did not know it, but supposing him to be in the group they went a day's journey, but then they began to search for him among their relatives and acquaintances, and when they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem, searching for him. After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. And when his parents saw him, they were astonished. And his mother said to him, "Son, why have you treated us so? Behold, your father and I have been searching for you in great distress." And he said to them, "Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?" And they did not understand the saying that he spoke to them. And he went down with them and came to Nazareth and was submissive to them. And his mother treasured up all these things in her heart. And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man.
1. The separation from Jesus started when they assumed Jesus
was doing what He always did
Luke 2:43, (ESV)
And when the feast was ended, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents did not know it, but supposing him to be in the group they went a day's journey,
2. They were not aware of Jesus’ absence until they stopped to spend time with Him
Luke 2:45,
When they couldn't find him, they went back to Jerusalem to search for him there.
Judges 16:20,
And she said, "The Philistines are upon you, Samson!" And he awoke from his sleep and said, "I will go out as at other times and shake myself free." But he did not know that the LORD had left him.
Luke 2:45,
When they couldn't find him, they went back to Jerusalem to search for him there.
Luke 2:46,
The next day they found him in the Temple seated among the teachers, listening to them and asking questions. The teachers were all quite taken with him, impressed with the sharpness of his answers. But his parents were not impressed; they were upset and hurt. His mother said, "Young man, why have you done this to us? Your father and I have been half out of our minds looking for you." MSG
Luke 2:48, (MSG)
But his parents were not impressed; they were upset and hurt
Luke 2:48, (NIV)
But his parents were not impressed; they were upset and hurt. His mother said, "Young man, why have you done this to us? Your father and I have been half out of our minds looking for you."
Isaiah 26:3, (ESV)
You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you,
Philippians 4:5, (NIV)
The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will
guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
3. They had to search for Jesus for 3 days
Luke 2:46a,
After three days they found him in the temple...
Luke 2:49, (NLT)
"But why did you need to search?" he asked. "Didn't you know that I must be in my Father's house?"
Jeremiah 29:13, (NIV)
You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you," declares the Lord,
4. They had to accept that Jesus was doing something new
Luke 2:46, (MSG)
The next day they found him in the Temple seated among the teachers, listening to them and asking questions. The teachers were all quite taken with him, impressed with the sharpness of his answers. But his parents were not impressed; they were upset and hurt. His mother said, "Young man, why have you done this to us? Your father and I have been half out of our minds looking for you." He said, "Why were you looking for me? Didn't you know that I had to be here, dealing with the things of my Father?" But they had no idea what he was talking about.
Luke 2:51, (ESV)
And he went down with them and came to Nazareth and was submissive to them. And his mother treasured up all these things in her heart.
Luke 2:40, (ESV)
And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom. And the favor of God was upon him.
Luke 2:52 (ESV)
And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man.
Luke 4:18, (ESV)
"The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me... to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.
Luke 4:19, (MSG)
to announce, "This is God's year to act!"
