# 22 Losing Jesus

The events of this story make it easy to see what kind of child Jesus was.

I doubt that Mary and Joseph were negligent parents, but how could they not notice that Jesus wasn’t with them? They obviously didn’t worry about him sneaking off, or getting distracted and wandering away. It almost sounds like they took him for granted, until needed.

Caught up in the excitement and the company of the people, quite probably rushing to leave, they didn’t realize that Jesus had stayed behind. Evidently they trusted him; he had never given them cause to worry, and they assumed he was with the other kids. When they began to set up camp that evening, he wasn’t there helping as usual, and they began looking for him.

Imagine how they must have berated themselves, and perhaps each other, for not noticing, not checking, for assuming he would take care of himself. I’m sure evil whisperings reminded them of how Herod had tried to kill him as an infant. Loaded with guilt and fear they turned back to Jerusalem. Praying, they retraced a whole days steps, much of it in the dark.

Poor parents! I don’t suppose they slept much that night or the next.

Luke 2:43-45

# 21 Jesus Experiences Passover

The only Biblical story of Jesus’ childhood is his trip to Jerusalem for Passover–the highest celebration of the year.*

Twelve was the age in Jewish culture when a boy was perceived to leave childhood and become “a son of the law” and “a son of God.” And so as expected, Jesus at twelve, accompanied Mary and Joseph on their annual journey.

Passover had begun the night of the exodus from Egypt and was the most sacred and best attended of the three annual feasts. This festive spring celebration was meant to revive joy and focus the people on God’s protection and restoration.

While Jesus knew the story, this was the first time he had seen the temple and the impressive rites in Jerusalem. His independence caused Joseph and Mary to hope he would be impressed to reverence the priests.

All the ceremonies were representations of the Messiah and his work, and Spirit spoke to Jesus as the symbols came alive about His life and purpose. Deep in contemplation he wanted to be alone.

So he lingered in the temple when the others left. Then needing to see if anyone understood, he went to the school room off of the temple and sat down with the rabbis’ students.

Luke 2:41-51

# 20 Why Jesus “Didn’t go to School”

In Jesus’ day, the town that neglected the religious education of children was regarded as cursed. Parents and prophets were to teach children that God’s law was an expression of love, which described Him, the great I AM. God had directed that from infancy children should be taught about Him. And as soon as they were able, helped to establish their own relationship with God.

We know from the remarks of the rabbis that Jesus did not attend their schools. Yet they were amazed at his knowledge and understanding of the scriptures.* The Passover story shows his  original mind and independent thinking.**

Jesus was home schooled by his mother and by God. She was his teacher, the Holy Spirit her aid. From her and God he learned the lessons He himself had written in nature and directed into scripture.

The schools of the prophets had become focused on behavior. Students were kept so busy that they had no time to pursue a personal experience with the Scriptures. Not teaching them to seek God in time alone with Him, they missed the most important education. The one coming from connecting with the Source of Life. Their religious training had become just another detour away from God.

*John 7:15  **Luke 2:41-52

# 19 Jesus Childhood

After Herod’s death, Joseph was directed to return home.

In the poor mountain village of Nazareth, Jesus developed naturally according to the stages of childhood. Significant is the brief account of His early years. “The child grew in wisdom and vigor and the favor of God was upon Him.”* Also after twelve, “Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.”**

Two statements speaking of the simplicity and balance of His life, and ten verses about the Passover trip are all Scripture supplies of Jesus first 30 years. He didn’t choose to come to a home of wealth where privilege and insulation would have made His life easier. He showed that ease and plenty are not the best environment for a child.

His choice of a simple life, learning from God in nature, with loving, honest parents, who modeled a connection to God and depended on useful work, indicates the elements most needed for development.

Simple, yes, but Jesus’ life was not easy. His days were shadowed by every scheme Satan could devise to trap Jesus in conflict and make his life hard. Satan hated that one life on this planet should be free from evil on the inside.

*Luke 2:40 ** Luke 2:52

# 18 The Gift to the Magi

Unlike the shepherds, the magi haven’t been prepared for Jesus’ poverty. Arriving in Bethlehem, they again wonder at the absence of any sign of preparation or guard for this baby king.

This is highly irregular for the birth of royalty. A descendent of the great King David–so yes, David’s hometown, but why doesn’t anybody know?

They are open to the Spirit of God and when they see Jesus, their hearts are melted and stirred. They recognize divinity. They worship him and give Him their gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.

Once again God provides, these will finance Joseph and Mary’s stay in Egypt.Through a dream, God directs Joseph to go there because Herod will soon try to kill the child. The “slaughter of the innocents” in Bethlehem was first of Satan’s attempts to take Jesus’ life.

So the magi were also directed in a dream to not return to Herod, but to go home another way,* giving the baby and his parents time to leave Bethlehem before Herod’s fear and anger destroyed all the toddlers under two there. The point is made, that had the people there been looking for their messiah, God could have protected them from Herod’s wrath ignited by Satan.

Matthew 2:12

# 17 The Magi

The magi are honest-hearted scholars, but the priests in Jerusalem cannot concede that God would pass by them and tell these “heathen.” They wouldn’t be taught by them! They wouldn’t even go to Bethlehem to investigate!

Entering Jerusalem on their camels, they were a bit of a spectacle and the news spread like fire, the priests labeled it “fanaticism,” forgetting that God had given them the first sign in Zacharias’ son, John. (Explained later.) The vivid account of the shepherd’s angelic vision had also reached them and was discounted.

But Herod was not derailed. His road to the throne was paved with murder. When he questioned the priests, he thought them purposely hiding info and went straight to the magi.

“Messiah is born? How wonderful!” he questions eagerly, ” Please find him and come and tell me so I can worship him too!” Pretending to be truly seeking and joyful like them, his act fools even these wise men.*

Expectations disappointed and questions growing, they leave Jerusalem at evening. This is not at all what they expected.

Little do they know what kind of king they seek.Then as the sky darkens, they see the star and their joy and confidence revive. They are being guided.

 

*Matthew 2:7-8

# 16 The Star

God is always looking for people in every nation whose hearts are in synch with His. Such were the magi who studied the stars with a desire to know their Creator.

They knew from tradition that a Messiah was coming who would fill the world with a knowledge of God. With excitement they discovered the Hebrew prophecies pointing to their time.

Then one night three of them saw an explosion of light in the far sky that seemed to leave a new star. They knew it wasn’t anything fixed or familiar. And the conviction that it was special began to grow. Had they seen it for a reason?

Their delight exploded as they read Balaam’s prophecy of a star rising in Israel,* and then dreamed they were to follow it!

Quickly they prepared, and traveling at night towards the star, their conviction of guidance deepened. So imagine their surprise when they arrive in Jerusalem to ignorance of the Messiah’s birth!

Where was the guard they expected to contend with? Why were there no celebrations? Could they have been wrong in their calculations? No one, even among the religious leaders of the king’s country, seemed to know anything about this birth!

* Numbers 24:17

# 15 The Foreshadowing

Simeon turns from praising God, to Mary, “This child is destined to be a sign which men reject. Your heart will be pierced also.” he begins. God is speaking prophetically through Simeon to prepare Mary for the rejection of Jesus. He continues, “Many in Israel will fall and rise again because of Him, and the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed.”

Truly, the thoughts of all, from God to Satan, are exposed by Jesus’ life and death. We are living at the end of a cosmic struggle between good and evil. In the beginning of this war, Satan had accused God of being selfish, wanting power and worship for Himseslf, but not willing to give or sacrifice for His creatures.

So God put Himself on trial before the universe.*

In Jesus, God’s willingness to give, to suffer for love, God’s character, is clearly shown (with joy). Jesus shows that evil causes death, even His, but He conquers death for all who choose love over evil.

By instigating Jesus death, Satan’s true character as the selfish one is evident; his hatred and jealousy of God, and us, is plain.

By our response to the character of Jesus we decide our future.

*Romans 3:4 (RSV, NEV)

# 14 The Dedication

Simeon just happened to walk into the temple while Jesus was being dedicated. Just happened? No, Simeon had such a connection with God that he had heard His Spirit tell him he would not die before he saw the Messiah.

Entering now, he suddenly “knows” why he has come there–here is the One he has waited for. With a joy like nothing felt before, he takes the baby from Mary and lifts him to God, exclaiming, “Lord, now let me die according to Your word because I have seen Your Annointed, a light for the Gentiles, and the glory of Israel,”*

An old widow named Anna, also responding to Spirit, came and thanked God that she had been allowed to see ”the Christ” and began telling everyone that Messiah had come.

The priest is astonished, Jesus’ parents affirmed. But all is not bliss.

Most of Simeon’s words obscure Messiah’s suffering, but in kindness God prepares Mary with a hint of the pain ahead. She does not understand her child’s mission. Joyfully she is remembering the shepherds’ words. Even though she has already suffered because of him, she has no idea what is ahead. She expects him to be crowned king.

*Luke 2:29+

# 13 The First Born

A baby’s cry pierced the stillness of the temple. It was Jesus’ eighth day and He had just been circumcised as a pledge of obedience to the law.

Every first-born son of Israel was circumcised and dedicated to God as a symbol of the expected Messiah. Before creation, God had promised to give his first-born son to reclaim earth’s inhabitants should that be necessary. So every first-born son was dedicated as a reminder.

Jesus was Earth’s “second Adam” and God’s “first born” though unrecognized.

Long before, in the exodus, God called Israel His “first born.” And because Pharoah wouldn’t recognize or release God’s “first born,” God allowed the Destroyer to kill Egypt’s first-born sons. Cries pierced that night also. Yet Satan couldn’t enter any home marked with blood, foreshadowing the power of Jesus’ blood to protect and save from death.*

A month after his circumcision, the priest officiating at Jesus’ dedication didn’t recognize Him as the Messiah either. His parents were poor, no sign of wealth, rank or power alerted anyone. They brought the poorest offering allowed the poorer classes, though still without blemish. Signifying that Jesus was perfect physically and spiritually.

But there was a sign, an old man who knew God…

Exodus 12:23