Jesus As a Child
Introduction: This study considers the record from Matthew and Luke about the actions of the parents of Jesus, and some fulfilled prophecy in those passages. The purpose is to highlight things that his parents had done in obedience to the law and to God, and the one event recorded about Jesus as a child. The gospels of Mark and of John have no details about Jesus until he began his public ministry as an adult.
NOTE: Scripture passages are from the American King James Bible.
A — Mary Was Obedient to the Message from the LORD Through Gabriel
Luke 1 “30 And the angel said to her, Fear not, Mary: for you have found favor with God. 31 And, behold, you shall conceive in your womb, and bring forth a son, and shall call his name JESUS. 32 He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give to him the throne of his father David: 33 And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end. 35 The Holy Ghost shall come on you, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow you: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of you shall be called the Son of God. 38 And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it to me according to your word.”
Comments: The angel Gabriel gave Mary a number of very important facts about Jesus: (1) Mary would conceive miraculously as a virgin; (2) she was to name him Jesus; (3) he shall be called the Son of the Highest; (4) the Lord God shall give to him the throne of David; (5) he shall reign over the house of Israel for ever; (6) there shall be no end of his kingdom; (7) that holy thing which shall be born of her shall be called the Son of God. Mary believed Gabriel and willingly submitted herself to the will of the LORD.
B — Joseph Believed What Was Revealed to Him About Mary
Matthew 1 “20 But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the LORD appeared to him in a dream, saying, Joseph, you son of David, fear not to take to you Mary your wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. 21 And she shall bring forth a son, and you shall call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. 23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. 24 Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took to him his wife.”
Comments: When Joseph heard that Mary was pregnant before they had been together, he did not know that this was a miracle of God. He intended to quietly end the espousal agreement. Before Joseph took any action, the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream: Joseph was a son of David, verifying his ancestral line; Joseph should not hesitate to take Mary as his wife because what was conceived in her was of the Holy Spirit; Mary would give birth to a son and Joseph was to name him Jesus, for he shall save his people from their sins. Joseph followed the instructions from the angel and took Mary to be his wife.
C — The Birth in Bethlehem and the Dedication at the Temple
Luke 2 “4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) 7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. 21 And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called JESUS, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb.”
Comments: Joseph obeyed the decree made by the authority of the Roman government, which the LORD used to bring about the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem rather than in Nazareth. The parents followed the law of Moses by circumcising the baby on the eighth day and giving him the name Jesus. After forty days they went to the temple in Jerusalem to dedicate the child and give the prescribed offerings. After all things were performed according to the law, they returned to their own city Nazareth. The Matthew account gives additional information about events that transpired before they returned, indicating they did not go directly there from Jerusalem.
D — Joseph Was Obedient to the Warning from the LORD
Matthew 2 “11 And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented to him gifts; gold, and frankincense and myrrh. 13 And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appears to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt… for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him. 19 But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appears in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, 20 Saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel. 23 And he came and dwelled in a city called Nazareth: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene.”
Comments: The wise men visited Joseph and Mary at a house in Bethlehem and presented valuable gifts after falling down before the child in worship. Being warned by God in a dream not to return to Herod, they returned to their own country by another way. After they were gone, the angel of the Lord instructed Joseph to take the young child and his mother and flee to Egypt because Herod would seek to destroy the child. Joseph left by night for Egypt, and they stayed there until Herod’s death. When the angel told Joseph it was safe to return, Joseph’s concern about the new ruler in Judea was confirmed by God in a dream, and he returned to Nazareth.
E — Jesus at the Age of Twelve
Luke 2 “46 And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the middle of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions. 47 And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers. 48 And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said to him, Son, why have you thus dealt with us? behold, your father and I have sought you sorrowing. 49 And he said to them, How is it that you sought me? knew you not that I must be about my Father’s business? 52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.”
Comments: Joseph and Mary went from Nazareth to Jerusalem every year for the Passover, showing their respect for the law from Moses. When they left at the end of the days of observance, they did not realize Jesus had remained in Jerusalem. After the group had gone a day’s journey, they looked for Jesus and did not find him among their relatives or acquaintances. They headed back to Jerusalem and found him three days later at the temple, sitting with very well educated men, listening to them and asking them questions. Everyone who heard the twelve year old Jesus was amazed by his understanding and answers. His question to his parents rightfully placed God the Father above his earthly parents without diminishing his respect for them. Jesus went back to Nazareth with his parents, was subject to them, and continued to increase in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.
Reflections in Prayer
Through your design LORD, Joseph and Mary became the most unique parents in the history of mankind, and they demonstrated their faith and their obedience as they followed your instructions directly revealed to them. Just as you, LORD, used unbelieving rulers to assure that Jesus would be born in Bethlehem and be called a Nazarene, I know you are still directing the affairs of men for your purposes. May I be subject to those who have authority over me in government as long as it does not lead to disobeying your word and your direction for my life. What a marvelous thought to ponder that the Son of God at the age of twelve demonstrated great wisdom and independence, but was still willing to respectfully submit to his human parents. Jesus, you set aside the glory you had in heaven with the Father, and came through a humble birth to grow and mature until the appointed time. LORD, may I apply in faith those things that you reveal for me by the Holy Spirit through the scriptures, and may I have complete trust in you for those events that may be very puzzling to me. Hallelujah! Amen.
Published 7 May 2014