Denouncing Because of the Absence (Luke 2:48–50)
The response of Joseph and Mary to finding Christ was not complimentary. It reflected badly on Joseph and Mary
The reproach in the denouncing. (Luke 2:48). The bad thing about this statement is that it put blame on Christ for the absence of Christ. It reproached Christ in front of all the teachers and other people as a disobedient person. The fault, however, was not with Christ but belonged to Joseph and Mary.
The rebuke of the denouncing. (Luke 2:49). Christ put the reproach where it belonged. Joseph and Mary were rebuked for their spiritual ignorance. First, the proclamation in the rebuke. (Luke 2:49). These words are the first words recorded of the Incarnate Christ. They proclaimed the ministry of Christ. Christ came to earth to do the will of the Heavenly Father (Psalm 40:8). This should not be limited to Christ. That should be the business of all of God’s people. Second, the priority in the rebuke. (Luke 2:49). (Luke 2:49). Jesus put serving God in the category. Too many put it in an optional category. Third, the perplexity about the rebuke. (Luke 2:50). In spite of all that they had been told by heaven about the Christ child, Mary and Joseph still did not understand what Jesus meant by His statement.
Dwelling After the Absence (Luke 2:51)
When Joseph and Mary found Jesus, He went with them back to Nazareth.
The resignation in the dwelling. Going back to Nazareth with Joseph and Mary was a noble act by Christ. First, the humility of Christ. (Luke 2:51). He Who was the Creator and very God Himself took the lowly position of a child and went home with Joseph and Mary. He had astonished the people in the Temple, but He did not let that honor keep Him from obedience which involved a great deal of humility. Second, the honor for parents. Following Joseph and Mary gave great honor to parents. If Jesus Christ, Who was very God, submitted Himself to Joseph and Mary, how much more should those who are simply mere humans submit to their parents. The Bible has much to say about obeying parents. The world wants children to disregard their parents but that will lead to chaos in the land.
The remembering in the dwelling. (Luke 2:51). Mary did not ignore what Jesus said in the Temple but kept this in her heart and would ponder it over the years. Her Son was indeed different and she would not forget these statements and experiences.
Development After the Absence (Luke 2:52)
We had a verse, before the Temple experience, that spoke of the development of Christ before His absence from Joseph and Mary, now we have another verse, after the Temple episode, on His continued development after the experience in the Temple.
The mental development. (Luke 2:52). The report of this development in wisdom in Christ presents some difficulties with some folk who do not understand how Christ would need development in wisdom. Matthew Poole gives a good answer to this perplexity when he says, This increased in wisdom is speaking of His human nature which He took upon Himself when He came to earth to save sinners.
The physical development. (Luke 2:52). The human body of Christ grew as most bodies do. He would grow taller and stronger just as other boys did.
The spiritual development. (Luke 2:52). From a human standpoint, Christ grew spiritually, something many professing believers in our churches do not. They may be giants physically, but they are pygmies spiritually. If their physical body reflected their spiritual body they would be invalids and grossly abnormal.
The social development. (Luke 2:52). Favor with man does not mean He compromised His convictions. Rather it means that Christ became a good neighbor and citizen. He was not a mischief-maker. He behaved well. He had good manners. Christians ought to act likewise. Make sure that the persecution you experience is not encouraged by your poor behavior in society.
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