Topic: Early Years of Jesus

Little is known about the childhood and early years of Jesus. Basically, we go from birth to two, two to twelve, twelve to thirty, with nothing known in between. It can leave us scratching our heads and asking, “why do we not have details of the early life of Jesus?” What can we learn from what we do know?

Luke records one incident from the childhood of Jesus that took place when He was twelve years old. It revolves around the annual celebration of Passover. Israel was given three feasts, which all males were required to attend: Passover, Pentecost, and Tabernacles. The Feast of Passover was a memorial to Israel’s deliverance from Egypt and to their adoption as God’s nation.

Every year His parents went to Jerusalem for the Feast of the Passover. When He was twelve years old, they went up to the feast, according to the custom. After the feast was over, while His parents were returning home, Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents were unaware of it. Thinking He was in their company, they traveled on for a day. Then they began looking for Him among their relatives and friends. When they did not find Him, they went back to Jerusalem to look for Him (Luke 2:41-45).

After three days, they found Him in the temple courts sitting among the teachers, listening to them, and asking questions. Everyone that heard him was amazed at His understanding and His answers. When His parents saw Him, they were astonished. His mother said to Him, “Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you.” “Why were you searching for me?” He asked, “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s House?” But they did not understand what He was saying to them (Luke 2:46-50).

Then He went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. But His mother treasured all these things in her heart. And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and men (Luke 2:51-52).

I want to know everything about Jesus, but God doesn’t tell us very much about his life until He is baptized. After that, we have an abundance of information. Why is the gospel record written in this manner? It is because God has given us what we need. We need a Savior and Jesus came to save mankind. We need His teaching, the miracles, the parables, the sermons, the cross, His death, His resurrection, His ascension. We need a Savior.

The silent years teach us the importance of staying home and learning from our parents (Luke 2:51). By the time Jesus began his public ministry He was known as Joseph’s son (Luke 4:22).

It is okay to have a season of quiet years of growth— physically and spiritually. The quiet years prepare you for a breakout season of powerful ministry.

See you Sunday,

Dr. Scott Kallem