Finding Favor With God And Man

The Passover Pilgrimage and Luke’s Account of Jesus’ Childhood

Well good morning beloved. If you can turn your bibles please to Luke chapter 2. We're going to continue our series in Luke's gospel and we're going to be examining this morning verses 41 to 52. When you have that please do stand for the reading of God's word.

Again Luke chapter 2 in verse 41. Hear ye this morning the word of the Lord. Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feasts of the Passover and when he was 12 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 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 when 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.

These are the words of the Lord you may be seated. Benevolent father we do come before you thankful for today that on the Lord's day we can gather to receive instruction to receive insight into your most precious and holy word.

Father we pray that in this moment you'd help us to remove every high and lofty idea every sin every thought that could so easily entangle us and lead us astray and let us now Lord bring every thought captive onto the obedience of Christ so that we too finding our solace in Christ and seeing the example that we have in him also find favor with God and man in this year and in all time to come in Jesus name we do pray amen.

The Feast of Passover, Unleavened Bread, and Christian Pilgrimage

Well we don't have much information on the life or the early life of Jesus in the New Testament. We have very little about the early life of Jesus other than the narrative of his birth and then his ministry as an adult but what I love about Luke's gospels again Luke is almost like a investigative journalist he's someone who has taken his time as he has himself proclaimed already in the opening verses of Luke's gospel as one who has carefully compiled information and data regarding the savior Jesus Christ and so Luke's gospel is unique in that it gives us this small insight into the early life of Jesus.

We find being left off in verse 40 and verse actually 39 when Jesus is a child and he's he's just a baby after he was circumcised it says when they had performed everything according to the law of the Lord they returned into Galilee to their own town of Nazareth and the child grew and became strong filled with wisdom and the favor of God was upon him.

Now most of the gospels pretty much ended there but then we have an example here in Luke's gospel of a story a narrative of Christ as a young boy going to Jerusalem on a pilgrimage for the Passover feast.

And this extraordinary encounter this extraordinary account of what the young boy Jesus does here in these short verses of scripture. So we meet Jesus again when he's about 12 years old. So if you can follow the notes this morning I have a lot of notes for you to take if you're willing to sit through that we meet again.

We meet Jesus again when he's 12 years old as his family observes the yearly festival of Passover. Now Passover was that what was what we just read during the reading of scripture this morning the Passover was of great importance.

It's probably the most important thing on the Hebrew or Jewish calendar is Passover now. What makes Passover so special. Well according to Leviticus chapter 23 verses 5 and 6 this is the opening day of the year.

This is the new year in the Jewish Hebrew calendar. And this is the opening day of which feast unleavened bread. I want you to put that in there. This is the opening day of the feast of unleavened bread according to God's word given to us in Leviticus chapter 23 verses 5 and 6.

What's unique about some of the festivals on the Jewish calendar is that not all of them required your presence in Jerusalem. But Passover was indeed one of these pilgrimage was a festival that required your presence in Jerusalem.

Similarly there's another one anyone know what the other one is. What's the next one that requires the people of God to be gathered at the temple. What is it the Feast of Tabernacles which would be kind of September October range.

But another one would be the Feast of Pentecost Feast of Weeks 50 days or Pentecost meaning 50 and so Pentecost was another festival that required the presence of God's people a pilgrimage of sorts to come to the temple to worship and meet with God.

And so many times in the Old Testament we see people making these pilgrimage to the temple for such feasts for such occasions. And here we have Christ at 12 years old no different going according to the custom according to the law up to the temple to worship God during the Feast of Unleavened Bread during the Passover.

And this feast is a pilgrimage of sorts and a pilgrimage. We don't really talk about pilgrimages today as Christians because we as Christians don't need to do any particular pilgrimage. Just yesterday I was speaking to a Muslim for over an hour his name was Mustafa and him and I had this really wonderful conversation and we got into a deep conversation about faith and works and and what God requires and how someone can be saved.

And I said to him I said Mustafa I know that in Islam you have to do your pilgrimage your your hajj. You have to go to uh to Mecca you perform many rituals go around uh uh the the dome or the the I forget what that thing is called but that particular mosque.

You go around it five times and then you go and you you got to go to this particular particular well and you stone Satan. You throw stones as if you're stoning Satan. Very interesting uh if you ever research Islam in comparative religions the rituals that they have.

But I say as a Christian I don't have to do any pilgrimage when you pray your pray your five prayers a day and you face towards Mecca. I say I don't have to pray in any sort of direction. Do you know why.

Because our Savior the Lord Jesus Christ says in John chapter 4 he says the hour is now when true worshipers will not gather on this mountain nor on that mountain but anywhere where God's spirit is that is where true worship happens.

That's where true worship happens. So we as Christians today we have the kind of the comfort of not having to do any major pilgrimage. But as Christians we also recognize that the Christian life is in itself a pilgrimage of sorts.

Your walk with Christ is a pilgrimage we have to. We do not have to walk to Jerusalem but we are on a road that leads to the new Jerusalem. We don't have to go to a well to stone Satan. We know that Satan has been placed underneath our feet.

Amen. We don't have to go to a place a particular location a church a mosque a site a holy site. We know that the holy site resides in us because if you are one of God's children God's spirit resides in you and you are made holy through that.

That's the beauty of the Christian faith wherever you are whoever you are you can have peace with God. And the world does not have that peace. No other religion can find that favor with God and man. But God has given us that favor through the proclamation of the gospel that through the gospel of peace we can have peace with God.

And we can have peace with our fellow image bearers with other human beings created in God's image because the gospel of peace is at work just as it was at work in the early life of Jesus. Notice what it says again in Luke chapter 2 and starting in verse 42.

And when he was 12 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. You see the feast of Passover of unleavened bread is a pilgrimage. And a pilgrimage means a faith journey.

It's just a journey that one takes on behalf of of a faith or of an imperative and after Passover. So if you want to write that in their notes after Passover Jesus stayed behind because his journey was not over.

So notice as they go down to Jerusalem they do the feast. They continue to uh to do all that is required by the law according to the custom. And then they go home. They go back home and Joseph and Mary are on their way back home.

And they're supposing Jesus to be part of in the group because again this is a big pilgrimage people from all around Israel all around the empire who are Jewish who are observers of the law had to go down.

And as they went up after it was finished they began to notice that Jesus wasn't with them. Why. Because his journey his pilgrimage was not yet done. And we see also here I want to dispel the notion that Mary and Joseph were bad parents.

You you know if you read the story and you think of the circumstances you'd be like how could that happen. I would never do that. These are different times. And also recognize that in the pilgrimage it would be very customary for family friends acquaintances to be helping in the load of especially with young children.

No different than today when we have our gatherings here in the church and we have our kids looking around you know we may not be eyes on them like a hawk 24 7 but we we suppose them to be here. We suppose them to be well we suppose them to be under good hands and no different here.

Mary and Joseph were supposing Jesus to be under the watch and good hands of fellow worshipers fellow acquaintances fellow friends and family members. Mary and Joseph were not neglectful. They knew that Jesus you know first of all think of it this way Jesus was perfect which means he was the perfect kid.

So they had no reason to doubt that Jesus was doing anything nefarious. And yet as they continue on this journey they find that Jesus is not in their midst. So they began to like any good parent would begin to search for him begin to try to find out discern where it is that Jesus has gone has something happened to him.

Can you imagine the thoughts going through the mind of a father or or mother. Similarly I've had a experience once when we were in Costco in Wisconsin and my youngest son Noah the troublemaker that he is if you know him decided he would pull a little prank on us by hiding in one behind one of like the kiosk of the tv.

And so he was there one second and I turn around and he's gone and I say where do you go. I'm calling his name I can't find him so she can't find him either. So we freak out and we tell the store and the store's like shutting everything down.

There's code Adam happening and all the employees are looking for him and I couldn't remember what he was wearing. And so they're asking what is the boy wearing. I don't even remember because in that moment there's such a kind of a panic and I have retraced my steps and I just go backwards and I'm trying to find out where he is.

And and all I hear is a little snicker a little snicker. And I see and I look behind the kiosk and there he is. I'm like don't ever do that again because it's a terrifying thing as a parent. It's a terrifying thing as a father.

Can you imagine what Mary and Joseph were going through in their minds in their hearts. They weren't neglectful of their son. They loved their son and they were doing all that they could to find him. And where did they find Jesus.

Not behind the kiosk or making trouble but instead notice what it says in verse 45. When they did not find him they return 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.

Listening, Asking Questions, and Finding Favor With Man

Now Mary and Joseph as they were trying to find they're probably preparing in their minds you know the speech. If they find Jesus what kind of speech they're going to give him. And and how they could never he could never do that again.

And then they find him where in the temple doing what. Listening and inquiring and teaching. Hard to be mad at that. Isn't it hard to be mad at that kid at that son at that child who is doing something of such marvelous value.

How is it that Jesus can find favor with God and with man. At that moment as a parent I would be hard pressed to find favor of my child. But Jesus was on a mission. Jesus lived a life of purpose even as a young child.

Jesus was on mission as when they found him he was in the temple worshiping listening receiving instruction and giving instruction. He was found doing what God requires. How can we today beloved as Christians as those who profess Christ.

How can we find favor with God and man. Quite simply put it is this do what God requires. Listen and obey the master's voice. And in doing so you shall reap the blessing the blessing of life the blessing of God's providence and hand over you and give you success in the things of life.

Not in a way that brings forth this twisted notion of a prosperity gospel. Of course not but in the rightful way of understanding that on the other side of obedience is always blessing. God blesses his people who follow him who listen to him who receive the instruction from the law from the Torah from his word.

And Jesus being on mission living a life of divine favor finds himself in the temple worshiping his father. How can we find favor with God and man. Be bold and worshiping God no matter the cost no matter the cost.

This world that we live in today has become and is becoming ever more increasingly hostile towards those who worship the one true God. And it's only going to get worse. And it may get better or it may continue to devolve to the point where we will see persecution even in this great land and country.

So how is that we can find favor with God. Which is the most important primary aspect that we should be considering this morning. Well a right standing before God can only be made possible through faith in Jesus Christ.

It's through faith in Jesus. Jesus is setting for us a model even as a young boy as a 12 year old child he's setting the model of what it looks like to be a true worshiper to be about his father's business as he puts it later on.

Let me ask you the question. Are you about your father's business. Are you doing that which God requires of you. Namely first and foremost repentance and faith onto Jesus living the life that he has called you to live living a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called.

These are the things that God requires of us faith and repentance and living a life that is separate called apart. Jesus is living that set apart life here in Luke chapter 2 while everyone else has done what is required of them by the law by the custom going down the Jerusalem observing Passover observing the week of 11 of unleavened bread and then going back up to their towns.

Jesus stayed about his father's business even after all that was required of him was fulfilled. Jesus went above and beyond. The call went above and beyond. Now as Christians today we feel no certain obligation to do things above and beyond.

Especially in modern day evangelicalism. Because we have this concept that well we're under grace and grace means I can just do the bare minimum. And I'm still part of the club. And while that may be true to some extent you're a true believer.

You've been born again converted. Spirit resides in you. Yes you are heaven bound. Yes you have the peace and security of eternal life. But beloved. What great joy and treasure is there in just doing the bare minimum.

In just skating by getting into heaven by the skin of your teeth. There's no joy in that. There's no grand reward in that. Brothers and sisters if you weren't truly pleased the heart of our sovereign benevolent father do what God requires of you by giving your whole life to this great cause.

Because what did Jesus say that it would cost you to be his disciple an hour or two on Sunday having to stand through maybe two services on Sunday. Can't imagine that God would require that of me. How about.

What else would he require. What do you require. Maybe a little bit of your income. Lord now now you're getting a little touchy here. You start touching the wallet. I'm not sure I'm comfortable with that Lord.

What else would God require me. Would God require me to to to worship him daily Lord. I'm not sure I have time for that. I've got a schedule I've got I've got work I've got responsibilities. I've got kids I've got all these things.

How do you expect me to get all this done. The bare minimum. Brothers and sisters the bare minimum God requires your life. All of you. All of your time all of your money. It's all his. Anyways it belongs to him.

And we get offended when we're asked to do just the bare minimum. Beloved Jesus Christ did not go around doing the bare minimum. He gave all that he was to his father so much so that he himself was poured out as an offering for our sins for our disobedience.

He won for us obedience for God beloved. How then ought we to live. What sort of lives ought we to live now. And holiness and godliness is the question posed by the apostle Peter in second Peter chapter three.

What ought. What kind of lives ought we to live now. Knowing this knowing the great price that has been paid on our behalf not working in such a way in which we think we're trying to earn God's favor.

But because God's favor has been lavished on you has been given to you as a gift by grace through faith in Jesus. Now I ought to use this life as an offering as a living sacrifice holy and acceptable to God.

That's the life I want to live. Because in that life not only do I receive favor not only do I find favor but I get to enjoy favor with God. I get to enjoy it because it's in his presence that we receive the enjoyment of our salvation.

And we ought to be daily in his presence whether it's in our daily family worship whether it's in the Lord's day as we come together and we observe the Lord's table and we observe a time of prayer later in the afternoon we ought to enjoy these things.

This is for our blessing for our benefit for your joy for your spiritual strength and sustenance. Do not make the mistake of just doing the bare minimum because you are only robbing yourself of the joy that is the joy of our salvation.

Don't get around just doing the bare minimum. Live the life that Jesus lived being about his father's business. Jesus family found him in the temple once you write this in there if you're following the notes listening to the teachers and amazing all who listened to him.

So what Jesus did even from a young early age is that he looked for instruction so often in life and in the context that we live in we do not look for instruction. We we think we got it all figured out.

If we and if we need instruction we'll google it or we'll go to now the what's it called chat gpt I shut. Like that we can ask the the algorithms to give us the answers now. But Jesus continued to find himself looking for strength and sustenance in the word through good teaching.

Notice again what it says in the text of scripture in verse 46. After three days they found him in the temple sitting among the teachers listening to them and asking them questions. You see what Jesus was doing here is that he was about his father's business in that he was listening to the law of instruction and also asking questions that he himself may grow in strength stature and wisdom which is what we see in verse 40.

And the child grew became strong filled of wisdom and the favor of God was upon him. God's favor is upon those who listen and who seek instruction. That's where you'll find God's favor is in the seeking and also in the obeying of God's instruction.

Christ found that perfect favor with God because he sought forth the law of God. He sought forth divine instruction. He sought forth teachers and he asked questions so that he can better know understand the word of God in that way.

Now you may be asking yourselves pastor how is it then that we can say Christ is God if he's asking questions. If he is one who has to learn grow be filled with wisdom would it not be innate in him. Would it not be inherent in him that he would have all the answers and all the things we'll remember brothers and sisters Christ was truly man not the appearance of man not the appearance of flesh solely which was the heresy of the Gnostics early on in Christian history who denied that Jesus had truly become flesh but he had merely an appearance of flesh.

Jesus was truly human in every way tempted and tried as such as as we are and yet without sin. He too according to the word of God in Hebrews 5 had to learn obedience through things he suffered. Jesus was truly man in his flesh.

He had according to Isaiah's prophecy he had nothing in his flesh nothing of his appearance that would draw men onto himself. He had no physical advantage. He was truly human as we are. And yet this clothed in that human flesh was veiled the godhead was veiled true divinity.

And so yes Jesus as a human had to learn obedience. Jesus as a human had to learn instruction from Torah from law just as any one of us would have to learn as well. And yet when he learned he learned perfectly.

He was the perfect student. Which is why he then became the perfect teacher. Jesus was perfect in every way without sin. And yet here we find Christ as an example from an early age going to his going to his father's house to the temple to receive instruction.

And all who listened to him who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers in verse 47. That's a sign of a good listener. A good teacher must be a good listener. Jesus as a student and a teacher embodies all the perfect traits of both.

Again what we also must realize that in the incarnation Jesus has a aspect in which he is he submits himself to his to his own self-humiliation. Bible says it puts it this way. Though he Christ was rich he became poor on our behalf though he had everything all the glory all the splendor all the power all the authority all the riches all the wisdom all the knowledge.

He became poor on our behalf so that through faith in him we might become the riches of God in Christ. Now what can we do. How can we learn from this great example set by the grand teacher and the grand student Jesus Christ.

As we learn from Jesus example we can find favor with man when we listen. I want you to write this in there as we learn from Jesus example we can find favor with man when we listen and find understanding even with those who are different or we disagree with.

So if you want to know the secret to how how can I find favor of man. So I know how to find favor of God through Jesus. How can I find favor man. What example does Jesus set for us. Jesus sets the example for us by being a good listener and seeking to find understanding.

Many of today's problems could be solved if more people just began to do that. So quick are we to let our voices be heard for our opinions to reign for our thoughts and our passions and our way of thinking to dominate a conversation.

But instead what Jesus seems to do is he submits himself by listening and seeking understanding. How does he seek understanding. By asking the right questions. By asking good questions. Many of you know several years ago I wrote a book on Jehovah's Witnesses.

I am a former Jehovah's Witness and my book is called can I get a witness. How to understand and set free Jehovah's Witnesses. And the main apologetic tool that I use there in terms of how to reach the Jehovah Witness is exactly this.

I had a pastor's wife once tell me I think right around my when the time my book came out she says oh we just had a Jehovah's Witness knock on my door. And just yesterday she said and I said to the Jehovah's Witness I said listen if you don't believe when John 1 1 says I've got nothing else to say to you.

You know you need to repent and believe in in John 1 1. She's like how did I do. I said terrible. I said terrible. That's not what I would you know prescribe to you. Instead what I prescribe in the book is very simple.

You reach the witness as you would reach any other group any other person by listening and asking the right questions. So for instance one of the teachings of Jehovah's Witnesses a very odd teaching concerning Christ is that they believe that he's Michael the archangel.

Okay pretty strange. Not what the Bible teaches at all. We don't have to go in depth in that but instead of saying you believe Jesus is Michael the archangel and this and that and then just just bring it out repertory scriptures instead what I say is you ask is this what you believe.

Yes wonderful. Okay now that we've established that's what you believe. I just had a real sincere question. What do you do with Hebrews chapter 1 for instance that says all the angels of God worship Jesus which would include Michael.

Because Michael's an angel and if all the angels of God worship him then how can he be Michael. You see the approach there being very different asking a sincere question from the heart saying I need you to help me understand this.

Because maybe I'm missing something. And if you can illuminate this for me that would be great. Because then what the witness has or any other person you're approaching with that apologetic is now they have to confront that same truth and reality that's before them.

And they've been heard. So you ask the question saying did I understand you correctly. Is this what you believe. You heard them and now you're asking the right question. So many of our problems in this world would be solved if we just listened and asked the right questions.

And also not just asking the right questions but asking the right questions with the right spirit. Because sometimes we can ask the question in such a way where we're just trying to get them. I got you now right.

There's that famous interaction of Jordan Peterson with this woman broadcaster and from the UK and he she asks kind of a ridiculous question and he gives a kind of a brilliant retort back to her. And then as she's processing it he says ha gotcha which kind of undid the argument that he had just presented.

We're not here to get people. We're not here just to be right just to win an argument. That's where many Christian apologetics goes wrong. We're just looking to be right instead of winning people's hearts.

And Jesus won the hearts of people. Amazing all those who heard him and listened to him because he listened with great intent and he asked the right questions with the right spirit. And brothers and sisters that's how we can find favor with man.

Because when we seek to understand people rather than just judge them or attack them or be right all the time we can win favor with them and have an open door of conversation and hopefully a good Christian witness even with those who disagree with us that should be our aim.

And in that way maybe they won't be converted. Maybe they won't see things the way we see it. But at least you've now gained someone's respect. And that's important because the scripture tells us that we are to present the gospel make a defense for the gospel with gentleness and respect.

That's what Peter commands us in first Peter 3 15. So if we want to make a good defense of the Christian faith remember to look to Jesus who was the perfect listener. And he asked the perfect questions.

Now we won't always live up to that perfect standard. Of course. But as a Christian our job is to emulate him who has walked before us. And that person being of course the sovereign Lord Jesus Christ.

Jesus’ Distress, His Father’s House, and the Model for Discipleship

Understandably Jesus family was greatly distressed at his absence. Notice what it says in verse 48. And when his 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. So clearly Mary and Joseph were distressed by the occurrence that had just happened. They could not find him for almost three days.

They could not find him possibly foreshadowing the three days of Christ in the tomb. And yet what we see here is Jesus responds with a beautiful a beautiful answer. He said to them why were you looking for me.

What an interesting question. What an interesting retort from Christ. What what what do you mean. We're. We're your parents. Of course we'll be looking for you. But yes he asked this question. And I think in such a brilliant way he says why are you looking for me.

In a way of saying isn't it obvious. Mom dad. Isn't it obvious. Did you not know that I must be in my father's house. Like don't you know me. Well enough by now guys like don't you know that I'm all about my father's business.

Like it should have been obvious to you where I was. It's no secret. And he could say that because of the life that he has now faithfully lived for the last 12 years which we don't have much insight on.

But it's a it's obviously presupposed in the text Christ being perfect the perfect son the perfect student the perfect listener. And he says mom and dad it's obvious where I was you should have known.

And I don't think Jesus says this kind of in a snobby way as a kid like why were you looking for me. But I think he says it in such a way which again leaves his parents astonished and saying it's obvious where I am and where I've been this whole time in my father's house.

What a beautiful display. What a beautiful retort he gives. And so even though understandably Jesus family was greatly distressed you write that in the notes at his absence. But Jesus responds that he must be in his father's house.

And he's setting the model. Get this. He's setting the model for discipleship. I want you to write that in the notes. If you're following along he's setting the model for discipleship. How. So. Well. Notice what Jesus says later in Luke's gospel in Luke chapter 14.

If you can turn there for a moment in Luke chapter 14 notice what the Lord Jesus says in verse 26 he says. If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father mother wife children brothers sisters.

Yes even his own life he cannot be my disciple. Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple. What is Jesus doing Luke chapter 2 as a child already setting the model for discipleship.

Even if it means leaving behind father or mother brother or sister Jesus is all about his father's business. That's what he is setting the model for brothers and sisters. Of course Jesus is when he says thou must hate his own father mother wife children hate being used to show the not the fact that we have to have emotional malice towards our family members but rather that in comparison to the grandeur of the love by which he has called us we ought to see everything else as rubbish in comparison to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord as Paul puts it in Philippians chapter 3 verse 7 and 8 it's a passing worth of knowing Jesus so that everything else in comparison looks like hate because you're willing to leave everything behind to follow Jesus.