“The Just Shall Live By Faith”

New King James Version                          Written by: David Hicks

 

Romans 1:17 “ For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, "The just shall live by faith."

Galatians 3:11 “But that no one is justified by the law in the sight of God is evident, for "the just shall live by faith."

Hebrews 10:38 “Now the just shall live by faith; But if anyone draws back, My soul has no pleasure in him."

“Articles of Faith”

 

An Orderly Account Of The Greatest Story Ever Told

(A Study in Luke)

Chapter 2:36-52:

In the close of Chapter two, Luke will record the testimony of Anna the prophetess and then he will close the chapter with the only specific recorded history of the childhood of Jesus.

Text #1:

Luke 2:36-38 “Now there was one, Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, and had lived with a husband seven years from her virginity; 37 and this woman was a widow of about eighty-four years, who did not depart from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day. 38 And coming in that instant she gave thanks to the Lord, and spoke of Him to all those who looked for redemption in Jerusalem .”

Anna: Here we have an eighty four year old woman, who has spent the majority of her life at the temple serving God in fasting and prayer. In studying scripture, we should not find it completely out of the ordinary for God to use a woman as His mouthpiece from time to time (see: Exodus 15:20 ; Judges 4:4 ; II Kings 22:14 ).

Spoke of Him: Here, she uses her unique qualifications to testify of Jesus to those who looked for the coming of the Messiah in Jerusalem .

Text #2:

Luke 2:39-40 “So when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee , to their own city, Nazareth . 40 And the Child grew and became strong in spirit, filled with wisdom; and the grace of God was upon Him.”

It is unknown why Luke did not record the flight to Egypt (it is possible that since Matthew's account was written to the Jews, with a great deal of emphasis on the fulfillment of the prophecies concerning the Son of God ; while Luke's account was to the Gentiles with a focus on the humanity of the Son of God; that his account does not record it), at any rate, we will include Matthew's words concerning the flight at this point.

Matthew 2:13-15 “Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, "Arise, take the young Child and His mother, flee to Egypt , and stay there until I bring you word; for Herod will seek the young Child to destroy Him." 14 When he arose, he took the young Child and His mother by night and departed for Egypt, 15 and was there until the death of Herod, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying, " Out of Egypt I called My Son ." (This quote is from Hosea 11:1 )

The Child Grew: Although we are going to be given a window of information in the coming verses, concerning the childhood of Jesus, this is all we really need to know concerning the childhood of Christ. His mission to the lost sheep of Israel would not begin until John the Baptist went before Him to prepare the way. John could not testify of the Christ until he saw the Spirit of God descend and stay on Him ( John 1:33 -34 ). Neither would begin their ministries until they were of adult age (approx. 30 years old).

The body of Jesus was human as well as divine, and was subject to the same law of growth and development as that of any other child. His spiritual man would have to develop in accordance to His body. However, since the work to be accomplished by Him was of such special importance, His Father favored Him with wisdom that was beyond His years. The account we are about to look into is a glimpse of that favor!

Text #3:

Luke 2:41-45 “His parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover. 42 And when He was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem according to the custom of the feast. 43 When they had finished the days, as they returned, the Boy Jesus lingered behind in Jerusalem . And Joseph and His mother did not know it; 44 but supposing Him to have been in the company, they went a day's journey, and sought Him among their relatives and acquaintances. 45 So when they did not find Him, they returned to Jerusalem, seeking Him.”

Every Year: There were three yearly feasts that all male Jews were required by the law to attend before the Lord in Jerusalem ; Passover, Pentecost, and the Feast of the Tabernacles ( Exodus 23:14 -17 ; Deuteronomy 16:16 ).

Finished the Days: This refers to the Passover on the fourteenth day of the first month and the seven days immediately following ( Leviticus 23:4-8 ). At the conclusion of this feast the families began the journey home. It was not uncommon for these travelers to congregate in large numbers to protect themselves during the journey. Under these circumstances, it would not be uncommon for children to travel with other family or friends (this is covered in the statement, “supposing Him to have been in the company” – Vs. 44 ). It wasn't until the end of the first day's journey that they began to look for the child among the acquaintances and relatives; and when they didn't find Him, they returned to Jerusalem .

Text #4:

Luke 2:46-50 “Now so it was that after three days they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both listening to them and asking them questions. 47 And all who heard Him were astonished at His understanding and answers. 48 So when they saw Him, they were amazed; and His mother said to Him, "Son, why have You done this to us? Look, Your father and I have sought You anxiously." 49 And He said to them, "Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father's business?" 50 But they did not understand the statement which He spoke to them.”

Found in the Temple : It would not be until after three days that Joseph and Mary would find their son. At this point I don't think it takes a psychologist to determine the mindset of the earthly parents of the Lord.

When He was found, He was found engaged in earnest conversation with the Rabbi's of the Law. He was both hearing and asking questions. This was a forum often practiced in the temple grounds, yet, based on the response of those who witnessed this event; it doesn't seem that too many twelve year olds ever engaged the Rabbis this way (they were amazed at His answers and understanding).

Parents Amazed: When Joseph and Mary saw Him engaged with these teachers, they too were amazed. However, it would be their natural anxieties that would show themselves in the question posed by Mary.

My Father's Business: The term business used here could also be rendered as, “about My Father's affairs” . This would be the first record of a reoccurring theme of the Savior, while here on earth; note:

John 4:34 “Jesus said to them, "My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work.”

John 5:30 “I can of Myself do nothing. As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is righteous, because I do not seek My own will but the will of the Father who sent Me.”

John 6:38 “For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me .”

John 17:4-5 “I have glorified You on the earth. I have finished the work which You have given Me to do . 5 And now, O Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was.”

It would be here, in this setting, that Jesus would first assert His supernatural connection with God. Since the temple was the official headquarters of the system of worship then in force, He is found in the building where He should be found in preparation for His coming work (during this particular opportunity).

They Did Not Understand: It is obvious from this notation that neither Joseph nor Mary had the special understanding that Jesus possessed, even at this early age (as mentioned in Vs. 40 ). Although amazed at where they found Him and what He was doing, they were still dwelling on the anxiety of His absence and the relief of finding Him.

Text #5:

Luke 2:51-52 “Then He went down with them and came to Nazareth , and was subject to them, but His mother kept all these things in her heart. 52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.”

In these two verses is the conclusion of all that is said concerning the pre-ministry years of the Lord. He honored the Law and was subject to His earthly parents and stands as an example for all children of obedience to their parents, which should be imitated.

Mary in turn, kept her knowledge of His miraculous birth and all the miraculous events described in these opening chapters within her. This in turn may open our eyes to some of the source of Luke's perfect knowledge concerning these events; in these later years ( Chap. 1:3 ).

The Lord increased in wisdom and stature (also often rendered “greatness” from the Greek, ‘ helikia '), even beyond the pre-described levels of this story. However, most important for all of us to note, is that He grew in favor of God first, and also men, which should be imitated by us all!!!

Next: “ John prepares The Way ”