Jesus Advances in Wisdom and Favor

Jesus Advances in Wisdom and Favor

Jesus advances in wisdom and favor we read in Luke 2:47 47 (NKJV) And all who heard Him were astonished at His understanding and answers. Jesus, as a boy. amazes the Scholars.

by Jym Wells
First Published 03/30/2016 Re-Published 03/18/2019

Feast Of The Passover

Luke 2:41-52 (NKJV) 41 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[Text reads And His parents.] 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. 46 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.
51 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.

The reason for this Pilgrimage to Jerusalem

The events leading to Jesus’ exchange with his parents begin with their annual pilgrimage to Jerusalem. The parents of Jesus were devout Jews. The Old Testament commanded such a trip for three festivals a year (Passover, Pentecost and Tabernacles; Ex 23:14-17; 34:22-23; Deut 16:16). But by the first century, God-fearing Jews made only one journey a year because of the distances involved. The Passover was the major feast celebrated at the beginning of the Jewish year. Only men were required to make the journey, so Mary’s presence shows her commitment.  Jerusalem was 129 km from Nazareth, so the trip would take three days. Though some have argued that women and children traveled separately from the men as a way to explain how Jesus got lost, there is no ancient text that describes this practice.

Luke 2:46-47 (NKJV) 46 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. This I do believe was the beginning of the Ministry of Jesus Christ,

Jesus Knows His Calling

At this time, Jesus was 12 years old? Jesus is twelve years old. If the Mishna is relevant to the first-century Jewish practice, which is likely in this case, then religious instruction would have become more intense for Jesus upon his reaching twelve. The custom of the bar mitzvah for a thirteen-year-old Jewish boy was not in place at this time (Fitzmyer 1981:440).

Luke 2:49-50 (NKJV) 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.

Luke 2:51-52 (NKJV) 51 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.

Jesus was not being rebellious he was doing, as he said, in verse Luke 2:49. However what amazes me is He knew at 12 what he was called to do. Yet we read in verses 51 & 52 that He went home and was subject to Joseph and Mary and for the next 18 years, we hear nothing from Him. Obedient to his parents, Jesus goes home with them to Nazareth. While there he grows in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and men(Lk 1:80; 2:40).

His Patients Amaze Me

He waited His time as we see in John 2:1-5 (NKJV) 1 On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. 2 Now both Jesus and His disciples were invited to the wedding. 3 And when they ran out of wine, the mother of Jesus said to Him, “They have no wine.” 4 Jesus said to her, “Woman, what does your concern have to do with Me? My hour has not yet come.” 5 His mother said to the servants, “Whatever He says to you, do it.”

His Mother Says To Him

They are running out of wine and Jesus said woman (Mary) what does that have to do with Me, My hour has not come. Then Mary remembering back to Luke 2:51 His mother kept all these things in her heart. She knew who her Son was and in John 2:5 you see her belief she tells the servants to do whatever He says to do. For His time was coming.

Then we read in John 2:8-10 (NKJV) 8 And He said to them, “Draw some out now, and take it to the master of the feast.” And they took it. 9 When the master of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and did not know where it came from (but the servants who had drawn the water knew), the master of the feast called the bridegroom. 10 And he said to him, “Every man at the beginning sets out the good wine, and when the guests have well drunk, then the inferior. You have kept the good wine until now!”

His Time Came

So His time came, for the moment anyway, and the servant to the take some to the master of the feast and verse 10 to me settles the argument wine or grape juice. The guest is well drunk then they serve the cheep stuff however you have kept the good wine until the end. However, that is not what this article is really about it is all about the patients of Jesus waiting for His time, 18 years and not a word. However, Mary had watched Him grow and I believe she had no doubt what He was capable of doing.

John 3:16 (NKJV) For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

Thank you for reading and may God bless and be with you and watch over you. And let us understand, it is time for us to BLESS GOD…

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