WHERE IS JESUS? (Outline)
January 16, 2011 - Epiphany 2 - LUKE 2:41-52
INTRO: Can there be anything scarier than a lost child? Even for a few minutes? Such a situation fills any parent with shock and anguish. Joseph and Mary certainly asked over and over: “Where is Jesus?” Today that question is seldom sounded. Not too many in our day and age are overly concerned about Jesus. Even so, Jesus is still with his creation. Paul preached in Athens. He proclaimed to those unaware of the true God the true meaning for their “unknown god”. The Lord God Almighty had created all things. The creation of humans reflected God’s glory in this creation. "God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us" (ACTS 17:27). By grace we do know where Jesus is. We will want to remember the very comforting truth knowing where God’s son is.
WHERE IS JESUS?
I. In his Father’s house. II. In his people’s hearts.
I. JESUS IS IN HIS FATHER’S HOUSE
A. Verse 41. Joseph and Mary faithfully went to Jerusalem each year to celebrate Passover.
1. Verse 42. When Jesus was old enough his parents took him to the temple for Passover.
2. Verse 43. You can well imagine that the very Son of God wanted to stay close to the temple.
3. Verse 44. The family traveled with other family members. The kids played with each other.
B. Verse 45. Where is Jesus? They had to return to Jerusalem to look for their son. It took another day.
C. Verse 46a. A day traveling from Jerusalem and a day back and a day searching = three days.
1. Verse 48. The parents’ anxiety was replaced with astonishment. They found their son.
2. Verse 49. Jesus calmed his parents’ fears. His heavenly Father would also care for his Son.
3. Verse 50. It would take more time to fully understand completely God’s divine plan.
D. For a time earthly anxiety and worry clouded the thinking of Joseph and Mary. Not too much has changed over the generations since that time. Parents still worry about their children. It seems that more and more in our day and age our world offers a great number of things to worry about. Our world does not point us to Jesus. Instead our world promotes fear and anxiety about dire events that may happen or may not happen. Our world wants us to believe that money is the end all and cure all for everything. Jesus teaches differently in the parable of the seed and the sower. "The one who received the seed that fell among the thorns is the man who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke it, making it unfruitful" (MATTHEW 13:22). How often have the “worries of this life” or “the deceitfulness of wealth” choked out God’s word in our lives? Probably more than we want to admit.
E. Where is Jesus? This is the very important question we will want to ask ourselves when tempted by the attractions and distractions of this world. Our world only offers worry. That is not what Jesus wants us to have. We need to understand that the Jesus is close to each one of us. Jesus is the very word of God that became flesh. Jesus is in his Father’s house. God’s house is where God’s word is proclaimed and taught. "For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope" (ROMANS 15:4). All of the Scriptures reveal to us Jesus. All of the Scripture give us hope that our world does not offer.
F. It is no surprise that we find Jesus in his Father’s house. We are still at the beginning of another new year. We have the opportunity to start anew and commit ourselves to the importance of being in God’s house at every opportunity. Consider Jesus who was the very Son of God. "He (Jesus) went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. And he stood up to read"(LUKE 4:16). On the Sabbath – Jesus is in his Father’s house, our example.
WHERE IS JESUS?
Jesus is in his Father’s house. Jesus is revealed in his Father’s house in his word.
II. JESUS IS IN HIS PEOPLE’S HEARTS
A. The Passover was when the angel of death passed over the children of Israel in Egypt.
1. The firstborn of the Egyptians, man and animals, died. All were to attend the annual feast.
2. Large crowds gathered. Families reunited. Jesus stays behind in Jerusalem at the temple.
B. Verse 46. Joseph and Mary discovered their son in the midst of the religious leaders of the day.
1. Verse 47. This was only a boy from Nazareth. How did he possess such religious wisdom?
2. Verse 48a. Jesus’ parents were also astonished. Jesus was becoming a part of peoples’ hearts.
C. Verse 51b. At first Jesus’ parents did not understand. Mary thought about everything that happened.
1. Verse 51a. Jesus was obedient to his heavenly Father and earthly parents. We are disobedient.
2. Verse 52. Not only did Jesus grow in God’s favor but also in favor with man – a good citizen.
D. Where is Jesus? You will find him in the living and active word of God. You will find Jesus in the pages of the God’s word. You will find Jesus in the pulpits of the churches that faithfully proclaim law and Gospel. You will find Jesus from the lips and lives of people who point to Christ and Christ alone. Faith comes by hearing the word of God. Jesus then becomes a living part of our lives and souls. "And we have the word of the prophets made more certain, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts" (2 PETER 1:19). With work we will want Jesus as our heart’s treasure. Study and grow as the Light dawns in us.
E. To know God’s word and to believe God’s word is a miracle. We are born into this world as the very enemies of God. Who really cares about his enemies’ words or writings? Does the Christian ever really find if fruitful to study anti-Christian books? It is only by grace that our Lord God Almighty opens our ears, eyes, and hearts to believe. After that miracle it still requires diligent effort on our part to continue in the truths that Scripture provides. Satan does not want us to hear God’s word. The world points us to everything but Jesus. Our sinful nature makes it seem like we do not have enough time to hear, read or study God’s word. With constant effort our attitude can change. "When your words came, I ate them; they were my joy and my heart's delight, for I bear your name, O LORD God Almighty" (JER. 15:16).
F. Where is Jesus? Jesus is in the word of God. The word of God has been planted in our hearts and lives by the Lord God Almighty who created all things. The power of a growing seed is same power of God’s word in the heart of any and every believer. "Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness" (2 CORINTHIANS 9:10). It is God himself who gives an increase of righteousness – all things spiritual.
CONC: Where is Jesus? This question helps us to calm the anxiety, fear, and worry which all too often easily distracts us. Where is Jesus? This helps us to focus our attention on Jesus, the Christ, our Savior and the Savior of all mankind. We see Jesus in his Father’s house. We see Jesus in the very word of God. We know Jesus lives in us by faith through grace. "The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth" (JOHN 1:14). We see Jesus at his birth. We see Jesus in his suffering. We see Jesus in death. We see Jesus in his resurrection. WHERE IS JESUS? Jesus is in his Father’s house, his word. Jesus is in our hearts. May others see Jesus in our lives. Amen. Pastor Timm O. Meyer
EPIPHANY 2 rdgs.:
ISAIAH 49:1-6;
1 CORINTHIANS 1:1-9;
JOHN 1:29-41;
(PSALM 89)
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