The Life of Christ 2 – The Family of Jesus
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Wednesday The Life of Christ 2 – The Family of Jesus
January 3, 2024
The New Testament clearly establishes Jesus’ nature as both fully God and fully Man. Jesus is the eternally preexisting “Word” who “was God” (John 1:1) and “became human” (verse 14). As a human, Jesus “grew in wisdom and in stature” (Luke 2:52), “faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin” (Hebrews 4:15).
The Gospels indicate that God chose Jesus’ earthly parents because of their character and devotion to Him. Mary and Joseph were not selected randomly; instead, they were ordained by God to raise their son—His son. The Father knew the role they would fulfill in Jesus’ development and the plan of salvation.
So who were Mary and Joseph? What set them apart? Why were they chosen to be the earthly parents of God’s own Son?
Joseph:
Geneology - son of David through Solomon
Matthew 1:19 (LSB) And Joseph her husband, being a righteous man and not wanting to disgrace her, planned to send her away secretly.
Other thoughts?
Mary:
Geneology (Luke 3:23-) Different order, More complete (Goes back to Adam), a different son of David (Nathan)
Luke 1:26–28 (LSB) Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city in Galilee called Nazareth, 27 to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin’s name was Mary. 28 And coming in, he said to her, “Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.”
Luke 1:38 (LSB) And Mary said, “Behold, the slave of the Lord; may it be done to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her. (Surrendered)
Other thoughts?
Read: Luke 2:51–52 “And He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and He continued in subjection to them, and His mother was treasuring all these things in her heart. 52 And Jesus was advancing in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.”
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1. Why do you think we don’t have more information about Jesus’ upbringing?
How might that information have helped us? I would have used it to bludgeon my kids and grandkids.
Been an impediment to us? I would have used it to bludgeon my kids and grandkids.
Maybe not given because outside the scope of their writings:
Matthew - written primarily to the Jews
Seems like knowing Jesus went to Synagogue school and services (even Saturday night!) would have been helpful
Mark - probably written in Rome Mark for the Gentiles in general and Romans in particular
Probably not much about childhood before adulthood would have been helpful
Luke - We can note that while Mark wrote to the Gentile in general and to the Roman in particular, Luke writes to the Gentile in general and to the Greek in particular
While the Gospel of Matthew is the bridge between the Old and New Testaments, the Gospel of Luke bridges the events between Christ and the establishment of the church
The third Gospel is the longest book in the New Testament. In it Luke presents Christ as a man more completely than any other writer of the Gospels. Also, this Gospel account is the most complete or comprehensive of all the Gospels
John -
John 20:30–31 (LSB) Therefore many other signs Jesus also did in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; 31 but these have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name.
John 21:24–25 (LSB) This is the disciple who is bearing witness to these things and wrote these things, and we know that his witness is true. 25 And there are also many other things which Jesus did, which if they were written one after the other, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that would be written.
2. How much do you believe Joseph and Mary shaped Jesus (Nature/Nurture/Holy Spirit)?
3. Video: Matthew 1:19 Joseph was a “righteous man.” Does that mean he was a miracle worker (Diakaios | Tsaddik)? Tzadikim– righteous ones?
4. Video: John 2:1-11 Was Jesus familiar with miracles through His upbringing by Joseph?
John 2:1–11 (LSB) And on the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there; 2 and both Jesus and His disciples were invited to the wedding. 3 And when the wine ran out, the mother of Jesus said to Him, “They have no wine.” 4 And Jesus said to her, “Woman, what do I have to do with you? My hour has not yet come.” 5 His mother said to the servants, “Whatever He says to you, do it.” 6 Now there were six stone water jars set there for the Jewish custom of purification, containing two or three measures each. 7 Jesus said to them, “Fill the water jars with water.” So they filled them up to the brim. 8 And He said to them, “Draw some out now and take it to the headwaiter.” So they took it to him. 9 Now when the headwaiter tasted the water which had become wine, and did not know where it came from (but the servants who had drawn the water knew), the headwaiter called the bridegroom, 10 and said to him, “Every man serves the good wine first, and when the people have drunk freely, then the inferior wine; but you have kept the good wine until now.” 11 Jesus did this in Cana of Galilee as the beginning of His signs, and manifested His glory, and His disciples believed in Him.
5. Joseph and Mary were zealous Law followers (Luke 2:21-24). That is evidenced by them presenting Jesus and giving the required offering.
Luke 2:21–24 “And when eight days were fulfilled so that they could circumcise Him, His name was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before He was conceived in the womb. 22 And when the days for their cleansing according to the Law of Moses were fulfilled, they brought Him up to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord 23 (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “EVERY firstborn MALE THAT OPENS THE WOMB SHALL BE CALLED HOLY TO THE LORD”), 24 and to offer a sacrifice according to what was said in the Law of the Lord, “A PAIR OF TURTLEDOVES OR TWO YOUNG PIGEONS.””
6. Another example of Joseph and Mary’s zealousness (Luke 2:41-43) inclined Jesus towards God’s house?
Luke 2:41–43 (LSB) And His parents would go to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover. 42 And when He became twelve years old, they went up there according to the custom of the Feast; 43 and as they were returning, after finishing the days of the Feast, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. But His parents did not know.
7. Mary and Joseph’s impact was also felt through the ministry of Jesus’ younger brother, James, who led the church in Jerusalem. Often referred to as “James the Just,” he authored the Book of James and was an influential leader as the Church continued to grow. In fact, he was the spokesperson for the Jerusalem church at the Jerusalem Council, which established how Gentile converts were to be integrated into the Church (Acts 15:1–21).
Sometimes we limit our view of Jesus to the Man in His early thirties we see throughout most of the Gospels. But it’s essential to remember that His parents, family, and mentors modeled righteousness and gave Him both spiritual and practical instruction. Because of their investment and His own relationship with His Heavenly Father, Jesus was willing and ready to follow God’s plan for His life.
• Who are the people God has used to mentor and instruct you? In what ways can you see the effects of their influence in your life?
Although none of us can understand the weight of responsibility Mary and Joseph carried as they raised God’s Son, we each have people in our lives who are looking to us for guidance. When interacting with our children, grandchildren, or anyone else under our influence, we can follow Mary and Joseph’s example. We can help prepare people for God’s purpose by intentionally training others in godly living and practical skills. And we can offer encouragement along the way, helping them press on toward their God-given goals.
• Who are the people God has trusted you to mentor and instruct?
• What intentional steps are you taking to raise up the next generation of believers?