The Mystery of Jesus: Wisdom in His Humanity
Summary
In our study of the Gospel according to Saint Luke, we explored the narrative of Jesus at the age of twelve, staying behind in the temple while his parents, Mary and Joseph, unknowingly left Jerusalem without him. This passage, found in Luke 2:39-52, offers a rare glimpse into Jesus' early life, highlighting his growth in wisdom and spirit. The story unfolds with Mary and Joseph's anxious search for Jesus, only to find him in the temple, astonishing the scholars with his understanding and questions. This incident raises profound questions about the nature of Jesus' knowledge and his dual nature as both fully human and fully divine.
The narrative challenges us to consider the mystery of the Incarnation, where Jesus is both truly God and truly man. This dual nature was affirmed by the early church, particularly at the Council of Chalcedon, which rejected heresies that either confused or divided Jesus' divine and human natures. The council declared that Jesus' two natures are united without mixture, confusion, separation, or division, each retaining its own attributes. This theological foundation helps us understand how Jesus, in his humanity, could possess such profound wisdom without relying on his divine omniscience.
Jesus' prodigious knowledge at twelve years old is attributed to his perfect humanity, unmarred by sin. Unlike us, Jesus' mind was not clouded by the effects of sin, allowing him to love God with his entire mind. This narrative invites us to reflect on our own spiritual growth and the potential of a mind fully devoted to God. Jesus' response to Mary, "Did you not know that I must be about my Father's business?" underscores his awareness of his divine mission and his commitment to fulfilling it, even at a young age.
Key Takeaways:
- The narrative of Jesus in the temple at age twelve highlights the mystery of the Incarnation, where Jesus is both fully God and fully man. This dual nature is affirmed by the Council of Chalcedon, which declared that Jesus' two natures are united without mixture, confusion, separation, or division. This understanding helps us appreciate the depth of Jesus' wisdom and knowledge. [14:06]
- Jesus' prodigious knowledge at twelve is attributed to his perfect humanity, unmarred by sin. Unlike us, Jesus' mind was not clouded by the effects of sin, allowing him to love God with his entire mind. This invites us to reflect on our own spiritual growth and the potential of a mind fully devoted to God. [30:19]
- The story of Jesus in the temple challenges us to consider the nature of divine knowledge and human understanding. Jesus' wisdom did not arise from his divine nature but from his perfect humanity, demonstrating the potential of a sinless mind. This encourages us to pursue knowledge and wisdom in our own spiritual journeys. [26:00]
- Jesus' response to Mary, "Did you not know that I must be about my Father's business?" underscores his awareness of his divine mission and his commitment to fulfilling it, even at a young age. This reminds us of the importance of aligning our lives with God's purposes and being attentive to his calling. [33:42]
- The narrative invites us to marvel at the perfect humanity of Jesus and the wisdom he displayed at such a young age. It challenges us to consider what it means to live a life fully devoted to God, free from the effects of sin, and to strive for spiritual growth and understanding. [36:06]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:07] - Reading from Luke 2:39-52
[00:54] - Jesus Lingers in Jerusalem
[01:26] - Anxious Search for Jesus
[02:09] - Prayer for Understanding
[03:08] - Gaps in Jesus' Early Life
[04:03] - Apocryphal Stories
[05:01] - Jewish Customs and Bar Mitzvah
[06:25] - Traveling by Caravan
[08:02] - Realizing Jesus is Missing
[10:00] - Searching Jerusalem
[11:18] - Jesus Among the Scholars
[12:24] - The Mystery of Jesus' Knowledge
[14:06] - The Doctrine of the Incarnation
[17:22] - Chalcedon's Four Negatives
[20:19] - Communication of Attributes
[26:00] - Jesus' Perfect Humanity
[30:19] - The Potential of a Sinless Mind
[33:42] - Jesus' Divine Mission
[36:06] - Closing Prayer
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Luke 2:39-52
---
Observation Questions:
1. What was the custom that led Mary and Joseph to take Jesus to Jerusalem when he was twelve years old? [05:14]
2. How did Mary and Joseph react when they realized Jesus was missing from the caravan? [08:02]
3. What was Jesus doing when Mary and Joseph found him in the temple, and how did the scholars react to him? [11:18]
4. What was Jesus' response to Mary when she questioned him about staying behind in Jerusalem? [33:42]
---
Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the narrative of Jesus in the temple at age twelve help us understand the mystery of the Incarnation, where Jesus is both fully God and fully man? [14:06]
2. In what ways does Jesus' perfect humanity, unmarred by sin, contribute to his prodigious knowledge and wisdom at such a young age? [30:19]
3. How does Jesus' awareness of his divine mission, as demonstrated in his response to Mary, challenge our understanding of aligning our lives with God's purposes? [33:42]
4. What does the story of Jesus in the temple teach us about the potential of a sinless mind and its pursuit of knowledge and wisdom? [26:00]
---
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you felt anxious or worried about a situation. How can Mary and Joseph's experience of searching for Jesus encourage you to trust in God's plan during uncertain times? [08:02]
2. Jesus' response to Mary highlights his commitment to his divine mission. How can you identify and commit to the "Father's business" in your own life? [33:42]
3. Consider the ways in which sin might cloud your mind and hinder your spiritual growth. What steps can you take to cultivate a mind more fully devoted to God, as Jesus demonstrated? [30:19]
4. Jesus' wisdom at a young age was attributed to his perfect humanity. How can you pursue wisdom and knowledge in your spiritual journey, despite the imperfections of human nature? [26:00]
5. The Council of Chalcedon affirmed Jesus' dual nature without mixture or confusion. How does this theological understanding impact your view of Jesus and his role in your life? [20:19]
6. Jesus' prodigious knowledge challenges us to consider the potential of a sinless mind. What practical steps can you take to pursue a deeper understanding of God and his word? [26:00]
7. How can you align your daily actions and decisions with God's purposes, as Jesus did, even at a young age? What specific changes might you need to make to be more attentive to God's calling in your life? [33:42]
Devotional
Day 1: The Mystery of the Incarnation
The narrative of Jesus in the temple at age twelve invites us to ponder the profound mystery of the Incarnation, where Jesus is both fully God and fully man. This dual nature is affirmed by the Council of Chalcedon, which declared that Jesus' two natures are united without mixture, confusion, separation, or division. This understanding helps us appreciate the depth of Jesus' wisdom and knowledge. The story of Jesus astonishing the scholars in the temple challenges us to consider how his divine and human natures coexist harmoniously. It is a reminder of the theological foundation that allows us to grasp the significance of Jesus' life and mission. [14:06]
"For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority." (Colossians 2:9-10, ESV)
Reflection: How does the mystery of the Incarnation influence your understanding of Jesus' role in your life today?
Day 2: The Potential of a Sinless Mind
Jesus' prodigious knowledge at twelve is attributed to his perfect humanity, unmarred by sin. Unlike us, Jesus' mind was not clouded by the effects of sin, allowing him to love God with his entire mind. This invites us to reflect on our own spiritual growth and the potential of a mind fully devoted to God. Jesus' example challenges us to consider the impact of sin on our understanding and relationship with God. By striving to overcome sin, we can pursue a deeper connection with God and a clearer understanding of His will. [30:19]
"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect." (Romans 12:2, ESV)
Reflection: What steps can you take today to renew your mind and align it more closely with God's will?
Day 3: The Nature of Divine Knowledge and Human Understanding
The story of Jesus in the temple challenges us to consider the nature of divine knowledge and human understanding. Jesus' wisdom did not arise from his divine nature but from his perfect humanity, demonstrating the potential of a sinless mind. This encourages us to pursue knowledge and wisdom in our own spiritual journeys. By seeking to understand God's truth and applying it to our lives, we can grow in wisdom and become more like Christ. [26:00]
"For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding; he stores up sound wisdom for the upright; he is a shield to those who walk in integrity." (Proverbs 2:6-7, ESV)
Reflection: In what areas of your life do you need to seek God's wisdom and understanding today?
Day 4: Awareness of Divine Mission
Jesus' response to Mary, "Did you not know that I must be about my Father's business?" underscores his awareness of his divine mission and his commitment to fulfilling it, even at a young age. This reminds us of the importance of aligning our lives with God's purposes and being attentive to his calling. By understanding and embracing our own divine mission, we can live with purpose and direction, fulfilling the roles God has set for us. [33:42]
"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." (Ephesians 2:10, ESV)
Reflection: What specific steps can you take today to align your actions with God's purposes for your life?
Day 5: Living a Life Fully Devoted to God
The narrative invites us to marvel at the perfect humanity of Jesus and the wisdom he displayed at such a young age. It challenges us to consider what it means to live a life fully devoted to God, free from the effects of sin, and to strive for spiritual growth and understanding. By following Jesus' example, we can pursue a life of holiness and devotion, seeking to grow closer to God each day. [36:06]
"Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ." (1 Peter 1:13, ESV)
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you can increase your devotion to God today, and how will you do it?
Quotes
And the child grew and became strong in spirit filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon him. His parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the Passover, and when he was 12 years old they went up to Jerusalem according to the custom of the feast. [00:26:48]
And he said to them, why did you seek me, did you not know that I must be about my father's business? But they did not understand the statement which he spoke to them. And then he went down with them and came to Nazareth and were subject to them, but his mother kept all these things in her heart. [01:33:28]
And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and with men. This is a wonderful narrative that Luke provides for us, and I pray that the truth that is found in it will be meaningful to you as you contemplate it this day. Let us pray. [01:37:12]
Now we bump right up against one of the greatest mysteries and one of the most important doctrines of the Christian faith and that is the mystery of the incarnation of Christ, whom we confess to be the God man, whom we profess to say that he was in fact the very incarnation of God. [13:39:00]
The first heresy was called the monophysite heresy which had been advanced by a man by the name of Eutyches, and the monophysite heresy taught this, that if Jesus was one person, clearly he must have only had one nature, like every other person that we've ever met. [14:35:76]
And so if Jesus was a single individual, he must have had a single nature, mono which is the prefix of the word monophysite, mono means what I asked the choir today, how many rails on a monorail, one thank you very much how many wings on a monoplane, one thank you very much. [15:03:76]
And the root of this word fuses is the word from which we get the word physics the study of physics which is the study of substance the study of nature and so the monophysites like eutectics believed that Jesus only had one nature, well, if he only had one nature, was it divine or was it human? [15:32:24]
And if you would ask him an office site, was Jesus single nature divine or was it human he would answer, yes, that he would say that one nature was a blend a mixture between deity and humanity, now here's a 50 cent word for you they called it one theanthropic nature. [16:00:48]
The council of chelsea undead was first of all they made the positive affirmation they said in Jesus in the mystery of the incarnation, and get this, he is vera homo, verideos, truly man, and truly God, that we must affirm both the true and full humanity of Jesus in the incarnation and affirm his true and full deity. [18:08:88]
Jesus is truly human truly divine two natures perfectly united but without mixture or confusion, you hear that in monophysites, no mixture no confusion no blending without separation or division do you hear that you nestorians over there, the pox on both houses was pronounced at chelseadom. [19:40:32]
And so Jesus not only had to teach the teachers, he had to teach his parents about the truth of God, wouldn't you loved him in a fly on the wall with that exchange, well then he Luke tells us he left and he went with his mom and his dad went back to Nazareth and was subject to them that is to Mary and Joseph. [34:48:88]
Father help us to be amazed at what perfect humanity looks like, what sinlessness acts like, that we may not be surprised at the prodigious wisdom and knowledge that our lord displayed in his humanity at so young in age before we ask it in his name, amen. [36:02:48]
Chatbot
-
I'm an AI bot trained specifically on the sermon from Nov 07, 2021. Do you have any questions about it?