Lineage Manger to Messiah
Jesus Christ | The Temple Visit Manger to Messiah | Episode 3
After being born in a stable
and then fleeing to a foreign country after His birth,
the town chosen for Jesus to live in
would follow in a similar vein of hardship.
Nazareth was an obscure and despised town that was held in low esteem,
illustrated by Nathaniel's words in John 1:46 when he said,
‘Can any good thing come from Nazareth?’
Jesus passed by the wealthier towns and the courts of royalty
to make his lot with the rough and ready people of Nazareth.
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It was his parents’ duty to teach Him the scriptures
and the very words He had inspired Moses to write many years ago
He was now taught by His mother.
She diligently taught Him so that when He was older
people would ask and wonder how He knew so much
having never formally been trained in the schools of His day.
Jesus grew up amongst the wicked inhabitants of Nazareth,
but He grew in wisdom and the grace of God.
His life stands as a rebuke
to those of us who think ourselves dependent
upon fortune, place, and prosperity in order to live a good life.
Sometimes temptation, adversity, and trials
are the very discipline that we need.
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For nearly 30 years Jesus lived in Nazareth
where He worked in His later years as a carpenter.
We really don't read anything about Jesus during these years
except for one instance.
For Jews, the dividing time between childhood and youth was 12 years old,
and at the age of 12, Jesus’ parents took Him up to Jerusalem.
As He neared the temple and saw the priests conducting their work,
He soon found Himself in the midst of them,
talking with the religious leaders and teachers.
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The Bible records how Jesus was both listening and also asking questions--
questions that showed He had a depth of knowledge and understanding
far beyond His years.
His parents, Mary and Joseph, pack up their things and depart
along with the people who have come down from Nazareth.
As it is a large group with many people, horses, and donkeys, they don't see Him,
but think He's somewhere in the group.
When they finally realize that He isn't there,
they turn around and head back to Jerusalem.
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Searching the city, they now come to the temple,
and it's been three days since they have seen Him
and they find Him talking to the religious leaders and teachers.
Asking Him why He has caused them such heartache and pain,
He responds and says,
‘Did you not know that I must be about My Father's business?’
Here, at the age of 12, is the first time recorded in Scripture
where He understands His divine mission
from His heavenly Father rather than his earthly father.
For the next 18 years,
while knowing that His mission on earth is a sacred one,
He returns back to Nazareth
and performs the duties of a son, brother, friend, and citizen.
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No doubt Jesus had a hard time growing up.
Not only did He live in a rough town,
but also from the age of 12
He knew that He was set apart for a different work.
His life was a lonely one,
with even His own family not understanding His work,
but having a sense of identity and a sense of mission
gave Him something to focus on in His early adolescent years.
The clearer our sense of identity, mission, and purpose is in life,
the more productive and fulfilling our lives will be.
May we find these things in Jesus and allow Him to direct our lives.