For Teenagers

(Luke 2:41-52)

I. Study (vv. 46-47)

A. Pursue knowledge

B. Listen

C. Ask questions

D. Answer

E. Dive into the Word

II. Respect

A. Trust (v. 44)

B. Dialogue (vv. 48-50) 

C. Obedience (v. 51)

III. Success

A. From God to people (v. 52)

B. From father to Father (v. 48-49)

On the surface… a classic teen story – parents are on their way and their teen is missing!

        There is an explanation!

        (Luke 2:41-45) If you haven’t read the whole story… your thoughts?

        Read (Luke 2:46-52)

        The context of that time and the context of our days…

        According to the Law, all men were expected to come to Jerusalem for 3 main holidays (Passover, Pentecost, and Tabernacles). This was not expected of children and women, but if they come, it was a sign of piety!

        (vv. 41-42) – we see that Jesus’ parents were pious! Traditionally, a boy became a man and became responsible for the Law at age of 13 – later called “Bar Mitzvah.” (son of the commandment).

        (v. 41) – there was a feast of Passover; after the Passover, there were 8 days of the Feast of the Unleavened Bread. Over time, all of these days began to be referred as Passover.

        We see that Mary and Joseph were going home, and their son remained in the city… Many questions arise…

        Could Jesus be disobedient? What about His sinlessness?

Before answering these questions, let’s look at the context then and now.

        Jesus was in his 13^th year – about to be a teenager (teenager).

        What do we know about today’s teenagers who are with us today?

        Today’s sermon is especially for you, who are 13 to 19 years old.

        The first problem is the lost connection. Our text will explain later that Jesus did not have a broken relationship with his parents, but today’s teenagers live in broken relationships!

        The younger generation stays in the “city”, while the parents are on the road…

        Let’s be honest – it is painful for both sides!

        But this is not the main problem teenagers face!

        Yes, broken relationships between parents and children are expressed by a the shut doors, harsh answers, unwillingness to be at home, rebellion in appearance, acts of defiance, piercing, tattoos, inappropriate clothing, music… This is just an external symptom of an internal problem. What is inside? An empty void and thirst for real love. Parents, all they want is acceptance, love and respect! Where is the solution? The example in this story is the answer!

3 solutions of restless age:

I. Study (vv. 46-47)

        This text firstly teaches a very good ethics in education. Secondly, this text speaks of an effective believing student.

        Let us work through it step by step. At least 200,000 people were present in Jerusalem for the Passover at that time. For children, there are a lot of things to do. But, Jesus seeks out the teachers.

A. Pursue knowledge

        Jesus found those teachers himself. He came to them. Our society promotes the idea of passivity! Young people do not strive to learn, to understand, to grow. They are content with little. Are you passive or active in pursing knowledge?

        Moreover, we are talking about communication with the older generation; at the age 12, Jesus is talking to the elders!? Dear youth, if you surround yourselves only with the people of your age, your will not learn. Strive to communicate and be with the older generation.

B. Listen

        Jesus listened. You need to learn to be attentive.

        (Jas. 1:19) – not only words spoken out loud, but also what we say in our minds. Learn not to talk in your head while listening.

        Only here, of all the Gospels, do we find Jesus as a student! From now on, He will be the teacher who asked challenging questions..

C. Ask questions

        The student who asks questions is learning. When you ask, you are involved, and it helps you connect and understand things more accurately.

        I will also say one thing – sincere questions – a sign of humility!

D. Answer

        I have said more than once that an oral or written answer, allows all the information that we receive to be processed and made our own.

E. Dive into the Word

        Everything applies to the conventional education, and to the Bible! But the last step is to transfer all education into the spiritual realm. All we see in Jesus is a thirst to know more of God’s will. If Jesus aspired for more, even more so, should we!

II. Respect (vv. 44, 48-51)

A. Trust (v. 44)

        Jesus was not irresponsible, otherwise the parents would not have walked all day without worrying.

        Jesus never sinned (Heb. 4:15). But in terms of social skills, at the age of 12, He differed from the 30-year-old Jesus.

        I want to reflect Jesus’ childhood: tell me, did He need to learn to walk, hammer the nails, say thank you after eating? Therefore, on one hand, we have texts that say, He never sinned, and on the other hand, that HE had to develop His abilities in social interactions.

        Dear parents – Do your children have the right to make mistakes, and in general a chance to be a child? There is yet another side… when a guy is 25, and his parents control his every step, preventing him from growing.

        The answer to everything is trust! Jesus’s parents trusted! Do you?

B. Dialogue (vv. 48-50)

        A slightly tense question from Mary… This question was supposed to make Jesus feel guilty. We see them breathing with relief, but also being upset. Have you lost your children for 3 days? Will you control your emotions afterwards? Usually, conversations after such events are very tense.

        But the most valuable thing is that parents and son are able to have a good conversation. They don’t close each in their rooms. They don’t slam the door. Do not shout to each other’s back. This is respect shown from both sides! Dear parents, create an atmosphere at home where you do not shut up the children when they have multiple questions, that begin with “why?” Even if the questions are repeated a thousand times! Answer! Keep the dialogue open!

C. Obedience (v. 51)

        Jesus, the Son of God who created the universe, obeys his parents. This is the fulfillment of all righteousness by Jesus Christ!

        (Eph. 6:1-3) – obedience is the main expectation from children!

III. Success (v. 52)

        Success in wisdom (intellectual growth)

        Success in stature (physical growth)

        Success in favor from God and people

A. From God to people (v. 52)

        When there is a right relationship with God, it will be a possible to build a right relationship with people (Eph. 5:21).

        Broken relationship can only be restored if there is a good relationship with God, from Whom you acquire grace!

B. From father to Father (v. 48-49)

        These are the first words of Jesus in this Gospel. His obedience to His heavenly Father is now more important than His belonging to the earthly parents.

        A very important note – “Son” carries the idea not of a source, but of belonging. Barnabas was called “the son of encouragement” (Acts 4:36), James and John “the sons of thunder” (Mark 3:17), some are called “sons= of Gehenna (Matt. 23:15), and believers are “the sons of light” (John 12:36).

        Conclusion: the term “son” is often used to describe not the source of origin, but nature. Jesus is the Son of God, it does not mean the source of origin, but nature. Jesus is the Son of God, it does not mean the source (since God is in three persons, the eternal God), namely, His position is equal to God! That’s why the Jews wanted to kill Him more than once.

        As with Jesus, there is a reorientation from the earthly parents to the Heavenly Father, so is with us; this reorientation from the earthly to the heavenly must take place. Do you experience this process of rethinking who you belong to?

        The Communion is a physical image leading to the spiritual!

        At the age of 12, Jesus has this realization of who His Father is. Throughout His life on earth, this awareness only increased, and the relationship to God the Father culminated in the suffering, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

        (Lk 22:14-20 (Mt. my Father’s k.) 39-44; 23-32-34, 44-46)–suffering not only physically, but spiritually (bearing the sin and guilt of many), the near presence of the Father during darkness, separation from the Father, when all the wrath was poured out on Him, and death.

        Either it is all true, or it is a lie! C.S. Lewis once was asked: “What is the difference between Christianity and all other religions?” His answer was “Grace!” In the Gospel, every believer receives forgiveness for free!