Christ-Light Connections: The Twelve-Year-Old Jesus & John the Baptist

For centuries, Israel celebrated the Passover. They brought their unblemished lambs to the temple for sacrifice. Year after year, the sacrifices continued pointing forward to the coming Messiah who would sacrifice himself once for all. Now, this Messiah had finally arrived. In great anticipation, we watch the Son of God and man prepare for his ministry. Not only must Jesus prepare, but the world needed to be made ready to receive him. God sent one finally prophet to his people.

The Christ-Light theme this week is One greater than John is coming.

NT1 4A

The Twelve-Year-Old Jesus — Luke 2:41-52

Context

Luke chapter 2 is centrally about the birth of the Savior. We witness the birth through the eyes of other characters: Joseph, Mary, the Shepherds, Simeon, and Anna. In the narrative, Luke will occasionally turn the focus directly to Mary. “But Mary treasured up all these things…” (Luke 2:19), and “a sword will pierce your (Mary’s) soul too.” (Luke 2:35) Again, in this story, we are challenged to learn through the eyes of Jesus’ mother as she gradually gains an understanding of her son’s identity and purpose.

Luke points out that Joseph and Mary were careful to do everything required by the Law when Jesus was an infant. Now, twelve years later, we find the family attending the Passover in Jerusalem in keeping with the religious laws (Deuteronomy 16:1-8). At age twelve, Jesus would begin participating as an adult.

Big Ideas

Jesus is Human (Luke 2:40-50)

It is hard to wrap our minds around God existing as a child. The Creator had to learn to walk and talk just like every human. Even though God is all-knowing, as a human, Jesus didn’t know everything all of the time. In this story, the child, Jesus is learning many things from the religious teachers at the temple.

Conversation Starters:

• How does this story show Jesus didn’t know everything? How does this work with God being omniscient?
• How does it show him learning and growing?
• Is it comforting or confusing to see Jesus share the same weaknesses as us?

Jesus is God (Luke 2:49)

Focus on Jesus’ conversation with his parents (Luke 2:49). Jesus seems to be surprised that his parents didn’t know where he would be. Didn’t they fully understand who their son was? Perhaps Joseph and Mary didn’t fully understand their son’s true identity. But Jesus knew exactly who he was and that he had a divine purpose.

Conversation Starters:

• Why do you think Joseph and Mary did not expect Jesus to be at the temple?
• How long was Jesus lost? To what might this be pointing?

Digging Deeper

The Seeds of Faith resource provides Law and Gospel points as well as discussion questions.

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NT1 4B

John the Baptist — Matthew 3:1-12, Mark 1:1-8, Luke 3:1-18

Context

Now we jump forward about 18 years. The year is 26 AD and Jesus is 29-years-old, just about to begin his public ministry. Zechariah and Elizabeth’s miraculous child has grown up and is the voice of one calling in the wilderness (Isaiah 40:3-5).

Big Ideas

The Wilderness (Matthew 3:1-6, Mark 1:1-6, Luke 3:1-6)

John is a shocking preacher in a shocking setting. We would expect God to send his prophet to the temple, synagogues, or at least the cities were the people are. Instead, he is planted in the wilderness. Few lived in this barren region, and those who did were the poorest, neediest, most lonely people. Yet, John’s message reached the whole region. Many left their comfortable lives to be confronted with the realities of their sin.

Conversation Starters:

• Why do you think John lived such an uncomfortable life?
• How does the wasteland remind us of our sin?
• The setting also includes the river used for baptism. Describe what it would feel like to find water in a wasteland. How does this connect to John’s message?

Repent (Matthew 3:1-2, Luke 3:3)

In English, the command “repent” can give the impression that repentance is something that we must do for salvation. First, I say sorry, then God gives me faith and forgiveness.

However, repentance is actually something done to us. The Holy Spirit creates faith. Through the eyes of faith, we are able to recognize our sin. Through the eyes of faith, we turn from our old desires to rescue ourselves and toward Jesus. We are awakened to the reality of our sin and realize our true need for a savior. Repentance is a gift.

Hypocrisy (Matthew 3:7-11, Luke 3:7-9)

Meet the Pharisees and the Sadducees. They are the religious leaders and will appear many times in the Gospel narratives. The Pharisees were conservative and careful to obey the law. They would even add laws just so that they could have more laws to obey. The Sadducees were liberal. They did not believe in the miraculous or supernatural. Both John and Jesus were harsh with them. Many times they will be called hypocrites. On the outside, it looked like they were serving God, but their hearts were not motivated by faith-filled repentance. Instead, they were motivated by appearances of power. They did not have faith and were headed toward hell.

Conversation Starters:

• Was John’s message to the Pharisees and Sadducees loving?
• How do believers today struggle with hypocrisy? Why is hypocrisy dangerous?
• John told the unbelieving hypocritical leaders that they would go to hell. How would the message be different for a believer who struggles with hypocrisy?

Fruit Trees (Matthew 3:8, Luke 3:8-9)

It seemed like the religious leaders were producing fruit (doing good works), but faith and repentance were not the motivation. They had no faith and therefore no fruit. Several times in the New Testament, the acts of believers and unbelievers are compared to fruit that is grown on a tree or vine. In this narrative, the analogy is meant to preach the law to these unbelievers. Their actions were not fruit at all. No matter how many laws they obeyed, without faith, they could not produce fruit. Unbelievers cannot please God.

Conversation Starters:

• Start digging into this analogy. Can a dead tree produce fruit? Can a sick tree? What about a young tree? How do you help a fruit tree produce good fruit?
• Now compare your answers to the fruits of believers and unbelievers.

Digging Deeper

The Seeds of Faith resource provides Law and Gospel points as well as discussion questions