While it is true Jesus was much more than a teacher, it is equally true that He was nothing less, which suggests a sermon on this text might explore Jesus’ teaching ministry; both then and now.
Unnoticed by his four-year-old daughter, he leaned against the doorframe to her room before bedtime. She was working hard to prepare her doll for surgery. The little bed had been made, the band aids and cotton balls had been lined up, and she was just finishing her instructions to mommy doll to wait in the waiting room (closet). Then, with the patience and precision of a seasoned cardiologist, she performed life-saving surgery with her most trusted stuffed animals keeping watch. The dad smiled to himself and wondered what her future held. He blinked, and she was crossing the stage at graduation from medical school.
It does not always go that way. Sometimes the argumentative freshmen does not become a lawyer. Sometimes the kitchen-aid mixing “tween” chooses not to go into food service. It is hard to tell when they are young. Are your children giving you a glimpse of things to come, or are they simply being kids?
This week’s Gospel reading is one of a kind. It is the only glimpse we have of Jesus’ childhood in the entire Scriptures. After His birth and escape to Egypt, the evangelists are uninterested in recording any specifics until His baptism. They give no details about His life as a child, His teenage years, or His early adulthood, except for this text, and it is instructive. It gives us a glimpse, a preview of what Jesus will do and be when he grows up.
What would our Lord become? A teacher. Of all the titles given to Jesus in the four Gospels, “teacher” (διδάσκαλος) is among the most common, rivaling in frequency the descriptions of Him as “Christ,” “Son of David,” and “Son of God.” While it is true Jesus was much more than a teacher, it is equally true that He was nothing less, which suggests a sermon on this text might explore Jesus’ teaching ministry; both then and now.
In these verses, Jesus’ teaching began in the Temple. Leave aside His parents and their stressful search for a moment and consider things from His perspective. He was not lost, far from it. There was nothing more natural for Him than to be in the Temple among the religious teachers. Their conversation seems to have been an active exchange. He was listening to them and asking questions (2:46), and they were listening to Him and the answers he was giving them (2:47). Luke does not satisfy our curiosity about the specifics, but he leaves no question about their reaction. Like so many people who heard Jesus preach and teach after His baptism, they were amazed at what they heard Him say. It seems His teaching was, to some extent, successful.
Like so many people who heard Jesus preach and teach after His baptism, they were amazed at what they heard Him say.
Jesus’ teaching continued when his parents found him. They had been worried sick for three days, and “very distressed” seems too soft (Luke uses the same word in Luke 16:24 to describe the anguish of the rich man in Hell, which may be closer to what they experienced). So, it is not surprising when His mother scolds Him. But Jesus did not respond with an apology. Instead, He started teaching them, too. Luke leaves the precise nature of the lesson a bit ambiguous. The English Standard Version (ESV) emphasizes the location, “Did you not know that I must be in My Father’s house?” It also includes a footnote admitting the Greek is more open-ended. Another option: “Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business (οὐκ ᾔδειτε ὅτι ἐν τοῖς τοῦ πατρός μου δεῖ εἶναί με)?” Mary and Jospeh did not understand. They would not be the last. But even if she did not get it, Mary did according to her usual practice (see Luke 2:19) and treasured these things in her heart.
His teaching continues today. But what does Jesus teach us?
You might follow the optional reading from the ESV and say Jesus teaches us His Father’s business. And what business is that? His Father was in the business of restoring His creation. This begins with His humans, which has been the plan since the very beginning. Paul gets at this in the epistle reading from Ephesians 1. Speaking to Jew and Gentile believers, he notes how the Father “chose us in Him before the foundation of the world... He predestined us for adoption to Himself as sons through Jesus Christ.” In Jesus, we have “the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace which He lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight making known to us the mystery of His will.” What is His will? What is His plan? “To unite all things in Him, things in Heaven and things on Earth.”
Jesus came as the Word and Prophet of God to teach us the will of God. But He did more than simply teach about it. He also came to do it. Through His life and ministry, He healed and forgave. Through His suffering and death, He bore sins. Through His resurrection, He led the way to life. Through it all, Jesus was doing the saving business of His Father for you and me and everyone who hears you preach this sermon. That promise of salvation is your privilege to proclaim. And with the promise, you also get to speak a word of encouragement. The Father’s business does not end at the door to the church. It continues out in the world as He sends His people to live “to the praise of His glory” (Ephesians 1:12, 14) for all people.
Mary did not understand everything Jesus taught her, but she treasured these things and so do we. We do not always understand the Father’s way of doing business, but we keep listening. We keep pondering. We keep learning from the crucified and risen Teacher as we study the Scriptures which proclaim His name.
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Additional Resources:
Craft of Preaching-Check out out 1517’s resources on Luke 2:40-52.
Concordia Theology-Various helps from Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, MO to assist you in preaching Luke 2:40-52.
Text Week-A treasury of resources from various traditions to help you preach Luke 2:40-52.
Lectionary Kick-Start-Check out this fantastic podcast from Craft of Preaching authors Peter Nafzger and David Schmitt as they dig into the texts for this Sunday!
Lectionary Podcast-Dr. Walter A. Maier III of Concordia Theological Seminary in Ft. Wayne, IN walks us through Luke 2:40-52.
