The Early Years

by FULLARTON, R. B. | Category: N/a | Dec 2006

We are grateful to Doctor Luke, under the guidance of the divine Spirit, for furnishing us with an orderly account of the early life of the Lord Jesus in chapter two of his gospel.

Earliest development

In accordance with the census requirement that was issued from Rome by the emperor Augustus (Caesar Octavianus), Joseph and Mary made their way from Nazareth in Galilee to Bethlehem in Judaea, a journey of some seventy miles, to enrol their names. We are told that Mary was �great with child� (v.5), i.e. at a well- advanced stage in her pregnancy. We do not know how long they were in Bethlehem, certainly a few days at least (see v.6), but there must have been many people there for the same purpose. So we learn from this record that the Lord�s development in the womb of the virgin was completely natural.

Babyhood

In all likelihood the Lord of glory was born in a building where animals were kept, adjacent to a house or hotel. Mary herself lovingly wrapped her tiny firstborn son in long strips of warm cloth. At the same time, an angelic messenger was conveying the wonderful news of the Saviour�s birth, God�s gift to the world, to shepherds on night-watch duty, an occupation by no means highly regarded in those times, indeed one looked upon as �inferior�. Their alarm gave way to astonishment as the single messenger was joined by a multitude of the heavenly host praising God. On the departure of these heavenly visitors, the shepherds travelled from their pastures, most probably on the outskirts of the town, to see for themselves �the Babe� (v.16) in the lovely, closely knit family unit of father, mother, and child. Heavenly praise was now accompanied by earthly praise from the joyful hearts of these humble men (v.20).

Infancy

Following the fulfilment of the requirements of Leviticus 12 concerning a mother who had borne male offspring, the Lord�s parents brought Him at the tender age of forty one days to the temple in Jerusalem �to present him to the Lord� (v.22). He had already been �presented� in a sense to Israel and the world (cp. vv.10,14), but here was something that was very special to His Father. Unable to afford the lamb for the burnt offering, Joseph and Mary took full advantage of the Lord�s provision for the poor in the lesser but equally valid offering. Then came the meeting with Simeon, to whom the promise had been given by the Holy Spirit that he would not die until he had seen the long-awaited Messiah. He had been patiently waiting for this moment, and now he held in those likely frail arms, the Son of God, and gave God thanks publicly for being able to savour this moment, declaring Him to be the light of the Gentiles, and the glory of Israel. On hearing such words the Lord�s father and mother were shaken, and more so when he addressed Mary directly announcing her future sorrow because of what would happen to her son. The Ancient of Days, who had become in incarnation the Infant of Days, would one day suffer and die.

The next to appear on the scene was Anna, remarkably fit for her years (which may have been well over a hundred), as borne out by her regular attendance at the temple. She had known the trauma of losing her husband not far on in married life, yet she remained faithful to the Lord and thankful for all His mercies to her day by day. She likewise testified of this little one as the �bringer� of redemption, as well as the �giver� of consolation to many in Israel (vv.25, 37, 38).

Childhood

Verse 40 tells us that the Lord�s �growth� as a child was completely natural, but there was an added dimension to it. He not only grew physically and mentally, but also spiritually, God�s grace filling His young life.

Boyhood

The Lord was a normal boy in so many ways, yet so different from every other youngster in that His preoccupation was doing His Father�s will, being involved in the Father�s work, and giving Him pleasure by glorifying His name. Luke specifically mentions the age of twelve at which the boy Jesus (v.43) went up to Jerusalem with His folks and, in all probability, some of His siblings, at the time of the feast. On the return journey the Lord�s parents noticed He was missing after travelling for about a day, so they went back (another day�s trek), and then spent the best part of another day looking for Him. They found Him in the temple, listening, questioning, and answering Hebrew scholars of the day in such a way that they were amazed. All this time, He was �serving� His Father with every ounce of energy at His disposal; truly �immersed� in His Father�s business (v.49, See RV Mg.). Yet, the Lord did not disrespect His earthly parents one bit. Luke is careful to record �he was subject to them� (v.51). Service with due subjection was the order of the day in the life of this outstanding boy.

Youth

The Lord�s development is seen to continue in a perfectly �natural� way in verse 52, yet wisdom, maturity, and spirituality are all in perfect harmony and impeccable quality. (Scripture quotations are from RV)

This is the wondrous story -

Born of a Hebrew maid

The Lord of life and glory;

And in a manger laid.

He grew in human stature,

In every childlike grace;

He lived a life most holy

In all His youthful days. (C.M.Luxmoore)

FULLARTON, R. B. | Dec 2006
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