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Christmas Meditations • Divine Submission

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READ: Luke 2:39-52

Luke 2:41-52 has always had an aura of holy intrigue to me.  Beyond simply providing a moral motivation to cultivate a relationship with God (i.e., “Jesus was serious about knowing God, so we should be, too”), I’ve always felt there was a richer significance to this passage.  I admit I did a (very) little research on this passage and feel like I’ve scratched the surface of that significance that climaxes in vv. 49-52.  Let me see if I can explain it.

Jesus’ family has just left Jerusalem to return home.  A day into this journey, His parents realize that He is missing and return to Jerusalem to look for Him.  They frantically search for Him for three days (vv. 45-46, 48c), only to discover Him in the temple, asking and answering questions of the teachers (vv. 46-47).  His parents express their astonishment at their Son’s behavior, rebuking Him that He had “treated [them] so” (v. 48).  Jesus’ reply is interesting, as He seems to be surprised at the extensiveness of their search.  He asks, “Why were you looking for me?”  His second question (which grammatically requires a positive answer) explains the first: Jesus is stating that His parents should not have been looking for Him, but rather should have know where to find Him–in His Father’s house.  Now, from a simply human 12-year-old child, this response would have been, not only odd, but also insubordinate, inconsiderate, and insensible.  But, this cannot be so from Jesus.  Rather, “Jesus’ reply, though gentle in manner, suggests the establishment of a break between Himself and His parents” (NIGTC, Luke).

See, Mary had been told that her Child would be the “Son of the Most High” and the “Son of the God” (Luke 1:32, 35), and now she was witnessing that reality.  His reply demonstrates that He is the Son of God who relates the Father in a special way, one which she doesn’t fully understand (v. 50).  As a mother, she has certain expectations of submission, obedience, and demeanor from her children; Jesus has challenged those expectations, but in a way vastly different from all other children.  Mary was learning that “Jesus’ obedience to His parents lies within a more fundamental relationship to God” (ibid).  I think that they were starting to learn with Pilate that whatever authority or felt-ownership they had over Him, it was given to them by this Child Himself (cf. John 19:10-11).  Jesus is the Son of God!

What is for me profoundly powerful in the young example of Christ in this passage is verse 51.  His earthly parents were understandably having a bit of a difficult time discerning how to raise and relate to this Child who was God’s Son!  He had just discipled them with His example and reply.  Nevertheless, after demonstrating His divinity in His gentle rebuke, He graciously surrenders Himself to their parenting.  The text says, “He went down with them…and was submissive to them” (v. 51).  In fact, He surrenders Himself to them in the same way that the demons are subjected to Him (cf. Luke 10:17, 20–same Gk. word, only other occurrences).  So, the “temporary unveiling of Jesus’ relationship with His Father…is followed by Jesus’ return to normal obedience to His parents” (ibid).  What a vivid picture of meekness, gentleness, mercy, patience, and grace toward His creation (who in this context just happen to be His earthly parents)!  What a beautiful illustration of what Paul wrote of Him in Philippians 2:5-8…and this was just the beginning of His humility, for He would climax His gentle grace on the cross!  So, while His power was incomprehensible as the “Son of the Most High,” this Child willingly lived as and repeatedly proclaimed Himself to be the meek Son of man!

O Jesus, I’m humbled by Your immeasurable humility…may I “have this attitude in [myself] which was also in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 2:5, NASB).

O Jesus, I’m overwhelmed with gratitude for Your gentle grace…may the resulting cross only and ever be my boast (Galatians 6:14).



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