Bethel Baptist Church
Luke: My Father's House
Scripture Reading: Luke 2:39-52 This account, found only in Luke's gospel, recalls Jesus as a twelve-year-old boy. It is the only story we have of Christ between His infancy and the beginning of His public ministry. What is revealed in this account is the union of humanity and divinity in one person. The humanity of Jesus is on display, not only in the fact that Jesus was twelve years old, but also in Luke's description of Jesus. "And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom" (Lk 2:40). "And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man" (Lk 2:52). Jesus was truly human, in need of physical, mental, and spiritual growth. We also see in this passage the divinity of Christ when He spoke of being in His Father's house. What is uniquely revealed here is that, at a young age, Jesus was aware of His being the Son of God and that His work was of a divine necessity. "Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?" (Lk 2:49). In the union of divinity and humanity in Christ, we see the magnitude of His merciful condescension. The Creator becomes a creature. The Sovereign becomes a servant. He who is life subjects Himself to death. The Judge becomes the judged. Such love and sacrifice call us to a consuming love, a heartfelt contrition, and a humble, sacrificial service ... all the days of our lives.
