Astonishment in the Temple: The Boy Jesus Reveals His Divine Mission

Introduction

Key Theme: Jesus was not merely born but sent by the Father with a divine mission to accomplish.

Reference to Luke 19:10: "For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost."

Reference to John 17:4: "I glorified You on the earth, having accomplished the work which You have given Me to do."

Context for the Passage: Luke 2:41-52 depicts Jesus at age twelve, already aware of His divine mission, during a pivotal moment in His life.

Proposition: The sermon explores three key actions of the boy Jesus in the Temple that reveal:

1. His divine identity.

2. His understanding of His divine "must" (necessity).

3. His mission to accomplish the work the Father sent Him to do.

Lesson

I.  The boy Jesus astonished the teachers with His profound questions and insightful   answers in the Temple (vv. 41-47).

II.  The boy Jesus declared His mission, stating He had to be in His Father's house (vv. 48-49).

III.  The boy Jesus demonstrated obedience, returning to Nazareth with His parents (vv. 50-52).

Conclusion

Luke 2:41-52 reveals Jesus' divine identity and mission at age twelve in the Temple, pointing toward His ultimate sacrifice on the cross. His actions in the Temple are not just a charming story but a revelation of His purpose in God's plan for salvation.

Jesus as the true Temple (John 2:19-22), where His resurrected body becomes the enduring place of God's presence.

Jesus as the Passover Lamb (1 Corinthians 5:7; Hebrews 10:1-10), whose sacrifice on the cross fulfills the law and secures forgiveness of sins, transitioning from many sacrifices to one sufficient sacrifice.

©John Fonville. All Rights Reserved. 2025.