God’s Plan Advances: Jesus in the Temple • 02.15.26
God’s Plan Advances: Jesus in the Temple
Luke 2:22-52
Grasping the significance of God’s plan unfolding in the temple
- Mary and Joseph faithfully obey the Lord
- Jesus humbly submits to the Father
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Good morning church family! My name is Jack Flaherty and I serve as one of the pastors at Harvest. It’s my joy and privilege to open up God’s Word with you all this morning. Before we begin its time to dismiss all 4th and 5th graders. For the rest of us let’s open up our Bibles to Luke 2. Ushers would love to get you a Bible. We will be in Luke 2:22-52 today as we look at God’s plan continuing to advance through two different moments of Jesus at the temple.
As you turn there, I want to just recap briefly what we’ve seen in these first two chapters which are often know as the infancy narrative. We’ve seen two cousins, Elizabeth and Mary, be blessed with miraculous sons. John born to Elizabeth and Zechariah in their old age. And Jesus, born to Mary who is betrothed to Jesus and conceived by the Holy Spirit. Two couples, one young and one old, both giving birth to sons as announced by Gabriel who brought the news straight from the throne room of God! There have been songs and praise and proclamation about how these are not isolated incidents, nor just personal miracles, but linked fulfillments of prophecies centuries old that declare THE plan of God to seek and save the lost is advancing.
In all of that we’ve only covered about a year of time, but a lot has been said about John and Jesus—the forerunner making way for the promised savior and the Savior himself, God the Son in flesh. There has no doubt been some miraculous things happening and announced! Today, however, as we wrap up Luke 2, we see the God’s plan advance through two quiet temple scenes. Though awe inspiring and worship inducing, there isn’t anything flashy, no miracles, no angles show up. Instead, we see two young parents being obedient to the Word of God, two old saints who have been faithfully waiting on the Lord, and one average looking boy who models anything but average humility and submission.
I mentioned this is unfolds in two temple scenes. Luke helps us frame up the scenes and show advancing plan with summary comments on the growth of Jesus in Luke 2:40 & 52. The events we will see take place at about 33 days old and 12 years old. Then nothing again till 30. Only other details are from Matthew 2 who talks about the wise men and Joseph being warned to take Jesus to Egypt.
I’d argue best things in life take time and come in the slow moments of build up like this. Smoked meats are the best when not rushed. worthwhile athletic achievements like the Olympics are earned in the daily grind of work, rest, and nutrition. Goals for the new year like many of us set just over a month ago are accomplished not in a snap of your fingers but over the course of a year—reading books, learning skiils, memorizing verses, etc. There can be significant and impactful moments but overall it’s the everyday ordinary faithfulness and obedience.
Don’t be fooled by what seems like a lack of detail over time. I think it’s an intentional set up to share that thought the greatest plan ever executed had some miraculous moments it also took ordinary faithfulness. I think Luke chose these scenes to sum up succinctly that a regular diet of trust and obedience is what certainty in Jesus is all about. Today as we Grasping the significance of God’s plan unfolding in the temple lets consider how extraordinarily ordinary obedience and humility features in the salvation plan of God.
Let’s read the first section, Luke 2:22-40. Our first handle to grasp onto is that
- Mary and Joseph faithfully obey the Lord
These two young newlyweds and first-time parents have had a pretty exciting few months! Visits from angels. Miraculous birth of another family member. Traveled to Bethlehem to have a kid. Had some shepherds show up saying angels hollered at them in the field about this baby being the Messiah. What a ride! Do they respond by being paralyzed with all the chaos? Are they swollen in their heads with all this? No, what we see is simple obedience.
First, they follow the Law of the Lord. Looking back at v21 the obeyed what God said about what to call their baby. Jesus. Every time they said his name it’s a reminder of God’s faithfulness and the plan for this baby boy. But also, it’s a reminder they didn’t pick or do what they wanted, they obey. They continue to obey as we see their actions are according to the Law of the Lord in v22, 23, 24, v27 and again in v39. They followed what God said regarding circumcision and purification and presentation. In Leviticus 12 this is what the people of Israel were called to do. Not only is that in Lev 12 but that even goes back further to Ex 13 where after the Passover God told his people the firstborn belonged to him. No superhuman things going on. Faithful followers of God. Knowing the Scriptures and obeying it. And doing it without excuses.
They were poor! How do we know? See what they used for the sacrifice. Birds were for those who couldn’t afford the lamb. BUT they didn’t use lack as means of preventing them from worshipping God. If you are or have been in a position of financial struggle a couple of things for us. First, poverty is not necessarily a punishment or curse or sign of disapproval. Mary and Joseph were righteous people. Certainly so was Jesus! Anyone who tells you money equates to righteousness is a lair and teaching you falsely. You can be a fool and lose money, but poverty doesn’t automatically mean out of favor with God. Also, though we already said it, poverty is not an excuse to ignore the Word of God. Yes, it is a cross to bear. It comes with unique challenges and temptations, but it can also be a grace that keeps wealth from destroying us. So don’t despise that situation but ask God for help. Trust not in charlatans and get rich quick schemes but in faithful obedience to the Word. Finally, we ought never despise the poor as followers of Jesus .Jesus himself was poor. We are called to be a blessing to others, especially believers. That’s a bit of an aside, but I think helpful application from this text. By and large I am thankful for our church in this, but we always want to guard against wrong thinking on this.
A second way they faithfully obey is that they the listen to waiting older saints. They were young. We can learn from these young saints. But also, as Mary and Joseph model, we can learn from obedience and faithfulness of old saints. We’ve seen this in Zechariah and Elizabeth but two other older saints show up here. Both who are waiting. Look at the parallels in v25 and v38. They were waiting and representing the obedient position of all who were waiting! When Mary and Joseph obediently arrive in the temple, these older saints share that is that baby Jesus is the one who was wroth waiting for!
Simeon is devout and righteous, which is likely a way to say he was in good standing with God and man. He was given a special gift at this time in redemption history as he had the Holy Spirit. AND the Spirit gave him a promise that he would not die until seeing the Messiah. One day he gets a prompting to come to the temple and it just so happens to be the day Jesus is there. WOW! He grabs the baby, not as creepy old man but as Spirit filled saint and shares that in his hands is salvation! We will say more about Words he spoke in a minute but think about what this baby in his hands is. This is the faithfulness of God to his Word. What Simeon holds in his hands isn’t just the evidence of God’s faithfulness to him, BUT Simeon holds in his arms centuries of waiting and yearning! This is the faithfulness of the promises repeated to save mankind since Genesis 3 and repeated to Abraham, Jacob, David, Isaiah, Jeremiah, and others. They’d been waiting for this through long and tortuous history. Simeon declares the wait is over. I can depart in peace.
Then Anna. The details of her lineage indicate God’s faithfulness to all the Israel to be a part of this promise. Not to be rude, but this lady is old! Either read as she was 84 OR that she was a widow for 84 years (meaning she’s somewhere north of 100). Either way, she is described as nonstop worshipping. Fasting and praying–humbled and calling upon God to come through. And just so happens she is there at the hour when Jesus came in. How does she respond? With thanks! Not bitterness for all the waiting but thanks for the answers and God’s faithfulness to His Word! So glad for the older saints in our church who are not bitter but full of boisterous praise and thanks and joy. As we get old practice this practice of thanksgiving. And lets practice not ever tiring of sharing good news! In v38 Anna shares good news which is our role not matter how old.
A more basic application even before sharing the good news is knowing the good news from God’s word. This story tells us God’s Words can be trusted! And that trust means we need to respond by reading and obeying. Are you reading the Word? Do you trust it? To help in poverty? to help with good news? to help with bad news? We see all of that on display here! You might get tired of hearing be in the Word but we can’t say we trust this is the living and activity inspirited authoritative sufficient communication from God to mean and then neglect it.
Further, we ought not just read it but meditate on it. Simeon and Anna were waiting and long time and represented those who were obediently waiting. They had to spend time thinking it over and over. Had to image Mary and Joseph do the same. Think on the Word. Then share it. Again this is a message that is divisive, but it needs to be shared. Salvation is coming through Jesus.
Much we can learn from the young and the old! Both are showing faithful obedience! But let’s not forget the key of what Mary and Joseph are told here. Continuing to reiterate the plan of God, one into which they are been called. One that is unfolding before their very eyes as they grow in understanding they will not have normal parent child relationships.
Why not? Well, the third way they show faithful obedience in they marvel at the scope and cost of salvation. Back now to Simeon’s words. We see in v29-32 he will be savior for ALL peoples. Light for Gentiles and glory for Israel. God is faithful to his word to Simeon and Anna and all people. Mary and Joseph in v33 respond by marveling! Probably both about this message of what their son would be but also even more about the scope of the plan. This is for all people, not just Jews! The good news is not exclusive! They’ve heard this but still need reminded. So do we sometimes. We get very comfortable in reaching out to those near, but we need to reach the nations and those in hard places!
But that’s not all he said. Again, Simeon held in his hands the fulfilment of centuries of promises AND the Creator of the universe. WOW! But Jesus who is to bring peace as declared by Zechariah in Luke 1:70 and angels by the angels in Luke 2:14 and now Simeon, does it in a unique way. After their marveling, Simeon looks to Mary, maybe with a tear in his eye both of joy but also sadness for Mary. and in v34 and 35 he spells out that this baby doesn’t just bring a light that illuminates salvation. He also brings a light that exposes sin and darkness. The fall and rise of many means there will be opposition to this baby. This opposition reveals hearts. This tiny one month old would grow up and all creation would have to give an answer…follow or oppose. Simeon looks at salvation and foresees the cross. And this will be hard not just for him BUT for momma.
But Mary doesn’t reject it. As we already read in v39 and v40 Jesus’ grows in wisdom and strength. God’s favor was on him. HE is God’s son BUT also Mary and Josephs. I think we see implied here they raise Jesus is wisdom and admonition of the Lord, even knowing pain might be a part of his future and theirs. I can’t imagine the role they played. And we only have some much about that. But what we see is a faithful obedience and surrender as Jesus grows. That summary shows us the need for obedience faithfully. Mary and Joseph, Simeon and Anna. Jesus would follow.
Parents hate to see hard things happen to our kids. We know it can build them up and be good. But how would a word like this land. Hard! We recently read a children’s biography of Adoniram Judson who was the first American missionary to Burma. His story is quite moving and had Emily and I in tears reading to our kids. Suffering to him, his wife, and his children. Yet he trusted it was God’s call, as did his wife Ann, and they faithfully obeyed. Some of you know the story of him asking Ann’s father permission to marry her before going overseas, but it’s worth reading. ““I have now to ask whether you can consent to part with your daughter early next spring, to see her no more in this world ? Whether you can consent to her departure to a heathen land, and her subjection to the hardships and sufferings of a missionary life? Whether you can consent to her exposure to the dangers of the ocean; to the fatal influence of the southern climate of India; to every kind of want and distress; to degradation, insult, persecution, and perhaps a violent death? Can you consent to all this, for the sake of Him who left His heavenly home and died for her and for you; for the sake of perishing, immortal souls; for the sake of Zion and the glory of God? Can you consent to all this, in hope of soon meeting your daughter in the world of glory, with a crown of righteousness brightened by the acclamations of praise which shall resound to her Saviour from heathens saved, through her means, from eternal woe and despair? ” We never think God might call us into pain, couldn’t be his will to be involved in mess or suffering. Maybe accidental. but not intentional. May we be ready to faithfully obey even if we or our kids are sent to something hard.
God is on the move as the plan unfolds in the temple. Mary and Joseph show faithful obedience to the Law of the Lord as they follow it, as they listen to waiting saints who model obedience, and as they understand the scope and cost of the work of Jesus. The dedicate their son, the present him at the temple, and they in essence are entrusting him to the mission he’s been given. As we move to our next section, we see the Son embrace his mission, make a pronouncement in the temple and give a sneak declaration of what business he is all about.
Lets read the second section, Luke 2:41-52. Our second handle to grasp onto is that
- Jesus humbly submits to the Father
Still see Jesus’ parents’ obedience on display as they take him to the temple every year for Passover. More ordinary faithfulness in parenting and prioritizing God and his Word in their family. Jesus is now 12 years old and a classic Home Alone incident occurs. Mary realizes and yells “JESUS!” wonder what those conversations were like. “Great, you lost the son of God! Well I packed the tent, made breakfast, least you could do is keep an eye on the boy.” It was normal to travel in caravans like this. Some people try to say Jesus was being disobedient but that’s not his tone at all. He was enthralled with God and his Word as hit sits among the teachers.
But what we do see is parents seek their son. They are responsible taking him and responsible looking! The searched as v46 says for three days! and their words in v48 shows this searching was serious! They put in effort to seek their son. Sometimes responsible parenting is in response to failure! They lost BUT went looking and looked hard! And they find their son.
And what follows in v47-50 is series of astonishments and confusions. 1) People amazed at Jesus understanding and answers. 2) Parents astonished at where he is at and what he is doing. 3) Jesus seems genuine surprised by their questions of where he was. This is not disrespect as evidence by 4) their following lack of understanding and confusion. Nonetheless, we see Jesus is an obedience and submissive some to Mary and Joseph. Jesus has the right priorities and parents are coming to grips with what this will mean. As we already said, this is not a normal relationship. That had to be hard! BUT I think it’s fair to say that if we too are seeking Jesus, then he ought to displace “normal” in our lives. We aren’t called to live normal lives as Christians, but we are called to live with ordinary faithfulness.
Jesus demonstrates ordinary faithfulness in submitting to his parents. He is an obedient son, he never sins and has not done so in this circumstance. They too aren’t perfect but are trying to be responsible and faithful. Ultimately what we see playing out, in the first words of Jesus recorded in the gospel and the ONE episode Luke choose to summarize 30ish years, Jesus shows he has a clear understanding of His ID. He is where he is supposed to be in his Father’s house. Luke us not just highlighting the parents seeking their son, but the Son seeks the Father. This was not normal language even for devout Jews. Yes God is their Father BUT not like that. He wasn’t trying to get out of trouble or be sassy — Jesus is speaking truth! Two key things about him seeking the Father.
First, he loved to do the Father’s will. This will show up all over Luke. What is translated “must” is the word δει which means “it is necessary” is repeated 8x in this gospel all by Jesus speaking to the mission. He is obligated. He must. This is the way! This is the plan! He is submitting to the Father’s will! Some translations say “about my Father’s business” or “among those who belong to my Father” but I think ESV is good here. A part of that submission is actually submitting to imperfectly earthly parents. You think obeying our parents is tough! How much more should we obey imperfect earthly authorities. Example to follow AND to see how short we fall and need him. This is incredible submission to his earthly parents is a part of submission to God the Father.
Second, he loved to study the Word. The word for questions possibly indicates openness to learning. But the way he is responding shows he has great understanding. He “is amongst the teachers” like one of them. The other times we see Jesus ask questions of teachers fits the opposition narrative of Simeon. This is the first meeting with those who eventually will be greatly opposed to him! But he loved the Word and wanted more of it. To learn and share and talk and teach and be taught. As we already said, this ought to be his followers disposition too.
Jesus behavior blows his parents’ mind! We see again this phrase in v51 that has been said in v19. This treasuring is a hope and faith. Not full understanding but continuing to think with desire to know more fully. Luke has been trying to get us to trust and he is showing it’s not as simple as just do it! His parents saw angels, they get it, and yet still wrestle. The ponder and treasure. Thinking on it more. Mary knows Jesus is special. Jesus was a good submissive son. Jesus submitted to the will and Word of God, even when it hurt. Parents had a cost but none more cost than Jesus.
I recently have been blessed to read Humbled by David Mathis. The book looked at all the times the Bible says “humble ourselves/yourselves.” While we are prone to say “give me the five steps and I can do it” the Bible’s message is more that we do nothing other than get under the hand of God as HE humbles us through his Word and his providence. Humility is a uniquely creaturely thing as we respond to be in right standing with our Creator. Not that God is the opposite of humble, but he is Creator and right response to himself is to make himself magnified and glorified.
Which means when we think about the humility on display from Jesus in the Bible and especially here as its our focus today, it ought to make us scratch our heads. As Mathis wraps up his book he looks at Philippians 2 where Paul tells us that Jesus humbled himself. According to v5-7 of Philippians 2 Jesus did this by taking on flesh. He emptied himself by adding humanity. Not that he got rid of Deity but added humanity. Jesus could have grasped the divine privilege of no subjecting himself to humanity! But what did he do? Paul says in Philippians 2:8-11 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
This is what Luke is trying to show us! The plan is unfolding in the temple that God has taken on flesh! He is humbly becoming obedient unto the point of death, even death of a cross. That’s why we put all our hope and trust in Jesus. That’s why we sing our guts out on a Sunday morning. That’s why we get on our knees and talk to God when things are hard. That’s why we fast and pray when we need help because there is only one who is exalted above all names, who we confess as Savior, who is the focus of this plan, who can help us be saved and faithfully obey and follow him in submission. Jesus Christ! And that testifies to one of the clearest promises in Scripture, God humbles the proud and exalts the humble. As we see in Phil 2:9 Jesus was super exalted. And so too God will do the same for those who are in Christ. PTL!
is that where you hope is today? The one who humbly submitted himself? As we look again at the summary statement of v52 Jesus kept growing. His parents keep being faithful. We hear nothing for another 18 years but the unfolding plan is still moving towards the adult life & ministry of Jesus, concluding in his death and resurrection. Humbled and exalted. That’s the plan becoming more clear in Luke’s gospel.
How about in your life? If you haven’t placed your faith in the one who willingly humbled himself to save us, do it! Place your faith in Jesus! If you have, how are you doing at letting him continue to humble you? The main actors’ display trust and obedience and submission to the Lord to encourage and challenged our own daily obedience. Take the next step today in response. Are you letting Jesus upset “normal” in your own life as he did Mary and Joseph? Are you waiting on the promises of God like Anna and Simeon? Are you following the example of your humbled and exalted Savior and submitting the Father? He laid down glory so we might be glorified. Jesus was perfectly righteous so he could impart his righteousness to us. He was born to die so that when we die we may live eternally. He is a faithful Savior who loves us. Let’s close in a prayer for praise.
Pray