Favor with God and Men

Luke 2:36-52

Anna Bears Witness to the Redeemer

36 Now there was one, Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, and had lived with a husband seven years from her virginity; 37 and this woman was a widow of about eighty-four years, who did not depart from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day. 38 And coming in that instant she gave thanks to the Lord, and spoke of Him to all those who looked for redemption in Jerusalem.

The Family Returns to Nazareth

39 So when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own city, Nazareth. 40 And the Child grew and became strong in spirit, filled with wisdom; and the grace of God was upon Him.

The Boy Jesus Amazes the Scholars

41 His parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover. 42 And when He was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem according to the custom of the feast. 43 When they had finished the days, as they returned, the Boy Jesus lingered behind in Jerusalem. And Joseph and His mother did not know it; 44 but supposing Him to have been in the company, they went a day's journey, and sought Him among their relatives and acquaintances. 45 So when they did not find Him, they returned to Jerusalem, seeking Him. 46 Now so it was that after three days they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both listening to them and asking them questions. 47 And all who heard Him were astonished at His understanding and answers. 48 So when they saw Him, they were amazed; and His mother said to Him, "Son, why have You done this to us? Look, Your father and I have sought You anxiously."

49 And He said to them, "Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father's business?" 50 But they did not understand the statement which He spoke to them.

Jesus Advances in Wisdom and Favor

51 Then He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was subject to them, but His mother kept all these things in her heart. 52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.

Jesus Christ was thanked by a devout widow and prophet who served God with fasting and prayer in the temple to worship the Lord when He arrived.  This Anna thanked Him for the redemption the Son of God had brought to men on that day after waiting a lifetime for that moment.  His earthly parents fulfilled all the Law required before returning to Nazareth in Galilee where they watched the child grow strong in both spirit and wisdom because the grace of God was observed on Him.  This is a reminder for us to imitate this example of Christ to grow in our own spiritual life in Christ to learn wisdom which He teaches us through His word and by His indwelling Spirit by the grace of God in Him.  We see later how the young boy Jesus was about His Father’s business when they traveled to Jerusalem as they did every year to celebrate the Jewish Passover in a perpetual remembrance of their deliverance from their people’s bondage in Egypt.  They realized on their return trip that their son was not in the group they travelled to and so went back after a day to look for Him.  It took them an additional three days to find Jesus.  He was sitting in the house of God with the rabbis listening and asking questions to them with such great un that they all marveled as to who this twelve year old boy could be.  He knew the scriptures and understood them more than well enough to hold His own among the most learned scholars there.  His parents were in a shock as well and so He returned home with them and subjected to their authority even as His mother treasured these things in her heart with wonder as she recalled the prophecy concerning Him before supernaturally coming into the world (Luke 1:32-33, 35, 2:19).  His answer for why they were seeking Him in the temple must have been rolling around in her thoughts about how he needed to be about His Father’s business and which she and her husband could not yet grasp.  This son of hers had favor with God and men because He did all things well and was there doing the Heavenly Father’s work yet to be revealed.  That is what the prophetess widow Anna had a glimpse of and which they would soon discover for themselves.