Favor & Foolishness
(10) The Paradox of Faith - Luke 2:39-52
Dear Reader,
May “The Lord bless you, and keep you; The Lord make His face shine on you,
And be gracious to you; The Lord lift up His countenance on you, And give you peace.’” (Numbers 6:24-26).
The Paradox of Faith.
Jesus grew in wisdom as a child. (Luke 1:39-40)
Jesus grew in favor with God and man as a child. (Luke 1:41-52)
Aim: Favor, Grace, and Wisdom are all gifts from God.
Can Anything Good Come From Nazareth?
We all have biased opinions and flawed judgments about people, place, things, and even God. The Savior of the world grew up in a small town that culturally was considered the abasement of Israel, the disciple Nathaniel famously asked the question, “Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?” Nathanael asked. “Come and see,” said Philip” (John 1:46). The Bible provides some insight about the childhood of Jesus, but it’s mainly just a few puzzling pieces that readers our left with assumptions and a few facts such as:
His brothers and sisters. Matthew, Mark, Acts, 1st Corinthians, James, and Jude, reference that Jesus had four brothers (Matthew 13:55, Mark 6:3, Acts 15:1-35, 1st Corinthians 9:5, James 1:1, Jude 1:1) in James, Joseph, Simon, and Jude along with sisters (Matthew 13:56). His brothers were unbelievers until after the resurrection (Matthew 12:46, Acts 1:14).
Firstborn. Jesus was also the first born son (Luke 2:22-24) in his family but as God the Son, he is supreme over all creation. “The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.” - Colossians 1:15.
Carpenter by trade. Joseph, was a carpenter by trade and the locals in Nazareth referred to Jesus as the carpenter. (Matthew 13:55, Mark 6:3).
Fled to Egypt. As an infant, for a brief period, his family escaped persecution and lived in Egypt (Hosea 11:1, Matthew 2:13-19).
Nazareth. He spent most of his growing up and into early adulthood in Nazareth (Matthew 2:23, Luke 4:16).
Twenty One (21) times in the New Testament, Jesus is referred to as “Jesus of Nazareth”.
Notice on the map below, Nazareth was strategically located near Samaria, Jesus as a child would of been protected from the self-seeking religious leaders, they would of had to go through Samaria from Jerusalem and that was avoided because of pride and arrogance (Luke 10:25-37).
Truths:
Foolishness: God Chooses Foolish Things to Shame The Wise.
“27 But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. 28 God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, 29 so that no one may boast before him.” - 1st Corinthians 1:27-29.
What the world may consider foolish, God uses as instruments to bring about His plans. The religious leaders and the educated of the 1st century, were not looking in Nazareth for the Savior. “When Joseph and Mary had done everything required by the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee to their own town of Nazareth.” - Luke 2:39. “Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?” Nathanael asked. “Come and see,” said Philip” (John 1:46).
Wisdom: The Way Up is Down.
“46An argument started among the disciples as to which of them would be the greatest. 47 Jesus, knowing their thoughts, took a little child and had him stand beside him. 48 Then he said to them, “Whoever welcomes this little child in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. For it is the one who is least among you all who is the greatest.” - Luke 9:46-48
Children have a way of teaching adults about God, we should not discount there contribution or example of faith. “Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.” - 1st Timothy 4:12. In the temple courts, a twelve year old taught the teachers, “After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. 47 Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers.” - Luke 2:46-47. I wonder any chance a young Nicodemus (John 3:1-17, John 7:50-51, John 19:39) or Joseph of Arimathea (John 19:38-42) was in the crowd in those days?
Favor: Who God is With
One of the best stories in the bible about the topic of ‘favor’ is the story of Joseph. The word ‘favor’ is repeated one hundred fifty eight times (x158) in the NIV translation of the bible. God gave Joseph favor in a hostile family, in a foreign land, in prison, and in national leadership. “Because the patriarchs were jealous of Joseph, they sold him as a slave into Egypt. But God was with him” (Acts 7:9). The bible uses a number of phrases to indicate that God was with Joseph (Genesis 39:2, Genesis 39:20-22, Genesis 39:23). If God is for you, it does not matter who is against you (See Romans 8:31). “You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.” -1st John 4:4. “Then he went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. But his mother treasured all these things in her heart. 52 And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.” - Luke 2:51-52.
What foolishness and wisdom you have learned in living by faith in Christ?
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Liked the question about Nicodemus...have also often wondered where he fit in after the resurrection...the story of Joseph is a great illustration of how God uses even evil circumstances to carve out his plans!
This biblical research and your explanations are incredible!