The Gospels – Childhood Years of Yeshua the Messiah, Luke 2:40-52

28 February 2025

We are studying Luke chapter 2:40-52 today about the CHILDHOOD YEARS OF YESHUA THE MESSIAH.

We are mainly reading from the Complete Jewish Study Bible – insight for Jews and Christians with cross references to other Bible versions. As well as the Nelson’s Foundational Bible Dictionary.

As you know we are using the Hebrew names of God the Father, namely YHVH (Yod-Heh-Vav-Heh) where the word LORD in capital letters is used in standard versions of the Bible, and we will also use the description, Abba Father.  And we use the Hebrew Name Yeshua the Messiah instead of the English Name Jesus Christ translated from the Greek.

In Luke 2:40 we read: “The child grew and became strong and filled with wisdom – God (the Father’s) favor was upon Him.”

We therefore see the fulfilment of the prophecy of Isaiah 11 of Yeshua the Messiah who was characterized as one on which the Spirit of YHVH rested. We will talk more about it later in this message.

We read in Luke 2:41 “Every year Yeshua’s parent went to Jerusalem for the FESTIVAL of PESACH (PASSOVER in English).”

The Jewish Study Bible explains: The THREE PILGRIMAGE FESTIVALS on the BIBLICAL CALENDER as indicated in Leviticus 23 as the FEAST of YHVH. Included “PESACH (PASSOVER), SHAVUOT (WEEKS/ PENTECOST) and SUKKOT (TABERNACLES). The THREE FESTIVALS are also known as the THREE FEAST SEASONS (MOED in Hebrew) – read Deuteronomy 16:16.

The Afrikaans Bible in Practice explains: Every man was obliged by God’s LAW (the Torah – Genesis tot Deuteronomy), to travel to Jerusalem THREE TIMES a YEAR for the GREAT FESTIVALS (read Deuteronomy 16:16 and Leviticus 23). PASSOVER was celebrated in the SPRING in JERUSALEM (around March/ April on our calendar) and immediately followed by the week-long FEAST OF UNLEAVENED BREAD.

The PASSOVER commemorated the sparing of the Hebrew firstborn in the tenth plague of Egypt, and the EXODUS (the departure from Egypt). Moses warned the people that if they would save their firstborn sons from the angel of death, they MUST KILL A LAMB and put IT’S BLOOD upon the sides and top (on the lintel) of their doorposts (Exodus 12:7). It is mentioned in Exodus 12:13-28 “The BLOOD on the DOORPOSTS will be a SIGN to MARK the houses in which you live. When I SEE the BLOOD, I WIL PASOVER you and will not harm you when I punish the Egyptians. You must celebrate this day as a RELIGIUOS FESTIVAL to remind you of what I, YHVH, have done.”

The application of the BLOOD of the LAMB as instructed by God Himself on the sides of the DOORPOSTS and on top on the lintel FORMED a CROSS – please see the picture below this message.

The Israelites were to prepare the LAMB at SUNDOWN and eat the ROASTED MEAT with BITTER HERBS and UNLEAVENED BREAD. Every year following, they had to repeat the PASSOVER MEAL (read Exodus 12:1-13:10).

The PASSOVER MEAL is a clear type of the MESSIAH as our PASSOVER LAMB who’s BLOOD RESCUES us from DEATH. Paul explains it as follows in 1 Corinthians 5:7-8 “Get rid of the old HAMETZ (leaven) , so that you can be a new batch of dough, because in reality you are UNLEAVENED. For our PESACH LAMB, THE MESSIAH, has been sacrificed. So let us CELEBRATE the SEDER (the FESTIVAL) not with leftover HAMETZ (leaven), the HAMETZ (leaven) of WICKEDNESS and EVIL, but with the MATZAH (the unleavened bread) of PURITY and TRUTH”. Like the PASSOVER LAMB, Yeshua is without blemish, pure and sinless as we also read in Exodus 12:5 and 1 Peter 1:18-19) and none of His bones were broken (read Exodus 12:46 and John 19:36).

Leaven is used in the WORD as a PICTURE of sin. Therefore, we have to become UNLEAVENED, dying to SIN with our SINLESS Messiah Yeshua and standing against sin in our lives and following in the FOOTSTEPS of our Messiah who had no sin.

The SACRIFICE of the LAMB, therefore FORESHADOWED the MESSIAH’s ULTIMATE SACRIFICE ON THE CROSS.

The Jewish Study Bible explains: Yeshua is the TRUE Pesach LAMB of GOD the FATHER who, as the MESSIAH provides an atoning sacrifice, causing the wrath of God to “pass over” ALL who place their TRUST IN HIM (read John 1:29, 3:36, Acts 8:32-36 and Isaiah 53:4-5).

And we further read in Luke 2:42 “When he (Yeshua) was twelve years old, they went up for the FESTIVAL, as custom required.”

The Jewish Study Bible explains: This event took place near the age at which JEWISH boys (from the TRIBE of YUDAH and BENJAMEN) today, undergo BAR MITZVAH meaning “son of the commandment”. Jewish boys are taught the Word of God, the TORAH (Genesis to Deuteronomy) from the age of five years old and by the age of thirteen they are considered as ACCOUNTABILE in following God’s ways. The Bar Mitzvah therefore forms part of YHVH’s instruction in Deuteronomy 6:1-7 to teach our children His ways. We read in Deuteronomy chapter five the REMINDER of the TEN COMMANDMENTS and in chapter 6:1-7 we read: Now this is the MITZVAH (the COMMANDMENTS), the LAWS and RULINGS which YHVH your GOD ordered me (Moses) to teach you for YOU TO OBEY in the land you are crossing over to possess, so that you will FEAR YHVH your God and OBSERVE ALL HIS REGULATIONS and MITZVOT (COMMANDMENTS) that I (Moses) are giving you – you, YOUR CHILDREN and YOUR GRANDCHILDREN – as long as you live, and so that you will have LONG LIFE. Therefore, LISTEN ISRAEL (at this stage it was still all TWELVE TRIBES, including Ephraim and Manasseh, Joseph’s two children with his Egyptian wife who would become THE NATIONS according to Genesis 48), and TAKE CARE TO OBEY, so that things will go well with you, and so that you will increase greatly, as YHVH, the God of your ancestors (Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, later renamed ISRAEL by God), POMISED you by GIVING you a LAND flowing with milk and honey. Hear Israel! YHVH our God is ONE, and you are to LOVE YHVH YOUR GOD with ALL YOUR HEART, ALL YOUR BEING (your SOUL – including your thoughts, emotions and your will), and ALL your resources. These WORDS, which I am ordering you today, are to be ON YOUR HEART; and you are to TEACH THEM CAREFULLY TO YOUR CHILDREN. You are to TALK about them WHEN YOU SIT AT HOME, when you are TRAVELLING ON THE ROAD, when you LIE DOEWN and when you GET UP.”

AND WE WILL CONTINUE IN THE MESSAGE BELOW

And we further read in Luke 2:43-45 “But after the FESTIVAL was over, when His parent returned, Yeshua remained in Jerusalem. They didn’t realize this; supposing that He was somewhere in the caravan (the convoy, group, procession), they spent a whole day on the road before they began searching for Him among their relatives and friends. Failing to find Him, they returned to Jerusalem to look for Him.

The Afrikaans Bible in Practice explains: Yeshua was twelve and according to the custom of the time, therefore considered almost an adult. Festival goers often travelled to the festivals in large groups so they would be protected from attacks by robbers. The woman and children usually traveled at the front and the men at the back. A boy of twelve could therefore have been in any group and Mary and Joseph assumed that He was with the other parent. Yeshua however remained in Jerusalem and reasoned with the religious leaders.

So why did YHVH COMMAND only the MEN to GO up to JERUSALEM THREE TIMES a YEAR for the CELEBRATION of the THREE FEAST SEASONS? We clearly see from Luke 2:40 to 45 that the WOMAN and CHILDREN journed with the men to JERUSALEM for the FEAST of PASSOVER. I believe it is because the MAN is regarded as the KING, PRIEST and PROPHET of His family and therefore responsible for ensuring that His family celebrate the FEASTS as commanded by YHVH our God. But what if you are not married yet or widowed. The Bible indicates that a man within the family was then identified to take responsibility of those women and children. But what if in our day, a woman does not have any male family members taking responsibility for her? I believe then God HIMSELF will be with such a woman as He indicates in Isaiah 54:5 and other Scriptures like Hosea 2:16” I am your husband.” And therefore, a single woman with no men in her life keeping the FEASTS, can keep it with Abba Father, Yeshua our Messiah and the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

And we further read in Luke 2:46-47 On the THIRD DAY they FOUND HIM – He was sitting in the Temple court among the Rabbi’s, not only LISTENING to them but also QUESTIONING what they said; and everyone who heard Him was astonished at His INSIGHT and His RESPONSES.

The Afrikaans Bible in Practice explains: The TEMPLE was known across Judea as an EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION. The most famous and learned Rabbi’s in the whole country were at the TEMPLE during the PASSOVER FESTIVAL to TEACH PEOPLE and SPEAK GREAT TRUTHS among themselves. It was therefore understandable that Yeshua would like to listen to them and ask them probing questions. They were not surprised because He was so young, but because He showed SO MUCH INSIGHT. Thereby Luke emphasizes Yeshua’s WISDOM to UNDERSTAND the LAW (the TORAH – Genesis to Deuteronomy, summarized in the TEN COMMANDMENTS) as an EXPRESSION of the WILL OF GOD, THE FATHER. This WISDOM would later, be clearly evident during YESHUA’s TEACHINGS.

And we further read in Luke 2:48 When His parents saw Him, they were shocked; and His mother said to Him: ‘Son! Why have You done this to us? Your father and I have been terribly worried looking for You!”

The Afrikaans Bible in Practice explains: Mary had to let go of her Child so that He could become a MAN: THE SON OF GOD, THE MESSIAH.

And we further read in Luke 2:49 He said to them: ‘Why did you have to look for me? Didn’t you know that I had to be concerning myself with My (capital letter) Father’s affairs?

The Afrikaans Bible in Practice explains: This verse is the HIGHLIGHT of Luke chapter two because here we see the special relationship between Yeshua and His HEAVENLY FATHER. However, we see in verses 50-52 He did not reject His earthly parents. He went back with them to Nazareth where He remained under their authority during the rest of His youth.

We read in Luke 2:50-52 “But they didn’t understand what He meant. So, He went with them to Nazareth and was OBEDIENT to them. But His mother STORED UP ALL THESE THINGS in her heart. And Yeshua grew both in WISDOM and in STATURE, gaining favor both with other people and with God (the Father).”

We can assume that Yeshua was taught the SEVEN FEASTS of YHVH from a very young age, including the LAW of YHVH (the TORAH – Genesis to Deuteronomy) and therefore He was well acquainted about COMMANDMENT 5, honoring your father and your mother so you may live long in the land which YHVH your God is giving you.  And we can clearly see in Luke 2:50 that Yeshua obeyed His earthly parents, Joseph and Mary.

The Afrikaans Bible in Practice explains: We read nothing further about Yeshua’s youth in the Bible. He had grown up and as oldest son, helped Joseph in his profession as carpenter. His daily routine of an ordinary life gave Him deep insight in the daily needs of the Jewish people (the TRIBE OF JUDAH of which He was part).  It is however clear from the beginning that He was the SON of GOD and enjoyed the Father’s favor and also the favor of people.

The Jewish Study Bible explains: Yeshua grew in the WISDOM of TORAH (Genesis to Deuteronomy) and the MITZVOT and is seen in HIS MINISTRY and TEACHINGS.

We therefore see the fulfillment of the prophesy in Isaiah 11:1-2 saying: “…a branch will emerge from the trunk of Jesse (David’s father), a shoot will grow from his roots. The Spirit of YHVH will rest upon Him, the SPIRIT of WISDOM and UNDERSTANDING, the SPIRIT of COUNSEL and POWER, the SPIRIT of KNOWLEDGE and FEARING YHVH.” We also read about this SEVENFOLD SPIRIT of GOD (the HOLY SPIRIT) in Revelation chapter 4:5 as the SEVEN FLAMING TORCHES before the THRONE, resembling the MENORAH (the SEVEN BRANCH LAMPSTAND) BURNING from EVENING to MORNING in the TEMPLE in the HOLY PLACE in FRONT of the HOLIEST of HOLIES where the ARK of the COVENANT, the THRONE of GOD was. Also read Revelation 1:4, Ezekiel chapter 1 and Zechariah 4:2-6.