(Christian Living Sermon) Hillside 9/95
Filename: JESUS SUBMITS

"HE WAS SUBJECT TO THEM"

TEXT-- Ephesians 6:1-3 "Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. 2 Honor thy father and mother (which is the first commandment with promise), 3 that it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth."

INTRODUCTION--

1. At the age of twelve, Jesus went with His family to the Passover. Luke 2:41-42
   

   "And his parents went every year to Jerusalem at the feast of the passover. 42 And when he was twelve years old, they went up after the custom of the feast."

2. When he stayed behind, and his parents searched anxiously for Him, His excuse was not rebellious, but seemed too independent for a child of that young age. Luke 2:43-50 "and when they had fulfilled the days, as they were returning, the boy Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and his parents knew it not; 44 but supposing him to be in the company, they went a day's journey; and they sought for him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance: 45 and when they found him not, they returned to Jerusalem, seeking for him. 46 And it came to pass, after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both hearing them, and asking them questions: 47 and all that heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. 48 And when they saw him, they were astonished; and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I sought thee sorrowing. 49 And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? knew ye not that I must be in my Father's house? 50 And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them.
   
   
   1. His first statement was "Why did you seek me?"
      
   2. He expected them to "understand" that he had "business" to fulfil in His "Father's house."
      
3. His parents, discerning the situation from a more human viewpoint, took him home with them.
   
   1. He was "subject to them," but....
      
   2. Mary "kept all these things in her heart."

LESSON--

1. The youthful life of Jesus was pleasing to God.
   
   1. He "grew and became strong in spirit, filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon Him." Luke 2:40
      
   2. After the incident in Jerusalem, and His submissive return to Nazareth with His parents, He "increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men." Luke 2:52
      
      1. The word "grace" of Luke 2:40, and the word "favor" of Luke 2:52, are from the same Greek word, caris (CHARIS), and we often define this word as "unmerited favor," but in the case of Jesus it was merited.
         
      2. It is only when "grace" is given to the sinner that it is "unmerited."
         
2. Why did Jesus, the Savior, the Son of God, being so full of wisdom and favor, submit to His earthly parents?
   
   1. Because it is the "right" thing for a child to do. Ephesians 6:1 (see above)
      
   2. The same principle applied when Jesus was baptized.
      
      1. Jesus presented Himself to be baptized by John the Baptist.
         
      2. When John objected, insisting it was more proper that he himself be baptized by Jesus, He answered, "Suffer it now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness." Matthew 3:14-15
         
   3. Jesus final act of obedience was to go to the cross. Hebrews 5:8-9 "though he was a Son, yet learned obedience by the things which he suffered; 9 and having been made perfect, he became unto all them that obey him the author of eternal salvation;"

APPLICATION--

1. It is "right" for young people to seek divine wisdom early in life. Ecclesiastes 4:13 "Better is a poor and wise youth than an old and foolish king, who knoweth not how to receive admonition any more." 12:1 "Remember also thy Creator in the days of thy youth, before the evil days come, and the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them;" 2 Timothy 3:14-15 "But abide thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them. 15 And that from a babe thou hast known the sacred writings which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus."
   
2. It is "fitting" for young people to imitate the submissiveness of Jesus, and to "fulfill all righteousness." 1 Timothy 4:12 "Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an ensample to them that believe, in word, in manner of life, in love, in faith, in purity." 2 Timothy 2:22 "Flee youthful lusts, but follow after righteousness, faith, love, pace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart."