Luke 2:40-52
The 2nd Sunday of Christmas | 05-01-2025 | A Sermon on Luke 2:40-52 | text by the Rev. Dr. Judson F Merrell, STS |
40 And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom. And the favor of God was upon him.
41 Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover.
42 And when he was twelve years old, they went up according to custom.
43 And when the feast was ended, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents did not know it,
44 but supposing him to be in the group they went a day’s journey, but then they began to search for him among their relatives and acquaintances,
45 and when they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem, searching for him.
46 After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions.
47 And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers.
48 And when his parents saw him, they were astonished. And his mother said to him, „Son, why have you treated us so? Behold, your father and I have been searching for you in great distress.“
49 And he said to them, „Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?“
50 And they did not understand the saying that he spoke to them.
51 And he went down with them and came to Nazareth and was submissive to them. And his mother treasured up all these things in her heart.
52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man. (Luke 2:40-52 ESV) English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles
Brothers and sisters in Christ, grace and peace to you from God the Father and our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.
I would like to take a moment and have you think about something…where do you look for wisdom? Now please don’t think about it for too long, as I would like for you to hear my sermon also. So, where do you look for wisdom? Do you look to friends, co-workers, your boss, your spouse, family? Where? Maybe you eat lots of Chinese food and rely on the fortune cookies. Maybe you pick up a newspaper and check out your horoscope? I used to read my horoscope daily, I even had a place on my homepage on my computer that showed my horoscope. It wasn’t something I believed, but it was fun seeing whether or not it actually predicted what was going to happen that day. On top of what I have already listed, we rely on things such as the internet, television, movies, advertising, email, and the list goes on and on. But before we had all of that, people relied on books, philosophers, poets, physics, superstitions, and things of nature. I can remember as a little boy my mom writing down the weather of the first twelve days of January, because it supposedly predicted the weather for each of the following months. Jan. 1 represented January, the 2nd Feb. the 3rd March, etc. That was something she had learned from her parents. It was a part of their wisdom that they shared with her, and that she shared with me. All of this is good, but when we really need Wisdom, where should we turn? Should we turn to media, or our parents, or our friends? We live in the information age in which knowledge is power. The problem is that we are inundated with so much information it is hard to know what to do with it all. Wisdom is more than information or even knowledge; it is the ability to use information and knowledge to make the right decisions and live more fully in God’s kingdom. We have two examples of Wisdom presented to us in the readings that we have just heard.
In our first lesson, we find God offering King Solomon anything he wishes, and Solomon asks for wisdom. To be able to discern what is right from what is wrong. This request pleases God and we know that King Solomon used that gift to make the nation of Israel wealthy and powerful in the region. He built up the nation of God’s people, he built for God a grand temple, and God’s name was glorified throughout the region.
Then in our Gospel reading we hear about Jesus being in the temple, asking questions and understanding what he was learning. Luke tells us that Jesus is young, 12 years old, and was expressing wisdom that amazed the teachers and all those that heard him. God was the source of this wisdom in his Son Jesus. Just as they have God’s wisdom with them, we too have God’s wisdom. God freely gives of this wisdom as well, but often the world turns away from God rather than to God. Just imagine what this world would be like if everyone turned to God in search for answers to everyday questions. What if instead of “googleing” a question, we simply ask God for wisdom. This doesn’t happen though, because the wisdom that God gives us is not something that we can find through a google search, nor in a newspaper, nor the television. God gives us a wisdom called truth. That truth is that we are a part of God’s chosen people. That truth is that we have a Savior who was born for us, lived for us, and died for us. That truth is that we are to follow in his footsteps, recognizing that God became human for us. That truth is that we turn to God as the source of all wisdom and follow his teachings all the time. But sometimes that is often easier said than done. Sometimes it is hard to be a Christian; it is hard to be a part of God’s chosen people. However, God has given us help in this task.
In his infinite wisdom, God has not abandoned us but given us his Spirit. In the waters of baptism, we are sealed by the Spirit and are marked as a child of God forever. As a loving people of God, we follow in Christ’s footsteps by doing everything to the Glory of God. As Christians who are still celebrating the Christmas birth, we can spread this wisdom and truth to those who have not heard it. We can spread love, compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience as well. And when it is hard for us to do that, and there will be times when it is, we can again turn to God for wisdom, asking Him for help and guidance. For only God provides the true wisdom through his Son Jesus Christ.
There is a common phrase that I have heard for about the last month and a half, which is “Jesus is the reason for season.” I agree with that statement, because Jesus is the reason for the Christmas season, but he is also the reason for all the other seasons as well. As we continue through and out of this Christmas season, let us remember that everything we do, we do to the glory of God, giving thanks for the wisdom and grace that God has first given us. In the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
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©The Rev. Dr. Judson F Merrell, STS
Judsonmerrell@bellsouth.net
St. Peter’s Lutheran Church
Lexington, SC, USA