First Sunday After Christmas Year C 2009

The following sermon was written by Philippi Elder Fred Dant in preparation to preach on December 27 of last year. Unfortunately, Fred had to have surgery near that date and was unable to share the sermon on the day appointed. We are glad to post it here so as not to waste the many hours Fred put into preparing it.



GOSPEL of LUKE 2:41-52
First Sunday after Christmas
Late Service
December 27th, 2009


We just read a wonderful story from the Gospel of Luke about the childhood of Jesus Christ, when he was just twelve years old, but you know we don’t hear from Him for another twenty years.

We also heard the story of Samuel, a Prophet and Priest that ushered in the first Kings of Israel and about things he and Jesus may have had in common. Samuel both served in the Temple, making sacrifices and keeping festivals and such, and also spoke oracles in the name of the Lord.

Both of these stories teach and educate, just like when Jesus would later on have to explain to his Disciples why he used parables. We still receive the benefits of these stories from the Bible.

God’s plan is to save the world through Israel, that is, through his holy nation. We, the church are that ongoing holy nation (with Israel), the temple in which Christ dwells with his Father, through the Holy Spirit.

Jesus was a prophet, priest, and now a king. He spoke in God’s voice, offered himself as a sacrifice, and because he did so in perfect obedience to the covenant with God, was raised into his kingship.

The first time we hear the words of Jesus in the scriptures was when He answered His mother in the Temple.

You should think about trying to master the story of Israel in order to know Jesus. Both Jesus and Samuel undergo a great deal of training and education to prepare them for their ministries. Colossians tells us to,

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; teach and admonish
one another in
all wisdom; and with gratitude in your hearts sing psalms,
hymns, and spiritual
songs to God.

We have many chances at Philippi for you to participate in the learning experiences.

Jesus, son of Mary and Joseph accompanied his parents to Jerusalem at the time of Passover. A special time of giving thanks to God for allowing their ancestors to flee from bondage in Egypt. These two young boys, Samuel and Jesus, both seen as gifts from god, were indeed about ready to transform the world in their day and ours. Jesus in the Synagogue and Samuel in Shiloh with the Priest Eli. Today’s two lessons say two important things. The signs of activity are prevalent in children that can be given opportunities to grow, question, and flourish in ways that will be benefit them and us for a lifetime. And at least Hannah knew where her son was. It seems that Joseph and Mary lost their son, at least for a span of three days.

Samuel lived in the temple as a child because his mother, Hannah, who was barren, promised God that if He allowed her to have a male child she would set him before God as a nazirite until the day of his death. He shall drink neither wine nor intoxicants, and no razor shall touch his head.

Now here’s a little something to think about. Sampson was also a nazirite, and if you remember the story of Sampson and Delilah, things didn’t go well for him because his hair was cut.

After he was born and as soon as he was weaned, Hannah took the baby Samuel to the Temple and gave him to Eli.

He was in his father’s house with a collection of learned scholars when he spoke these words. Although, directed to his anguished mothers’ outburst, everyone heard the words. What do you think their reaction was?

The story brings about a parents reaction to a fearful situation, and about how a child reacts to the parents when confronted and questioned about his absence.

It is also about the amazement of the listeners to this child when he spoke of the Scriptures.

So we just heard a similar story in the Gospel of Luke. Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem every year for the Feast of Passover, like any good Jew would. When Jesus reached the age of twelve, he also went as was the custom when be became a “son of the commandment”, which translates to something you probably are more familiar with, “bar mitzvah.” All his life he had been brought up according to the Laws of Moses. He was a member of the synagogue and was accountable for obeying the Law of Moses, which he had been raised by.

At the end of the celebration people began to start heading home, probably in small groups to enjoy the companionship of each other. When evening came, and they set up camp for the night, Mary and Joseph then realized Jesus was not with them.

They checked with other groups that were traveling near them but to no avail. Jesus was not there. I doubt if Mary and Joseph got much sleep that night.

In the morning they began the return trip to Jerusalem, to search for their son. On the third day they found him in the temple, seated with members of the Jewish Sanhedrin. This was a group of 70 leaders who served as the high council and Supreme Court in Hebrew law.

It makes perfect sense that a twelve year old Jewish Orthodox boy be listening to the wise rabbis and what they were saying and discussing since he was studying the Torah with great diligence and learning the application of the Scriptures in the life of Judaism.

He was listening to these teachers and asking them questions. What was happening in the temple was how Jewish leaders trained young rabbis. They not only listened, but were encouraged to raise questions. Because of his contributions to their theological discussions and the perceptive questions he asked, they were amazed at his understanding and insights. So young, yet so knowledgeable of the bible and the laws of Moses. His parents raised him well in the Jewish traditions.

Enter MOM!! Mary’s frustration erupted as she announced to Jesus that she and Joseph had been frantically searching for him for three days.

Jesus was surprised. He thought it was obvious that if he wasn’t with Mary and Joseph, they would know he was about his, “Fathers Business’. (Luke 2:49)

Now I just love the way it is written in the King James Version. How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Fathers business?

Now we don’t really know where Luke got this story from, but it doesn’t really matter. Also, this is the first statement in the Bible attributed to Jesus.

So, here we are wandering around in a big city. It might be easy to lose sight of Jesus. Sometimes WE face very busy weeks and it seems that indeed he is lost to us.

But just go to the worship service on Sunday, in the Lords house, the place of the word and sacrament and there he is. He wasn’t lost at all; it was us wandering in our wildernesses who were the lost ones.

He was there all the time in His father’s house going about his fathers business all along. The new temple is built of living stones, the church, and the people of God.

You find Jesus ‘in’ that temple, His Fathers house. His parents didn’t understand, of course. What parent does understand a twelve year old?

Luke is the only gospel to provide this story of Jesus’ youth.

Jesus grew up within his community learning that the Jewish faith and heritage was important to his family and this faith and traditions formed the foundation that Jesus drew upon in his ministry and teachings.

We seek wisdom in many different places, rather than just listening to the wisdom of God revealed to us in Jesus. Continue to seek him in his house, listening to the words of his son. The answers are in the words of the love and compassion of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Amen.