Jesus Obeys | The Wolfe Notes

These notes follow our 7-step rhythm for Bible study. Unless otherwise noted, all Bible quotes are from the English Standard Version (ESV) translation.

Jesus Obeys

(From Luke 2:51-52)

Budding Leaf by pasja1000 at Pixabay

1. Summary

Jesus returned to Nazareth and lived in obedience to His parents. Jesus grew in wisdom, strength, and favor from both God and others. Mary continued to ponder and treasure her Son's life.

2. N/W/L Statements

1. I NOTICED that:
1. Joseph isn't mentioned.
2. Jesus was obedient.
3. A few phrases are repeated, emphasizing that Jesus grew up well and that Mary thoughtfully cherished His childhood moments.
2. I WONDER What kinds of things Jesus did to fill His days. Carpentry? Scripture study? Spending time with friends and family?
3. I think God wants us to LEARN to focus on the moment you are currently in and perform your best in it. Because even though life often feels slow and repetitive, growth happens best when we faithfully and consistently train in righteousness.

3. Key Verse

And Jesus kept on growing - in wisdom, in physical stature, in favor with God, and in favor with others. Luke 2:52 (VOICE)

At first read, this verse seems underwhelming and predictable. But when I think of it applied to my life, I only hope this would be true of me. Do I keep growing in wisdom? In favor with God? In favor with others? Are these my aims? 

4. God's Character

1. God does not show favoritism. (No exceptions were made for His Son. Jesus grew up just like the rest of us, perhaps in even worse circumstances than most of us.)
1. And [Mary] gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn [or guest room]. Luke 2:7
2. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Philippians 2:5-8
3. John would have prevented him saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” But Jesus answered him, “Let it be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he consented. Matthew 3:14-15​
2. God expects obedience. (Obedience makes the very short list of Jesus' childhood descriptors.)
1. Now therefore, if you will indeed obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession among all peoples, for all the earth is mine. Exodus 19:5
2. Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord. Colossians 3:20
3. In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to him who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence. Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered. And being made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him, Hebrews 5:7-9
3. God is worth pondering and treasuring. (A phrase that becomes synonymous with Mary's observance of Jesus is that she "pondered and treasured these things in her heart," as should we.) 
1. Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. Psalm 1:1-2
2. I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. Psalm 119:11
3. Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matthew 6:19-21
   
   

5. Pray

Father God, thank You for sending Your Son to experience human life. Now we know that with You we too can endure, obey, and grow. When I get frustrated by the slow repetition of training that seems to be leading to a brick wall, remind me that growth takes time. Encourage me to keep training faithfully in righteousness no matter what.

6. Act

View every aspect of life as faithful training in righteousness. ASK: "What would righteousness look like in this circumstance?" Then, do it!

7. Annotation Notes

? Denotes a question, * a personal thought, x a cross reference, ! a connection, and italics a referenced source.

1. *Mary must have loved watching Jesus grow. (Luke 2:51)

Sample these related posts:

• To revisit another time Mary "ponders and treasures" the events around her.
• To see life as training.
• For encouragement to keep going, even in the mundane, everyday details.
• To see the value of wisdom.
• To read more about God's favor.

Interested in more faith-related blogs? Then you're looking for Faith Food. At Faith Food, you'll find links to all our faith-related blogs and a short description of each.