What Child Is This? Luke 2:41-52

January 1st, 2025

We all have questions about who Jesus is. The good news is that we don’t have to wonder. We can answer the question of Jesus’s identity on the basis of what Jesus says about himself. In Luke 2:41-52, twelve-year-old Jesus tells us that he is the Son of God.

Luke is the only one of the gospel writers who gives us a glimpse into the childhood of Jesus. In his orderly, historical account, Luke wants to provide certainty about the things we’ve learned about Jesus. And in Luke 2:41-52, he provides certainty by allowing us to hear directly from Jesus as to who he is. In fact, Jesus teaches us three important lessons that we too need to learn and grow in.

Jesus teaches us WHO he is. Jesus is the human son of Mary and Joseph (vv.41-48) and the divine Son of God (v.49). So, we join all Christians throughout history in confessing that Jesus is one person with two natures: truly human and truly divine, fully man and fully God.

Because Jesus is truly human, he can identify with us. He was tempted in every way, as we are, but he did not sin. He knew what it was to be hungry, thirsty, poor. He knew what it was to be disappointed and betrayed. He knew what it is like to lose someone you love. We have a sympathetic Savior.

Jesus teaches us HOW to KNOW the Father. In his human nature, Jesus grew in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and man (vv.40, 52). One reason it was necessary for Jesus to be in his Father’s house – the Temple – is because that is where God’s people learned about the Father.

Jesus’s desire was to know the Father in order to please him. So, Jesus also teaches us how to know the Father in order to please him. We know the Father in the same way Jesus did – by studying the Scriptures and asking questions. This is what God’s people did in the Temple. The teachers of the Law would read portions of Scripture, teach on them, and the people would ask questions.

We too grow in knowing God in the same way. Of course, mom and dad should be doing this at home (Deuteronomy 6). But we must also learn in community. Under the new covenant, there is no longer a physical temple in a central location. WE, the church are the Temple of God, both individually and corporately. Under the new covenant, we no longer have an annual feast calendar. We have a weekly Lord’s Day calendar. The church is where God has designed for his people to grow in knowing him. Read Ephesians 4:11-16. That is why we prioritize the ministry of the Word when we gather.

We are also the church when we are scattered. So, we continue to learn in community beyond the Sunday gathering: Life Classes, Life Groups, Bible studies, men’s D-groups, one to one. This is what we call discipleship.

Where are you asking your questions about Jesus? To whom are you asking your questions? Let the local church with pastors and members who know and love you be the place where you ask your questions and find answers.

As we enter a new year, will you resolve to grow in learning about God with High Pointe? Will you commit to not forsaking assembling with us? Will you commit to joining us on Sunday mornings for Life Classes? Will you commit to joining a Life Group? Will you commit to gathering with other members to study the Scriptures and ask questions? Remember, though, the Christian life is not just about answers and storing up knowledge.

Jesus teaches us HOW to OBEY the Father. While Jesus teaches us how to obey our earthly parents (and all earthly authorities, by extension), he also teaches us how to obey our heavenly Father. Crucially, Jesus teaches us that when our commitment to earthly authorities conflicts with our commitment to our heavenly Father, we must obey God rather than man.

Had Jesus obeyed his earthly parents and disobeyed his heavenly Father, our salvation would not have come about. Jesus had to obey the Father. Perfectly. At every point. He had to obey the Father before his earthly parents. Before Satan. Before Peter. Before the Pharisees. And Jesus obeyed the Father perfectly all the way to the cross.

It’s the same for us. We must honor and submit to all God-ordained authorities in our lives. They have been placed there by God. But when those authorities conflict with the will of the Father, we must obey God, not man. Before parents. Before employers. Before government. Before spouse. Before friends. Even before pastors.

We need to grow in wisdom in all three lessons. But, which of these lessons do you need to learn and grow in the most in 2025? Remember, not only does Jesus teach us these important lessons. He also provides everything we need to obey (2 Peter 1:3-4).

Resources of the Week

Personal Disciplines and Devotions in 2025
- Bible Reading Plans for 2025 | Ligonier
- Devotionals I Recommend for a New Year | Tim Challies
- Now Is the Time to Consider a New Year’s Resolution | Tim Challies
- Skip Resolutions—Make a Rule of Life | Jeremy Linneman

Missions: Prayer Will Win the Nations: Three Ways to Pray for Missionaries

Song of the Month:  May the Mind of Christ, My Savior

Opportunities to Serve and Grow at High Pointe
(For Opportunities to Serve at High Pointe, click HERE)

Meaningful Membership Class | Sunday, January 12 | 1:15 PM to 4:30 PM
If you’re interested in learning more about High Pointe or pursuing membership with High Pointe, please mark your calendars Membership Class. This class will cover three main questions: What is the church and why should I join, what does High Pointe believe, and what do we expect of church members at High Pointe. Click here to register.

DiscipleNow Youth Conference | January 17-19
Save the date for the DNOW Youth Conference happening at High Pointe from January 17 to January 19. The theme this year is discipleship, and it will be a fun time of teaching, games, and fellowship. For more information and to register click here.

Life Classes | Life Classes will resume on Sunday, January 26, at 9:00 AM

Sunday AM Preaching Schedule: Pray regularly for the ministry of the Word at High Pointe. Also, prepare for our gatherings by reading the sermon text, thinking it through, and asking questions about the text before Sunday. Here is our (tentative) preaching schedule designed to help you prepare for Sundays:

January 5 | 1 Thessalonians 2:17-3:13 | A Long-Distance Relationship | Pastor Robert
January 12 | 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8 | The Good Life is a Holy Life | Pastor Robert
January 19 | Luke 3:1-20 | What Does Repentance Look Like? | Pastor Juan
January 26 | Luke 3:21-4:13 | Lead Us Not into Temptation | Pastor Juan

Begin praying as you prepare to gather with us this Sunday at 10:00 am.

Gospel Partner of the Month: Jonathan and Elizabeth Painter
Jonathan and Elizabeth are preparing to go wherever the Lord may send them. Due to security concerns, we will not share a lot of public information. So, we encourage you to get to know them that you may pray for them. Also, they are in the final stages of raising support. So, if the Lord leads you to give to them above and beyond your regular giving, they will be encouraged.

On-Call Pastor
To better care for you, High Pointe, we have an “on-call” pastor available for emergencies after office hours and on weekends. To reach the on-call pastor, call 512-837-7725, extension 1.