Saturday, December 16, 2017

THE CHILDHOOD OF JESUS: FROM BETHLEHEM TO EGYPT TO NAZARETH

ISRAEL'S MESSIAH:  FROM CONCEPTION TO TWELVE YEARS OLD

Matthew 1:18-25 - "Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise:  When as His mother Mary was (engaged) to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.  Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away (privately).  But while he thought on these things, behold, The Angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, son of David, fear not to take unto yourself  Mary (as) your wife:  for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.  And she shall bring forth a son, and you shalt call His name JESUS:  for He shall save His people from their sins.  Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call His name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.  Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as The Angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto himself his wife:  and (he) knew her not until she had brought forth her firstborn son:  and he called His name JESUS."

Matthew 2:1-23 - "Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, Saying, Where is He that is born King of the Jews?  For we have seen His star in the east, and are come to worship Him.  When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.  And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born.  And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea:  for thus it is written by the prophet, And you Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are not the least among the princes of Judah:  for out of you shall come a Governor, Who shall rule My people Israel.  Then Herod, when he had (privately) called the wise men, inquired of them diligently what time the star appeared.  And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found Him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship Him also.  When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was.  When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.  And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary His mother, and fell down, and worshipped Him:  and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto Him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.  And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.  And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and His mother, and flee into Egypt, and (stay) there until I bring you word:  for Herod will seek the young child to destroy Him.  When he arose, he took the young child and His mother by night, and departed into Egypt:  and was there until the death of Herod:  that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called My Son.  Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was (filled with wrath), and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently inquired of the wise men.  Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet, saying, In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not.  But when Herod was dead, behold, an Angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, saying, Arise, and take the young child and His mother, and go into the land of Israel:  for they are dead who sought the young child's life.  And he arose, and took the young child and his mother, and came into the land of Israel.  But when he heard that Archelaus did reign in Judaea in the (place) of his father Herod, he was afraid to go (there):  notwithstanding, being warned of God in a dream, he turned aside into the parts of Galilee:  and he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene."

Luke 2:41-51 - "Now His parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover.  And when He was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast.  And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and His mother (did not know it).  But they, supposing Him to have been in the company, went a day's journey; and they sought Him among their kinsfolk and acquaintances.  And when they (did not find Him), they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking Him.  And it came to pass, that after three days they found Him in the Temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions.  And all that heard Him were astonished at His understanding and answers.  And when they saw Him, they were amazed:  and His mother said unto Him, Son, why (have you treated us this way)?  Behold, Your 'father' and I have sought you sorrowing.  And He said unto them, How is it that you sought Me?  (Did you not know) that I must be about My Father's business?  And they (did not understand what He was saying) unto them.  And He went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them:  but His mother kept all these sayings in her heart."

Note:  A Jewish male was considered a child until he was thirteen.  Jesus began His ministry at "about the age of thirty" (Luke 3:23).  We have no record of His life between twelve and thirty.

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