EARLY WARNINGS
Early in the childhood of John and Jesus there were angelic and prophetic announcements of their future roles. Zacharias the father of John was used in these prophesies too.
Luke 2
1 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed. 2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) 3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. 4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) 5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
It came to pass that a decree from Caesar Augustus went out for the world to be taxed. Everyone went to his own city to be taxed. Joseph left Nazareth and went to Bethlehem with Mary his expectant wife because he was of the lineage of David.
6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. 7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. 8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
While they were there, the time arrived for her to deliver the baby. She brought forth her son, wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger because there was no room for them in the inn. There were shepherds nearby watching their flock by night. Then the angel of the Lord came on them, the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were afraid.
10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. 12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, 14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. 15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.
The angel said to them, Fear not because I bring you good news of joy which is for all people. In the city of David a savior who is Christ the Lord is born for you. This will be a sign; you will find the baby wrapped in swaddling clothes lying in a manger. Suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host praising God with the angel. They were saying, glory to God in the highest, peace and good will toward men on earth. As the angels went away to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, let’s go to Bethlehem, and see what the Lord has made known unto us.
16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. 17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. 18 And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. 19 But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. 20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.
They went quickly and found Mary and Joseph and the baby lying in a manger. When they saw it, they reported to others what they were told about this child. All those who heard it wondered about the things which the shepherds told them. But Mary remembered all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen as it was told unto them.
21 And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called Jesus, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb. 22 And when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord; 23 (As it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord;) 24 And to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.
When eight days passed for circumcising of the child his name was called Jesus, as the angel named him before he was conceived. When the days of her purification were accomplished according to the law, they brought him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord. As the law of the Lord says, every male that opens the womb shall be holy to the Lord. They also offered a sacrifice according to the law of the Lord, A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.
25 And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him. 26 And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. 27 And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law, 28 Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said, 29 Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word: 30 For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, 31 Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; 32 A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.
There was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon, and he was just and devout, awaiting the hope of Israel and the Holy Ghost was on him. It was revealed to him by the Holy Ghost that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. He was led by the Spirit to the temple. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to follow the law he took him up in his arms. He blessed God and said, Lord now you may let your servant depart in peace, as your promise to me. My eyes have seen your salvation which you prepared before the face of all people. He is to lighten the Gentiles and the glory of your people Israel.
33 And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of him. 34 And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against; 35 (Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.
Joseph and Mary marveled at the things said of him. Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary, this child is sent for the fall and rising of many in Israel and for a sign which will be spoken against; Yes, a sword will pierce your heart even as the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed.
36 And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity; 37 And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day. 38 And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem. 39 And when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city Nazareth.
There was Anna, a prophetess, daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser. She was very old and had lived with her husband until he died. She was a widow of eighty-four years, who stayed in the temple serving God with fasting and prayers night and day. When she came in she gave thanks to the Lord and spoke of him to all seeking redemption in Jerusalem. When the parents did all according to the law of the Lord they returned to their own city Nazareth in Galilee.
40 And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace 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 to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast. 43 And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it. 44 But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day’s journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance. 45 And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him.
The child grew, waxed strong in spirit, and filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was on him. His parents went to Jerusalem every year for the feast of the Passover. When he was twelve years old, they went to Jerusalem for feast. When they had fulfilled the days, they returned, but Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem without their knowledge. Thinking he was with them; they went a day’s journey and sought him among their friends and family. When they couldn’t find him they returned to Jerusalem seeking him.
46 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. 47 And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers. 48 And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing. 49 And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father’s business? 50 And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them. 51 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. 52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.
After three days they found him in the temple, sitting with the doctors, listening to them, and asking them questions. All who heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers. When they saw him they were amazed and his mother said unto him, Son, why have you dealt with us this way? Your father and I have sought you grieving. He answered them, why did you seek me? Didn’t you know that I must be about my father’s business? But they didn’t understand what he said unto them. He went down with them, came to Nazareth, and was subject to them, but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart. Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.
NOT UNNOTICED
Jesus came into this world in lowly ways, but not without heavenly heralds. He was even more noticeable when his disappearance went unnoticed. As a boy he was impressive for knowledge that will only grow over time. He knew what he was going to have to do.
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