Luke 2:46-47, 49 (NKJV) Now so it was that after three days they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both listening to them and asking them questions.And all who heard Him were astonished at His understanding and answers…, And He said to them, “Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business?”
1 Corinthians 8:1-3 (NKJV) Now concerning things offered to idols: We know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love edifies. And if anyone thinks that he knows anything, he knows nothing yet as he ought to know. But if anyone loves God, this one is known by Him.
Knowledge can make us arrogant. It fosters pride and an attitude of superiority. While Jesus is superior because He is God, He demonstrated what humility truly looks like.
The notable feature of these two passages is the difference in attitude. Jesus knew the Torah thoroughly, yet He was humble in His attitude toward the teachers by listening to them and asking questions. Jesus didn’t have an attitude of “I know it all” or “I am here to give you a lecture”, though He had every right to. In contrast, in the Corinthian church, there were differences in teaching and opinions because they believed they knew everything. One side believed it was permissible to eat food offered to idols, and it wouldn’t affect their relationship with God, but they failed to realise it might stumble new believers. Doesn’t that sound familiar? Many churches split because of theological differences. Each person arrives armed with their theological thesis to refute the other person’s position. Sometimes, we have an attitude of “I am here to check you out”, especially concerning preachers and teachers of the Word or those with some form of training in the Word. In fact, many preachers and teachers say that as they grow older, they become humbler because they realise they don’t know everything.
Likewise, we should maintain a humble attitude toward people in the marketplace, regardless of our expertise. Power, position, and authority make us proud. Pride can be a big stumbling block to Christians and non-Christians alike, affecting how we carry ourselves, talk, and treat others.
Ultimately, it is not how much we know, though knowledge is essential, but how much we live out the truth in our lives. Love edifies, meaning it will spur the other person to delve deeper into the Word of God, even though they might hold a very different perspective. Love will also ensure that the practice of the truth in my life will not cause a weaker brother or sister to stumble. Love builds others up.
Jesus is God, omniscient and omnipotent even as a man. Yet He chose to sit among the teachers, listen to them, and ask questions, just like any 12-year-old Jewish boy, demonstrating humility. Jesus did not demand respect because He is the Son of God. Instead, His humility earned the teachers’ respect because they were impressed with His understanding and answers.
Sermon Series: Christmas 2025
知识与谦卑
路加福音2:46–47，49 过了三天，就遇见他在殿里，坐在教师中间，一面听一面问。凡听见他的，都稀奇他的聪明和他的应对。耶稣说：“为什么找我呢？岂不知我应当以我父的事为念吗？”
哥林多前书8:1–3 论到祭偶像之物，我们晓得“我们都有知识”。但知识是叫人自高自大，唯有爱心能造就人。若有人以为自己知道什么，按他所当知道的，他仍是不知道。若有人爱神，这人乃是神所知道的。
知识若没有爱，就容易使人骄傲，滋生优越感与自满的态度。耶稣之所以超越一切，是因为祂是神；然而，祂却向我们显明了真正的谦卑是什么样子。
这两段经文最突出的对比，在于态度的不同。耶稣对律法书（Torah）了如指掌，却仍以谦卑的态度坐在教师中间，聆听他们并向他们提问。尽管祂完全有资格教导众人，耶稣却没有“我全都知道”或“我来给你们上课”的姿态。相反，在哥林多教会中，人们因自认为拥有完全的知识，而在教义与观点上产生纷争。一方认为吃祭过偶像的食物并不会影响与神的关系，却忽略了这可能会使初信者跌倒。这样的情形是否似曾相识？许多教会的分裂，正是源于神学立场的差异。人们带着自己的神学论点而来，只为反驳对方的观点。有时，我们也会带着“我来检验你”的心态，尤其是面对传道人、教师，或受过神学训练的人。然而，许多传道人和教师都分享，随着年岁增长，他们反而更加谦卑，因为他们意识到自己并非无所不知。
同样地，在职场和社会中，无论我们多么专业或有经验，都应当保持谦卑的态度。权力、地位与权柄容易使人骄傲，而骄傲往往成为基督徒与非基督徒共同的绊脚石，影响我们为人处事、说话方式以及待人的态度。
归根结底，关键不在于我们知道多少——虽然知识确实重要——而在于我们在生活中活出了多少真理。爱心能造就人，意味着它能激励他人更深地进入神的话语中，即使彼此持有不同的观点。爱也确保我所实践的真理，不会使软弱的弟兄姊妹跌倒。爱，是建立人的力量。
耶稣是神，祂在成为人时仍是全知全能的；然而，祂却选择像一个普通的十二岁犹太男孩一样，坐在教师中间，倾听并提问，向我们展现了真正的谦卑。耶稣并没有因为自己是神的儿子而要求人尊敬，反倒是祂的谦卑赢得了教师们的尊重，因为他们惊叹于祂的聪明和应对。
讲章系列：2025 圣诞节