The Lessons Continue

Scripture – Luke 2:45-50: 45When they did not find him, they went back to Jerusalem to look for him. 46After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. 47Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers. 48When his parents saw him, they were astonished. His mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you.” 49“Why were you searching for me?” he asked. “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?” 50But they did not understand what he was saying to them.

Reflection: One thing kids often miss is how much their parents love them. Along with that, we worry about our kids. I have no doubt Joseph and Mary were scared. For three days they were looking for Jesus. Once they found Him they would have been relieved. Then their fear turned into anger. I have certainly been there!

For most of my life I’ve always focused on Jesus in this story – on what a wise young man He was. Yet being a parent leads me to a different perspective. This was a twelve year old boy who willfully decided to stay in Jerusalem when His parents were leaving. Joseph and Mary did not understand His comment about being in His “Father’s house.” What they did understand is obeying and honoring parents was – and is – a lesson that’s very important.

As they continued raising this boy, knowing who He was, they still had to exercise discipline from time to time. And so they did here. I wonder what the conversation was like as they left Jerusalem that day.

An Invitation: A small group will be meeting this coming Sunday morning from 9:45 – 10:30am to share what we’ve learned and seen in this week’s readings. We meet in the Pastor’s office at Bethel Baptist Church, 13330 Trenton Road in Southgate. Everyone’s welcome to join us.