The Boy Jesus in the Temple

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 according to custom. ⁴³ And when the feast was ended, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents did not know it, ⁴⁴ but supposing him to be in the group they went a day’s journey, but then they began to search for him among their relatives and acquaintances, ⁴⁵ and when they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem, searching for him. ⁴⁶ After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. ⁴⁷ And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. ⁴⁸ And when his parents saw him, they were astonished. And his mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us so? Behold, your father and I have been searching for you in great distress.” ⁴⁹ And he said to them, “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” ⁵⁰ And they did not understand the saying that he spoke to them. ⁵¹ And he went down with them and came to Nazareth and was submissive to them. And his mother treasured up all these things in her heart.⁵² And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man.

Luke 2:41-52

In these scriptures, when they are read, the focus often falls on the boy Jesus: sitting and teaching in the temple, amazing all who heard Him. We see the process of His life, laid out plainly, that He increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man. But if you back up and take in the whole story we also find two parents are desperately searching for their lost son. In verse 48 it says, “And when his parents saw him, they were astonished. And his mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us so? Behold, your father and I have been searching for you in great distress.”

What’s interesting to notice about this statement is the expression of how they felt. These parents often walked through distressing times. Mary was virgin, who was vistited by an angel, that told her she would become pregnant by an overshadowing of the Holy Spirit. Joseph was a young man looking to begin his life when he found out the girl he was in love with was pregnant. Mary had this baby in an animal stall. They left on a journey to Egypt in the middle of the night when Harod sought to kill the child because of the prophecies about the child. And then this. We dont hear anything about Joseph after this but Mary would go one to see her Son be crucified.

Perhaps what we miss about these events is just how great a faith they had and how they trusted God through all that He had brought them through. They trusted God and they kept going. It’s easy to get wrapped up in the drama of our lives and make things about ourselves. It’s easy to “poor me” over circumstances we dont like and wonder why is this happening when it hurts but it takes faith to keep walking a hard journey and keep your eyes of God.

This is exactly why Jesus came, to bring us to the Father, were ultimately we become overcomers!

What circumstances have you overwhelmed and ready to give up?
How can your turn your self focus into God focus?

Father, forgive me for all the ways I look away from You and make circumstances or how I feel the focus. I miss what You are doing in the midst of confusing and hard things when I forget to keep my eyes on You. Thank you for the faith and example of Joseph and Mary who continually trusted You to get them through each day. Day by day and every moment, Lord, be my strength. I trust You! In Jesus Name. Amen.

All is grace,

Starla