"Why is it that you were looking for Me? Did you not know that I had to be in My Father's House?"
Luke's account of The Christmas Story is a chronological and historical compilation from personal interviews with those who knew Jesus best. It should not be surprising that the birth of Jesus is followed by The Search for Jesus. This time The Search was not made by The Shepherds or The Wise Men, but by His parents.
"Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile an account of the things accomplished among us, just as they were handed down to us by those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and servants of the word, it seemed fitting for me as well, having investigated everything carefully from the beginning, to write it out in consecutive order." Luke 1:1-3
At twelve years of age Jesus had accompanied Mary and Joseph on their annual trip to the City of Jerusalem. Along with thousands of other pious pilgrims they headed to The Temple to celebrate the Feast of the Passover.
The distance from Nazareth to Jerusalem is approximately 60 miles, as the crow flies, but in Israel even crows don't fly in a straight line. There are always turns in the road. What can be traveled today by bus, in a little over an hour, required Mary and Joseph to embark on an uphill journey that took the better part of a week to complete.
This worship experience was an act of obedience, not a matter of convenience. Genuine worship embraces the former, and stiff-arms the latter. Don't be surprised if worship feels like an uphill walk. You will never coast your way to higher ground.
The rugged terrain, slashed by a winding road, provided the threat of robbery at every twist and turn. The journey was made by caravan to provide protection for Mary and Joseph and the many pilgrims making their way to the celebration of The Feast.
After the celebration was completed, Mary and Joseph headed back downhill to Nazareth. After a day's journey they missed Jesus. This is an amazing admission, since all of what Luke wrote was inspired by The Spirit, and it also was a result of firsthand, personal interviews with those who knew Jesus best.
There is no evidence that Mary and Joseph ever released a book on "Parenting Jesus." My guess is, it would not be popular with contemporary "helicopter parents" intent on hovering over every moment of their child's life. But I digress.
"The boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. But His parents were unaware of it, but supposed him to be in the caravan, and went a day's journey and they began looking for Him among their relatives and acquaintances. When they did not find Him, they returned to Jerusalem looking for Him. Then, after three days they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both listening to them and asking questions."
For crying out loud! Mary and Joseph misplaced Jesus. They had one job. Stay with Jesus! Remember, Jesus had not left them. They had left Jesus. Eventually, they returned to where they left Him. Follow their lead.
In all fairness to Mary an Joseph, people lose Jesus every day, by taking His Presence for granted. The wise ones call out to The Father for help, and soon find their way back to The Son.
When Mary and Joseph found Jesus, they saw Him sitting, listening and asking questions of the teachers. The rabbis were amazed at His answers. Mary was astonished by His absence. She didn't commend her son for what He had done right. She rebuked Him for what she had done wrong. Mary didn't invent the blame game, but she was good at it. Some things never change.
"Son, why have you treated us this way? Behold, Your father and I have been anxiously looking for You." v. 48
This exchange reveals both an intimacy and a disconnect between Jesus and His parents. Mary felt the freedom to play the victim card, and attempted to guilt Jesus into a remorse over what she perceived to be His calloused treatment of their feelings. Perception is sometimes called the cruelest form of truth, but don't fall for the lie.
"They did not understand the statement which He made to them." v. 50
This exchange between Jesus and His earthly parents reveals there is a clear distinction between knowing about Jesus and understanding His mission. Jesus was drawn to The House of His Father, and saturated Himself in The Father's Word. He did it by sitting, and listening to teachers and asking and answering questions. His Mission was to please His Father, no matter where the journey took Him. Never forget it. The cradle led to The Cross.
The success of His mission called upon Jesus to learn from others, and to submit to His parent's authority over Him. The learned rabbis and His anxious parents invested all they had into Him. Jesus received what God gave to Him through them. God brought the increase.
A rebel stomps on the seeds God plants in His heart. A servant cherishes and cultivates what God sews into His life. Jesus learned to lead by submitting to the will of His Father, not by demanding His own will. The prayer life of Jesus kept the will of The Father dominant in His life. Prayer will do the same for you.
"He continued in subjection to them; and His mother treasured all these things in her heart. And Jesus kept increasing in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men." v. 52
NOTE TO SELF: Never allow a saintly smugness to settle into your relationship with Jesus. Your hands and your heart can grow calloused handling The Holy. Just when you think you have arrived in your journey, Jesus will make a turn that leaves you breathless with anxiety. Don't worry. Stay by His side in the yoke. Prayer increases your trust in Him as He takes you around a blind bend in the road. By His side, you will see life, not as an ambush, but as an adventure. Remember the words to the old camp song, "Where ever He leads, I'll go. Wise men still do.
TALK LESS! PRAY MORE!