The Music of Christmas, Day 24

 Recitations of a Lost Boy

Read Luke 2:41-52
“Why were you looking for me? 

Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” – Jesus 

 

Two of the four Gospels give us details about Jesus’ birth and infancy. All four Gospels give us accounts of His life after 30, but very little is known about the 28 years between the magi visiting Jesus in Bethlehem and His baptism at age thirty. Today’s scripture reading is the one and only interruption in this prolonged silence. But why this particular scene? Wouldn’t the death of Joseph have been more worthy? Or that moment when Jesus first recognized His ability to perform miracles? With so many questions and so little information about Jesus’ early life, why would Dr. Luke, a careful researcher and historian, have only included this one boyhood encounter between Jesus, His bewildered parents, and Jerusalem’s religious establishment?

 

It was the Jewish custom that a boy would begin a more formal study of Torah and his family trade at age 12. It’s at this point that a boy is considered bar mitzvah or a “son of the law.” His formal education was delivered in the rabbinical style of learning through the forming of questions. Rather than answering questions asked, the goal was to show comprehension by answering with another, deeper question. That day in the temple, twelve-year-old Jesus amazed the rabbis. His questions displayed a complete understanding of two critical realities — the identity of His true Father and His mission on earth. 

 

First, Jesus clearly identified Himself as the Son of God: “’Why were you searching for me?' He asked. 'Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?'” (Luke 2:49) Notice the contrast between Jesus’ use of "my father" in this verse and Mary’s use of "your father" in verse 48. Jesus chose this occasion, on the brink of manhood, to tell His parents that He knew the identity of His real Father. It wasn’t Mary who revealed to Jesus the true nature of His divine conception. It was Jesus who explained it to Mary. 

Second, Jesus was a son with a mission to complete. And by age twelve, He was already in His Father’s house, getting down to business. Notice three striking similarities between this scene and the events that led up to His death. First, Mary and Joseph returned to find Jesus on the third day. Second, these events took place in Jerusalem where, 20 years later, Jesus will be accused, tried, convicted, and killed, perhaps by the same teachers who marveled at the boy. Most of the action takes place inside the very Temple about which Jesus would say, "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up." (John 2:19) That temple was only a shadow of what Jesus would do on the cross. Lastly, Jesus uses the phrases, “didn't you know” and “it is necessary,” phrases He repeated before returning to Jerusalem to face crucifixion. This rare account from Jesus' boyhood foreshadows His ultimate mission as the Savior of the world … a mission that only He seemed to understand.

Often, those who should have known Jesus best did not recognize Him for who He was or what He came to do. Consider His disciples: even after repeated reminders they seem shocked and confused by His death and in complete disbelief at His resurrection. Even His own mother seemed confused throughout most of His life (see day 14). Luke’s Gospel begins with Mary’s confusion at Jesus’ birth (Luke 2:19 & 48-51) and ends with the confusion of His disciples at His resurrection (Luke 24).

Bottom line: your ability to understand God is not what will save you. But your faith in Him will. If you feel like you desperately need clarity, or possibly a messenger from God, try simply trusting Jesus instead. And remember, if the people who should have known Him best failed to recognize Him or understand His meaning, it stands to reason that we may not either. Our goal should not be to emerge from confusion, but to seek Jesus in the midst of it, and to trust Him there. "Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known." (1 Corinthians 13:12)

All Knowing Father,

 

You are infinite while I am so limited. But in Your divine grace and mercy, You are patiently revealing Yourself to me through Jesus. Open my eyes to see You through His life, to hear You through His words, and to know You in His death and resurrection. Help me to walk by faith and to know that all Your fulness if revealed in Him.
Amen.

The Music of Christmas is available in print or digital formats.