Five-minute read.
Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover. And when he was twelve years old, they went up according to custom. And when the feast was ended, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents did not know it, 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, and when they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem, searching for him.
After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. 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.” And he said to them, “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” And they did not understand the saying that he spoke to them. 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.
Luke 2:41-51
Luke tells the only story about Jesus’ boyhood found in scripture. When I read this section, my mind goes to the no longer existing Three Rivers Stadium in Pittsburgh. Leaving a Pirates baseball game, I separated from my family at the turnstile. Panic immediately overwhelmed me as the crowd swallowed me in its midst. Although my parents found me within minutes, those few traumatic moments and the intense feelings have stayed with me.
Families traveled together when attending the three major feasts each year: Passover, Pentecost, and Tabernacles. Children traveled with the women, and everyone looked out for each other, so Mary and Joseph didn’t notice Jesus’ absence because they assumed someone had their eye on Him. And someone did, His heavenly Father, as Jesus sat in the temple questioning the teachers, foreshadowing His ministry.
God brought a new friend into my life. Her passion and knowledge of Christ, as well as her ministry work, inspire and encourage me. When we get together, I sit and listen, in awe of her faith in action. Thinking about the teachers listening to the young boy, I wonder if they felt the same way. Without a doubt, Mary and Joseph felt amazed at Jesus’ understanding of the scriptures, their astonishment evident.
As you study Jesus’ life, it becomes evident that He mastered the art of questioning. Instead of trying to prove His points, the Savior asked the right questions, which caused people to think about their answers and to conclude independently. One can only imagine the questions the twelve-year-old asked the teachers, but I’m sure some of them ruffled a few feathers. Taking the plank out of our eye before addressing the speck in someone else’s requires self-examination, something many people don’t like doing. An article from Forbes magazine states that only 15% of people possess self-awareness. (i)
Jesus helps us become more self-aware with the questions He asks. As we realize our sins, we understand our need for a Savior. The closer we draw to Christ, the more fine-tuning He will do in our lives. With amazing understanding, Jesus leads us on our path to glory, one step at a time.
(i) https://www.forbes.com/sites/jeffkauflin/2017/05/10/only-15-of-people-are-self-aware-heres-how-to-change/
Prayer:
Lord, thank You for Jesus’ ministry, which leads us to better self-awareness and an understanding of our need for Him. Please give us eyes to see and ears to hear Your promptings as we seek the Savior. Let us become more like Christ one day at a time.
IJNIP. Amen
