December 30, 2018
To read full passage click: Luke 2:48-52 …“He said to them, ‘Why were you searching for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?’” vs. 49
It appears that parenting Jesus was a challenge for Mary and Joseph. They had every right to be upset with him. He had deliberately stayed behind in Jerusalem when the group from Nazareth had begun their journey home. There’s no mention that he said a word to anyone, and then, after two days of presumably frenzied searching, he shows no sign of remorse. Instead, his response to his mother communicates the kind of insolence that makes every parent bristle. In his youthful impudence, he implies that the whole misunderstanding was their fault. Parents are familiar with scenes like this. It seems every child goes through a period when they are completely oblivious to anyone’s needs but their own. It never dawns on them that their parents might have feelings, too. It would seem that this is a natural part of the maturing process and that every child will have a time when their focus is on self. Mary and Joseph were undoubtedly hurt, some of us know what that’s like. Luke says they didn’t understand his rationalization, and ultimately they all just went home. Nothing is said of Jesus’ teenage years, only that he increased in wisdom and in years. We do know that, ultimately he got over himself, and devoted his life to serving and loving. We only hope that our own children will do the same!
Thought for the Day: How would you have dealt with Jesus?
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