Scripture:

⁴¹ Every year Jesus’ parents would go to Jerusalem for the Passover festival. ⁴² When he was 12 years old, they went as usual.⁴³ When the festival was over, they left for home. The boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but his parents didn’t know it. ⁴⁴ They thought that he was with the others who were traveling with them. After traveling for a day, they started to look for him among their relatives and friends. ⁴⁵ When they didn’t find him, they went back to Jerusalem to look for him.

⁴⁶ Three days later, they found him in the temple courtyard. He was sitting among the teachers, listening to them, and asking them questions. ⁴⁷ His understanding and his answers stunned everyone who heard him. ⁴⁸ When his parents saw him, they were shocked. His mother asked him, “Son, why have you done this to us? Your father and I have been worried sick looking for you!” ⁴⁹ Jesus said to them, “Why were you looking for me? Didn’t you realize that I had to be in my Father’s house?” ⁵⁰ But they didn’t understand what he meant. ⁵¹ Then he returned with them to Nazareth and was obedient to them.
Luke 2:41-51

Passover festival time again. Jesus was 12 years old now. He and his family went to take part in the festival as they did every year.

Imagine now, if you will, attending a festival with your children/child. Everything was going great. Now, it’s time to go home. Jesus had his own agenda. He didn’t tell his parents what he was doing. Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. When they didn’t see him in their entourage they just assumed he was hanging back with other travelers. When a day passed and they didn’t see Jesus in their group they started to worry and began looking for him. Now, I picture here, according to today’s society, the police have been called in and a huge search party was sent out looking. The parents stay home next to the phone waiting for any news of their missing child. Well, back then, they didn’t have the resources we do today. Imagine the scare of their life upon them. Their child is missing. They lost him. Total freak out ensues. I know how I’ve felt when I couldn’t locate my daughter on occasion.

Three days later, his parents found him in the temple courtyard. He was with the teachers, listening and questioning them. Jesus stunned everyone with his understanding and his answers. His parents saw him and were shocked to find him there. Mary asked Jesus, “Son, why have you done this to us? Your father and I have been worried sick looking for you!” in verse 48. Jesus said to them, “Why were you looking for me? Didn’t you realize that I had to be in my Father’s house?” in verse 49. He didn’t see what the issue was. He assumed they would know. They didn’t understand what he meant. So, they returned home. He was obedient to his parents. The kids today aren’t so obedient. They kick up quite a fuss.

This is a great lesson in communication and obedience. I believe we could all learn from this. What are your thoughts? Please share.

Prayer:

Thank You, Jesus, for Your guidance and obedience to Your Heavenly Father. Teach us to be obedient and to communicate. Thank You, for everything You said, still say (in Your word) to lead, guide, and direct our lives to You. I pray the readers of this blog will look to You for this leadership, guidance, and direction that leads to You. In Jesus’ name, amen.