A Mother’s Frantic Search
“This is Jesus, giving us a glimpse into His character and what He is about to do.”
Luke 2:41-51 (NIV)
Every year Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem for the Festival of the Passover. When he was twelve years old, they went up to the festival, according to the custom. After the festival was over, while his parents were returning home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but they were unaware of it. Thinking he was in their company, they traveled on for a day. Then they began looking for him among their relatives and friends. When they did not find him, they went back to Jerusalem to look for him. After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers. When his parents saw him, they were astonished. His mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you.”
“Why were you searching for me?” he asked. “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?” But they did not understand what he was saying to them.
Then he went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. But his mother treasured all these things in her heart.
Reflection
I once read an article telling the true story of an older boy who was working on his Chevy when the jacks gave out and almost two tons of metal fell on him. Hearing the accident, his mother, drawing from a strength she didn’t know she had, came to his rescue and lifted the vehicle off of her son while neighbors pulled him out.
Commonly referred to as hysterical strength, it is the display of superhuman strength during times of extreme, life-threatening situations. Similarly, I bet Mary could have lifted a Chevy when she discovered Jesus missing! It took them three days to find Him so can you imagine the fear and worry Mary must have felt in those frantic moments?
Sneaking away at age twelve seems somewhat normal. At least it is something we can wrap our brains around. Discovering your missing twelve year old teaching, sharing, and learning from others in the temple court is another story. This is Jesus, giving us a glimpse into His character and what He is about to do.
When his earthly parents questioned Him, He simply told them He wasn’t lost, and that they should have known He would be in His Father’s house. Jesus used the word “father” to refer to God. This must have stirred so many emotions in Mary and Joseph. They calmed down and demonstrated their faith, but only to the degree they were emotionally able. This wasn’t doubt, though. It was their humanness coming through in the love of their child. They already knew who Jesus was, but the fullness of who He really was wouldn’t make sense until after the Resurrection. Until then, they were called to great obedience while Jesus fulfilled His plan of redemption. They were willing to obey without knowing the whole story. Are you?
Action Steps
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You for each morning. Thank You for touching my heart and opening my eyes to Your truth. Remind me glorify to You and put You first in all I do. Fill my heart with a longing to search frantically for You. Expose the areas of my life for which I need to repent. Thank You for continuing to guide me, teach me, and love me through this life. I pray for those who don’t know You yet. Give me just the right words when I’m sharing You with others. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Every year Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem for the Festival of the Passover. When he was twelve years old, they went up to the festival, according to the custom. After the festival was over, while his parents were returning home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but they were unaware of it. Thinking he was in their company, they traveled on for a day. Then they began looking for him among their relatives and friends. When they did not find him, they went back to Jerusalem to look for him. After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers. When his parents saw him, they were astonished. His mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you.”
“Why were you searching for me?” he asked. “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?” But they did not understand what he was saying to them.
Then he went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. But his mother treasured all these things in her heart.
Reflection
I once read an article telling the true story of an older boy who was working on his Chevy when the jacks gave out and almost two tons of metal fell on him. Hearing the accident, his mother, drawing from a strength she didn’t know she had, came to his rescue and lifted the vehicle off of her son while neighbors pulled him out.
Commonly referred to as hysterical strength, it is the display of superhuman strength during times of extreme, life-threatening situations. Similarly, I bet Mary could have lifted a Chevy when she discovered Jesus missing! It took them three days to find Him so can you imagine the fear and worry Mary must have felt in those frantic moments?
Sneaking away at age twelve seems somewhat normal. At least it is something we can wrap our brains around. Discovering your missing twelve year old teaching, sharing, and learning from others in the temple court is another story. This is Jesus, giving us a glimpse into His character and what He is about to do.
When his earthly parents questioned Him, He simply told them He wasn’t lost, and that they should have known He would be in His Father’s house. Jesus used the word “father” to refer to God. This must have stirred so many emotions in Mary and Joseph. They calmed down and demonstrated their faith, but only to the degree they were emotionally able. This wasn’t doubt, though. It was their humanness coming through in the love of their child. They already knew who Jesus was, but the fullness of who He really was wouldn’t make sense until after the Resurrection. Until then, they were called to great obedience while Jesus fulfilled His plan of redemption. They were willing to obey without knowing the whole story. Are you?
Action Steps
- Think of the things you would sacrifice for those you love. Journal how this relates to the sacrifices made by Mary and Joseph.
- Spend time thinking about how Jesus’ actions in these verses glorified God.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You for each morning. Thank You for touching my heart and opening my eyes to Your truth. Remind me glorify to You and put You first in all I do. Fill my heart with a longing to search frantically for You. Expose the areas of my life for which I need to repent. Thank You for continuing to guide me, teach me, and love me through this life. I pray for those who don’t know You yet. Give me just the right words when I’m sharing You with others. In Jesus’ name, amen.
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