Jewish adult males were required by the law of Moses to appear before God 3 times a year at the great festivals (Passover, Pentecost, and Tabernacles). The age of manhood was 12, which was also Jesus' age at this time in the narrative, and thus a requirement for him to present himself at the altar.By the same law, this is his first "conscious" visit to Jerusalem, the place of his eventual death. (Imagine the emotional weight of that thought, and yet he kept silent about this during his time there.)
As the parents return home, they "lose" Jesus. (The caravans were traditionally separated by men and women, so there could have been legitimate miscommunication between Mary and Joseph.) They are "unaware" (v.43) of the fact that they have lost him for an entire day! They searched feverishly for him among their relatives and friends and did not find him until they backtracked all the way to Jerusalem and after three days.
There are many spiritual parallels to this story:
1. We can easily "lose Jesus" and even be unaware of the fact for a long period of time.
2. We may search for Jesus feverishly in the wrong places.
3. We find him after some effort - sometimes requiring backtracking, and often at the place we last left him.
4. Those who seek Jesus w/ great anxiety find him w/ greater joy.
They eventually found him at the temple courts engaged in rich discussion w/ the religious elite.
The *courts* were places of learning (notice Jesus didn't "argue", but "listened" and "asked questions" of the teachers.)
The *sanctuary* was the place of the altar and worship - this duty had already been fulfilled so Jesus wasn't found there. In this, we shed some light on the purpose of Jesus staying behind in Jerusalem - "[growing] in his wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men." (v.52) We should strive to grow in the way Jesus did even as a child!
Interesting note - Jesus asked his parents "Why were you searching for me?" I love the irony and symbolism - We all have to find Jesus *spiritually*, Mary and Joseph had to find Jesus *literally*.
And lastly - Jesus was "obedient to them." (v.51) Picture God (sinless and perfect) being obedient to parents (sinners and imperfect). We have ZERO excuse to disobey our parents. :D
lybiC/mig.
3 comments:
this is really great. this lesson can really go a long way.
thank you whoever you are for writing it =)
That was Miguel.
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