There is much taught today in the modern church about ‘family’ and ‘family values’. Scriptures are very few and far between that directly speak to this subject. Someday I may write about this subject but in this column I deal with it somewhat.
Let me began by asking ‘Would you have liked to be the parent of Jesus?’
Do you tell your children to be good and be just like Jesus?
Or let me put it another way. What would you do if your child was lost from you for three or four days on purpose! And when you found your wayward child he told you he had other business and did not take the time to inform you of his whereabouts.
Well we have this Child being Jesus!
Let’s read the scripture and then press on with looking at Jesus and His mother, Mary.
Luke 2:39-52
So when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord,
they returned to Galilee,
to their own city, Nazareth.
And the Child grew and became strong in spirit,
filled with wisdom; and the grace of God was upon Him.
His parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover.
And when He was twelve years old,
they went up to Jerusalem according to the custom of the feast.
When they had finished the days, as they returned,
the Boy Jesus lingered behind in Jerusalem.
And Joseph and His mother (laterally Parents) did not know it;
but supposing Him to have been in the company, they went a day’s journey, and sought Him among their relatives and acquaintances.
So when they did not find Him, they returned to Jerusalem, seeking Him.
Now so it was that after three days they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both listening to them and asking them questions.
And all who heard Him were astonished at His understanding and answers.
So when they saw Him, they were amazed; and
His mother said to Him,
“Son, why have You done this to us?
Look, Your father and I have sought You anxiously.”
And He said to them,
“Why did you seek Me?
Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s (business not in the original)?”
But they did not understand the statement He spoke to them.
Then He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was subject to them, but His mother kept all these things in her heart.
And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.
Two things were said about Jesus and His childhood development in the passage above.
“And the Child grew and became strong in spirit,
filled with wisdom; and the grace of God was upon Him.
And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.’
Jesus was no ordinary child.
But I will say focused on Jesus and Mary as we study about Jesus and women.
All males among the Hebrews were required to appear three times a year before God to attend the ordinances in the Temple. Exodus 23:14-17 and Deuteronomy 16:16.
Jesus must have made this journey many times during many years with Mary and Joseph. This time it was to be historic. Jesus was not twelve years old. When His parents left Jerusalem after the week long time at the Temple Jesus was not with them.
After one day’s travel out of Jerusalem, Mary and Joseph realized that Jesus was not with them.
Jesus was Lost! After the great and glorious conception in the womb of Mary, the awesome Birth, the Wise men and the journey to Egypt to protect Jesus and now He was lost.
Back to Jerusalem they rushed. One cannot be certain but the total time they were lost from Jesus was three or four days.
When they found Him, Jesus was in the Temple with the leaders asking questions and answering questions.
The mission of Jesus was getting clear. I might add that many of the leaders and teachers here that Jesus came to know would 18 years later become His great enemies and some even be the ones to demand His death upon the cross.
Sometimes envy and pride and hate take root and grows until it lashes out. So as Jesus begin His public ministry eighteen years later many of these same people who resented this Child came to oppose Jesus the Messiah and His mighty works.
But back to the subject at hand.
So when they saw Him, they were amazed; and
His mother said to Him,
“Son, why have You done this to us?
Look, Your father and I have sought You anxiously.”
And He said to them,
“Why did you seek Me?
Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s (business not in the original)?”
But they did not understand the statement He spoke to them.
The reaction of Mary is much like the reaction of any mother or father “Why have you done this to us?
They were very anxious and troubled. They had not expected this of Jesus. They did not understand.
In today’s world in America they would already have issued an Amber Alert. The TV stations and networks would have interviewed the parents and family.
Now the lost Child was found. Family and friends rushed to Him (with the TV cameras rolling, my addition) and what were the words of this lost Child.
Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s
(business not in the original)?”
The words of Jesus were very strong and clear. Now Jesus was declaring His true identity.
God the Father was the true Father of Jesus! Jesus had work to do and was now on His mission. The words business is added in most translations but is not in the original. It is implied but not written.
There is no sorrow or apology. Jesus had done no wrong.
One of my sons Joshua was called by Jesus at the age of 10 to make a cross and carry it beside me. What does a father do with such a child and call? I took Joshua with me for years around the world in wars and battlefields etc because I could not stand in the way of the call of God.
Two months ago our two and a half year of daughter Sophia begin to lay hands on people and many people feel the mighty peace of Jesus flow in and through them. People are even being healed as she lays hands on them. How are Denise and I as parents to behave? Some people do not like it but we must not stand in the way of this mighty move of God. I will hold Sophia in my arms and let her pray as she feels led.
You want your children to be like Jesus then you have to be free to let them be led of the Holy Spirit. I may test you but that is great.
Are you the parent saying no to your teenager’s mission trip overseas?
Are you trying to push your child away from their call to preach or sing or serve in missions in dangerous places? Be careful you could be hindering the will and call of God on your child.
A bit of assurance to you parents:
Then He (Jesus) went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was subject to them,
Jesus was not in rebellion but in the will of the Father. Don’t worry. Jesus will lead your children in His mighty was and your home will be blessed.
Pilgrim followers of Jesus (seeking to raise an anointed daughter in the way of Jesus)
Arthur and Denise Blessitt
Luke 18:1