Subscription Lists

Scoop: Code Adam at Temple; Boy of 12Missing! Once again Dr. Luke scooped the other three gospel writers with this unique and interesting story. Whether you are familiar with this happening or not, you will find a blessing in reading it as our current installment of Today's Little Lift.

“His [Jesus'] 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 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?' But they did not understand the statement which 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.” (Luke 2.41-52).

There are literally scores of lessons that beg to be discovered in this text. However, we will focus only on one in our study today. Here is the passage from which this lesson will be taken; “Then He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was subject to them.” This, by the way, is the last time that one reads about Joseph, Mary's husband in the scripture.

At the temple when his parents asked why he had remained behind, Jesus said, “Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business?” Herein is the reality that is worthy of a scoop; Jesus openly admitted that he had a Father whose business would arrest His attention for years to come. Although the type of business might not have been perfectly clear until some later date, it was obvious that Jesus knew a calling that surpassed all other calling; He had to be about His Father's business! His response to them pointed out a fact that would never change, whether in the life of Jesus or in our lives. In this world, there are two types of business; the secular and the Divine. These two types of business need not clash, but when they do, God's business comes first!

However, at this early age, there was no conflict between the life that young Jesus led and the call that would eventually come. For this reason, He was able to be subject to His earthly parents even though He was God in the flesh. This did not make Him less; in fact, it made Him more. The lesson here is simple but profound: if Jesus found it good to be in subjection to His parents even though he was the Son of God, how much more should those of us who are mere humans show the same respect to our parents? It may not be the popular thing to do, and it may not get a person advanced up the social and political ladder, but it is still the right thing to do.

I don't know who said for the very first time, “I'd rather be right than to be president,” but that is a powerful sentiment. Being about our heavenly Father's business will ALWAYS mean that there is a proper time and place to show our parents and those in authority that we love them but that we love God supremely.

Questions:

1. Where did Mary and Joseph think that Jesus was during the time He was in the temple at Jerusalem?

2. What word did Mary use to characterize their feelings when they discovered Him missing?

3. How did the onlookers react to Jesus' knowledge and wisdom?

4. What did Mary do with her memories of this event as well at the fact that she knew Jesus had a heavenly Father?

"Chip Shots from the Ruff of Life" from Tom Kelley

The Curse is Gone