His Father's Business

Today's Gospel passage from Luke 2:41-51 brings us to Jerusalem, where Jesus had gone with his parents for the Passover as a 12 year-old boy.  This would have been an important year in the life of Jesus, as it was his final year of preparation before his full participation in the religious life of the synagogue. Other than the first eight days of his life and the short time he was in Egypt when King Herod was trying to kill him, this is the only information we have from Jesus’ childhood and adulthood until age 30.  

In verses 43 and 44, we see that Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem without Mary and Joseph’s knowledge. The caravan had traveled a full day’s journey before they realized that Jesus was not among the group. That's like driving from Dallas to El Paso and realizing you left your child and having to drive back again. Only it's worse: they were probably walking.  Two things stand out here, and they seem inconsistent. First, there is Jesus' apparent disregard for his parents' time and feelings. Second, there is implicit faith Mary and Joseph have in their 12 year-old son. If he had been an irresponsible child, his parents would never have gone a whole day without knowing his whereabouts. They trusted him and knew he had good judgment. This suggests that Jesus' motive in staying behind was not carelessness or disrespect. Evidently he intentionally let them go in order to demonstrate something more forcefully.

Joseph and Mary were searching and searching and finally found him at the temple. Where did they search? In the playground, the local swimming hole, in the shops, at the bakery? Jesus tells them they shouldn’t have been wondering where to look at all. He thought it would have been clear to them that he would have been about his \Father’s business in the temple.

The main point of the whole passage probably lies in the contrast between "your father" and "my father." Mary says, "Your father and I have been searching for you." Jesus answers, "You should have known I would be at the house of my Father." In other words, Jesus has chosen this crucial stage in his life, on the brink of manhood, to tell his parents in an unforgettable way that he now knows who his real Father is and what it will mean for his mission. Jesus recognizes his unique sonship to God, and that his mission will require of him a devotion to God's purposes so great that it takes precedence over the closest family ties. He must follow his calling, even if it brings pain and misunderstanding. Sometimes we are called to do this same thing- to submit to God’s calling in our lives even when our family and friends don’t understand.  Reflect with me:

• Modeling Jesus’ desire to spend time in the temple, am I attending church regularly to learn, listen and engage in religious discussions?
• How does knowing that God is my Father allow me to step into the mission he has called me to?
• If God calls one of my loved ones in a way I don’t understand, can I trust that God has a good plan for their life?

Author: Anna Hjertstedt, School Nurse