The Life of Christ: The Boy in the Temple
We just finished looking at the birth of Christ over Christmas and the gifts God gives us through Christ, including renewal. Since we were already on that track, I figured that the logical choice would be to study the life of the gift of God. Easter is late this year, April 24th to be exact, and over the next 14 weeks, we are going to take a look at The Life of Christ. Of course, it will need adjusting due to candidates, but either way, I will write the sermons, post them on my website and have a sound recording of them to send out via my weekly emailing even if there is a candidate that week. It is naturally impossible to cover the entire Life of Christ in 14 weeks. What we are going to do each week is study each aspect of his life. This week, the title of the sermon is “The Boy in the Temple”. As if you could not imagine, we are going to look at the Passover where Jesus was in the temple.
Unfortunately, we do not have very much information on Jesus’ childhood. There are stories in other books written at about this time in what is called the Apocrypha. However, these books are not considered cannon; which simply mean they do not fit in with the rest of the books in the Bible; there is contradictory information in them from unknown sources. As far as the Bible goes, this is the only story we have to go on. Before we go any further, let’s read Luke 2:41-52.
41 Every year his parents went to Jerusalem for the Feast of the Passover. 42 When he was twelve years old, they went up to the Feast, according to the custom. 43 After the Feast was over, while his parents were returning home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but they were unaware of it. 44 Thinking he was in their company, they traveled on for a day. Then they began looking for him among their relatives and friends. 45 When they did not find him, they went back to Jerusalem to look for him. 46 After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. 47 Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers. 48 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.”
49 “Why were you searching for me?” he asked. “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?” 50 But they did not understand what he was saying to them.
51 Then he went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. But his mother treasured all these things in her heart. 52 And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.
It says every year Mary and Joseph went to Jerusalem for the Feast of Passover. Considering this event was the equivalent to Christmas today, it was a time to gather with family and friends close to celebrate the time of year. The Jerusalem Temple was the place to be. Every year around this time Jews made their way here in order to follow the traditional Jewish customs for the Passover Feast. Mary and Joseph were no different.
Have you ever gone to the grocery store and realized that one of the kids has disappeared? I have a very good friend who did that exact thing. He and his wife had just adopted a baby girl. It was their first and doted on her like most parents would. It had been a long day and he had picked up their daughter from daycare and made a stop at the grocery store. He was trucking right along on his list and got done with it and thought he was forgetting something. Not able to realize what it was, he continued through the store to see if he could remind himself of what it might be. At the complete opposite end of the store, he saw the ‘baby aisle’. It then dawned on him that he had left their new daughter in the van! He ran out of the store, leaving the cart where it was in the aisle to go out and get her. Luckily, it was Fall and was not too hot or cold, but when he got outside he realized why he had forgotten her…she was asleep and never knew the difference. I remember him telling me this story and he said he just innocently got out of the van, not hearing anything forgot he had her with him because it had only been a few days. I still do not know if she knows to this day!
How easy it is to forget something when we upset the routine! We hear all the time when people are out in public at theme parks, zoo’s and malls about kids getting lost and parents going, “I thought you had him!” “No, the last time I saw him he was with you!” “Yeah, but wasn’t he with Sarah’s mom?” Then Sarah’s mom goes, “Well, he was, but then he went over with Dave.” It is so easy to get lost when traveling in a group, which is why multiple chaperones are needed on excursions.
For Mary and Joseph, this was not just a family vacation, this was a major outing with a caravan of people. This was no small outing. It was huge. I can imagine this caravan prepping to leave Jerusalem after the Passover and, thinking everything was in order, left. As big as the caravan was, it does not surprise me that Jesus was able to stay in the temple unnoticed by everyone else. The crowds would have been big, confusion and chaos at an all-time high. No wonder no one noticed until a day later!
When they went back, they had no idea where he was, it took a further three days to find him. Of all places, he was in the temple, listening and asking questions to the teachers. Even these people were amazed at how much Jesus understood at his age. Naturally we know why, but these teachers were probably among those who would come later in his life accusing him of blasphemy. For the moment though, they could not believe his answers. It was absolutely uncanny that a 12 year old boy could have the answers and understanding that he had. Being the Son of God, he knew the Scriptures. He was divine and human. Even at this young age, his divine nature was there.
And then there was Mom. As only a mom could, she searched for him frantically and anxiously. Once she found him, she posed the question of mom’s everywhere. “Why did you worry me like that!!” Ok, so Mary did not ask that exact question, but in a sense, that it the point she was getting at. Why did you do this, we have been searching for you everywhere!
Even at 12, Jesus gave the typical cryptic response that he is so widely known for as he did when he was an adult. “Why were you searching for me? Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?” Being this cryptic, no one understood what it was he was saying because the word he used patros was the word for parents, father, or even Father with a capital F, God.
This next verse is the key to everything here in this story. It says that Jesus then went with them to Nazareth and was obedient to them. Jesus was obedient to them, because they were his parents. Even though he was the creator of the universe, he had subjected himself to becoming human in order to serve mankind. Jesus knew that he would be ok if he were to stay there, he is the creator of the universe. Not only was it not the right time yet, but at that time, he was still subject to his parents authority. For their sake and for the sake of the law, authority, and submission, he was obedient to his parents.
So what now? Where do we integrate this story into our lives for today? At first this week, I was having trouble with this one. What in the world does this story have to do with our lives today? But then, it hit me. Just like Mary and Joseph did, we get busy having a great time and then all of the sudden we realize that Jesus is not where we think he should be. So, we go searching for him frantically and anxiously.
This reminds me of one of those church bulletin oversights. I have seen this in numerous books and emails and so have you too probably. It is a church who is advertising their upcoming events and the next weeks Sermon title is “Jesus Walks on Water”. That evening, the Sermon is “Searching for Jesus”. Hopefully everyone knows that Jesus does not sink.
But the story proves to be something of value. There are times when we think that Jesus has disappeared or is not where we left him. However, Jesus really has not left, he is right where he belongs.
All too often in our lives we are going along and having fun and then something happens and we go looking for Jesus in the nice, safe little box we put him in. Unfortunately, when we put Jesus in a box, he has a tendency to move in places we just refuse to see. Even at the tender young age of 12, Jesus had more of a sense of Scriptures than we do after 80 years of life, if ever.
Jesus after this event, went with his parents and subjected himself to their authority. Later, Jesus himself even states that he has not come to be served, but to serve. Jesus is with us in order to serve us. He serves as mediator between God and us so that we can have a relationship; however, putting him in a box is not where he belongs. Jesus breaks through barriers that to us are very uncomfortable.
There is a story of a little girl who’s brother is deathly ill with a brain tumor and because the family doesn’t have health insurance, the operation will cost much more than the family can afford. They went to church regularly, but nonetheless, the brother is sent home with no other hope than for a miracle. Settled with the fact that their son is going to die, his sister refuses to give up. So she takes her piggy bank and counts the coins inside. She then walks the block to the local pharmacy to talk to the pharmacist. After trying to get his attention multiple times, she finally shouted at him. Turning his head toward the little girl, the pharmacist goes, “Yes, little girl, can I help you? Please be quick, I’m talking to my brother who I haven’t seen in a very long time. The little girl proceeded to ask the pharmacist for a miracle for her brother. Confused, he answered back, I’m sorry sweetie, we don’t sell miracles here. She piped up and said, I have a dollar twenty, I know it’s not much, but my dad says the only thing that can save my brother is a miracle. I really need one. The pharmacist then goes over to talk to his brother, a well-known neuro-surgeon from Chicago. He bends over and says, “tell me your story honey.” She then tells him the story and says that she has a dollar twenty. The doctor happily accepts the fee, and nothing more. He performs the surgery her brother needed without charge, saving his life.
The next time you feel like you’ve lost touch with Jesus, look for him in a place you might not expect. Open your heart to the fact that he is working in a way in your life that might be something you overlook easily. Mary and Joseph overlooked the fact that Jesus could still be at the temple. Do not overlook the fact that Jesus is indeed working in your life, just not in the place you might expect. Don’t keep Jesus in a box…open your heart and look for Jesus somewhere you don’t expect.
Unfortunately, we do not have very much information on Jesus’ childhood. There are stories in other books written at about this time in what is called the Apocrypha. However, these books are not considered cannon; which simply mean they do not fit in with the rest of the books in the Bible; there is contradictory information in them from unknown sources. As far as the Bible goes, this is the only story we have to go on. Before we go any further, let’s read Luke 2:41-52.
41 Every year his parents went to Jerusalem for the Feast of the Passover. 42 When he was twelve years old, they went up to the Feast, according to the custom. 43 After the Feast was over, while his parents were returning home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but they were unaware of it. 44 Thinking he was in their company, they traveled on for a day. Then they began looking for him among their relatives and friends. 45 When they did not find him, they went back to Jerusalem to look for him. 46 After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. 47 Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers. 48 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.”
49 “Why were you searching for me?” he asked. “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?” 50 But they did not understand what he was saying to them.
51 Then he went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. But his mother treasured all these things in her heart. 52 And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.
It says every year Mary and Joseph went to Jerusalem for the Feast of Passover. Considering this event was the equivalent to Christmas today, it was a time to gather with family and friends close to celebrate the time of year. The Jerusalem Temple was the place to be. Every year around this time Jews made their way here in order to follow the traditional Jewish customs for the Passover Feast. Mary and Joseph were no different.
Have you ever gone to the grocery store and realized that one of the kids has disappeared? I have a very good friend who did that exact thing. He and his wife had just adopted a baby girl. It was their first and doted on her like most parents would. It had been a long day and he had picked up their daughter from daycare and made a stop at the grocery store. He was trucking right along on his list and got done with it and thought he was forgetting something. Not able to realize what it was, he continued through the store to see if he could remind himself of what it might be. At the complete opposite end of the store, he saw the ‘baby aisle’. It then dawned on him that he had left their new daughter in the van! He ran out of the store, leaving the cart where it was in the aisle to go out and get her. Luckily, it was Fall and was not too hot or cold, but when he got outside he realized why he had forgotten her…she was asleep and never knew the difference. I remember him telling me this story and he said he just innocently got out of the van, not hearing anything forgot he had her with him because it had only been a few days. I still do not know if she knows to this day!
How easy it is to forget something when we upset the routine! We hear all the time when people are out in public at theme parks, zoo’s and malls about kids getting lost and parents going, “I thought you had him!” “No, the last time I saw him he was with you!” “Yeah, but wasn’t he with Sarah’s mom?” Then Sarah’s mom goes, “Well, he was, but then he went over with Dave.” It is so easy to get lost when traveling in a group, which is why multiple chaperones are needed on excursions.
For Mary and Joseph, this was not just a family vacation, this was a major outing with a caravan of people. This was no small outing. It was huge. I can imagine this caravan prepping to leave Jerusalem after the Passover and, thinking everything was in order, left. As big as the caravan was, it does not surprise me that Jesus was able to stay in the temple unnoticed by everyone else. The crowds would have been big, confusion and chaos at an all-time high. No wonder no one noticed until a day later!
When they went back, they had no idea where he was, it took a further three days to find him. Of all places, he was in the temple, listening and asking questions to the teachers. Even these people were amazed at how much Jesus understood at his age. Naturally we know why, but these teachers were probably among those who would come later in his life accusing him of blasphemy. For the moment though, they could not believe his answers. It was absolutely uncanny that a 12 year old boy could have the answers and understanding that he had. Being the Son of God, he knew the Scriptures. He was divine and human. Even at this young age, his divine nature was there.
And then there was Mom. As only a mom could, she searched for him frantically and anxiously. Once she found him, she posed the question of mom’s everywhere. “Why did you worry me like that!!” Ok, so Mary did not ask that exact question, but in a sense, that it the point she was getting at. Why did you do this, we have been searching for you everywhere!
Even at 12, Jesus gave the typical cryptic response that he is so widely known for as he did when he was an adult. “Why were you searching for me? Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?” Being this cryptic, no one understood what it was he was saying because the word he used patros was the word for parents, father, or even Father with a capital F, God.
This next verse is the key to everything here in this story. It says that Jesus then went with them to Nazareth and was obedient to them. Jesus was obedient to them, because they were his parents. Even though he was the creator of the universe, he had subjected himself to becoming human in order to serve mankind. Jesus knew that he would be ok if he were to stay there, he is the creator of the universe. Not only was it not the right time yet, but at that time, he was still subject to his parents authority. For their sake and for the sake of the law, authority, and submission, he was obedient to his parents.
So what now? Where do we integrate this story into our lives for today? At first this week, I was having trouble with this one. What in the world does this story have to do with our lives today? But then, it hit me. Just like Mary and Joseph did, we get busy having a great time and then all of the sudden we realize that Jesus is not where we think he should be. So, we go searching for him frantically and anxiously.
This reminds me of one of those church bulletin oversights. I have seen this in numerous books and emails and so have you too probably. It is a church who is advertising their upcoming events and the next weeks Sermon title is “Jesus Walks on Water”. That evening, the Sermon is “Searching for Jesus”. Hopefully everyone knows that Jesus does not sink.
But the story proves to be something of value. There are times when we think that Jesus has disappeared or is not where we left him. However, Jesus really has not left, he is right where he belongs.
All too often in our lives we are going along and having fun and then something happens and we go looking for Jesus in the nice, safe little box we put him in. Unfortunately, when we put Jesus in a box, he has a tendency to move in places we just refuse to see. Even at the tender young age of 12, Jesus had more of a sense of Scriptures than we do after 80 years of life, if ever.
Jesus after this event, went with his parents and subjected himself to their authority. Later, Jesus himself even states that he has not come to be served, but to serve. Jesus is with us in order to serve us. He serves as mediator between God and us so that we can have a relationship; however, putting him in a box is not where he belongs. Jesus breaks through barriers that to us are very uncomfortable.
There is a story of a little girl who’s brother is deathly ill with a brain tumor and because the family doesn’t have health insurance, the operation will cost much more than the family can afford. They went to church regularly, but nonetheless, the brother is sent home with no other hope than for a miracle. Settled with the fact that their son is going to die, his sister refuses to give up. So she takes her piggy bank and counts the coins inside. She then walks the block to the local pharmacy to talk to the pharmacist. After trying to get his attention multiple times, she finally shouted at him. Turning his head toward the little girl, the pharmacist goes, “Yes, little girl, can I help you? Please be quick, I’m talking to my brother who I haven’t seen in a very long time. The little girl proceeded to ask the pharmacist for a miracle for her brother. Confused, he answered back, I’m sorry sweetie, we don’t sell miracles here. She piped up and said, I have a dollar twenty, I know it’s not much, but my dad says the only thing that can save my brother is a miracle. I really need one. The pharmacist then goes over to talk to his brother, a well-known neuro-surgeon from Chicago. He bends over and says, “tell me your story honey.” She then tells him the story and says that she has a dollar twenty. The doctor happily accepts the fee, and nothing more. He performs the surgery her brother needed without charge, saving his life.
The next time you feel like you’ve lost touch with Jesus, look for him in a place you might not expect. Open your heart to the fact that he is working in a way in your life that might be something you overlook easily. Mary and Joseph overlooked the fact that Jesus could still be at the temple. Do not overlook the fact that Jesus is indeed working in your life, just not in the place you might expect. Don’t keep Jesus in a box…open your heart and look for Jesus somewhere you don’t expect.
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