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Day 5 Luke 2:41 Luke 2:41 Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the Passover. 42 And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast. 43 And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it. 44 But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day’s journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance. 45 And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him. 46 And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions. 47 And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers. 48 And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? Behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing. 49 And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? Wist ye not that I must be about my Father’s business? 50 And they understood not the saying which he spoke unto them. 51 And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart. 52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man. How many times have you looked for your child, and couldn’t find him or her? Or did you always know where your child was, even when they disappeared for long periods of time? Jesus went up to Jerusalem to take part in the Feast of Passover. He was twelve-years-old at the time, a time when a boy his age, in Jewish culture, has their Bar Mitzvah. However, it wasn’t his Bar Mitzvah Jesus attended, when he stayed behind in Jerusalem without his parents’ knowledge. With one day’s travel behind them on the return trip to Nazareth, Joseph and Mary searched for Jesus among their kinsfolk, believing him to be among them. When they didn’t find him, they returned to Jerusalem. Two days have now passed since they left Jerusalem for the journey home. It took another three days for Joseph and Mary to find Jesus in the temple. When questioned about his behavior, Jesus replied, he needed to be about his Father’s business. Joseph and Mary didn’t understand what he meant, but Mary kept the incident in her memory. As Christians, we tend to overlook the fact, Jesus stayed behind because he was found in the temple, doing his Father’s business. Yet, Jesus caused his parents worry, just as any parent would worry if their child went missing for any length of time. And just like any parent, Joseph and Mary were anxious for his whereabouts, and searched until they found him. One thing Scripture tells us concerning Jesus, is that he was without sin. Though Jesus had stayed behind in Jerusalem to spend time with the teachers of the law, he had done nothing wrong. Joseph and Mary assumed Jesus had left with everyone else, and was with others in their company returning to Nazareth. This assumption would be based on the type of culture they had, and the fact they all knew each other, having come from the same town, and were all related to each other, being kinsfolk. Worry only set in when they didn’t find Jesus among their traveling companions at the end of the day. When Joseph and Mary found Jesus, he went with them, without argument, back to Nazareth, where he grew up in favor with God and man. In the world we live in today, a child missing for any length of time is cause for alarm. However, Jesus wasn’t born in today’s world. He was born at a time when people traveled in large groups, and trusted each other more because they knew the people they traveled with. Have you ever caused your parents worry with your disappearance? Have you had children who disappeared for any length of time, and when you found him or her, they were in no danger at any time? Let’s pray: Father, help me not to cause anybody alarm because my whereabouts are unknown. Help me do your will at all times, as Jesus did, even at a young age, doing your will. In Jesus’ name, I pray, amen. Copyright © 27 August 2018 by Valerie Routhieaux Image courtesy of Pixabay