His Father's Son (Luke 2:41-52)

Every year Jesus' parents went to Jerusalem for the Festival of the Passover. When he was twelve years old, they went up to the festival, according to the custom. After the festival was over, while his parents were returning home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but they were unaware of it. (Luke 2:41-43 NIV)

Poor Joseph and Mary.  They get a bad rap for leaving their pre-teen son behind while travelling with a group.  Maybe after the movie "Home Alone" came out, us "perfect parents" learned to give them some slack.  None of us are perfect.  Joseph and Mary were just like us.

Thinking he was in their company, they traveled on for a day. Then they began looking for him among their relatives and friends. When they did not find him, they went back to Jerusalem to look for him. After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers. (Luke 2:44-47 NIV)

You may wonder why a story like this is included in Scripture.  Why would Luke take the time to talk about Joseph and Mary's mistake in raising their son?  It doesn't take long, though, before we find at least one viable answer.

When they found him, Jesus was hanging out in the temple courts.  He was listening to the teachers and asking them questions.  They were amazed at what he already knew at the age of twelve.  His questions and his answers gave him away.

Once again this is important to finding the Savior/Messiah.  One of our prophecies told us that he would barely be weaned off his mother's milk and already he would know the difference between right and wrong.  Holiness would be a hallmark of the Savior/Messiah.  He would know what it looked like to walk together with God.

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." "Why were you searching for me?" he asked. "Didn't you know I had to be in my Father's house?" But they did not understand what he was saying to them. (Luke 2:48-50 NIV)

His relationship with God, like a son with a father, was also a trait to be found in the Savior/Messiah.  He would have such a close relationship with God that he would not just know right from wrong, the Savior/Messiah would seem to know even more than "regular" teachers.  Jesus was well on his way to this kind of knowledge even before his teenage years.

Then he went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. But his mother treasured all these things in her heart. And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man. (Luke 2:51-52 NIV)

Finally, the Savior/Messiah wouldn't just know right from wrong or have special insight, he would follow what is right and reject what is wrong as well.  In fact, the Savior/Messiah would live his whole life without sin.  That doesn't mean he would live without temptation.  He would just choose to do what is right in all circumstances.  He would perfectly walk together with God.

What about you?  Do you know right from wrong?  Do you work at growing in wisdom and stature throughout your life?  Do you choose to do right and reject what is wrong?  Do you desire to be Christ-like?