Every year Jesus' parents went to Jerusalem for the Passover festival. When Jesus was twelve years old, they attended the festival as usual. (Luke 2:41-42 NLT)
As a parent, teenage years are much more of a struggle. This little child is becoming a full-grown woman or man. We want to help them "learn to walk," but they often do not want our help. They are learning to walk on their own. They get a job and their own income stream. They learn to drive and find a way to get wheels. We try to put parameters around to ease the transition like curfews and other household rules, but at some point we realize we are watching the same process all over again. Our little child is learning how to walk. When they are teenagers, though, it can be a much more harrowing experience.
After the celebration was over, they started home to Nazareth, but Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents didn't miss Him at first, because they assumed He was among the other travelers. But when He didn't show up that evening, they started looking for Him among their relatives and friends. When they couldn't find Him, they went back to Jerusalem to search for Him there. (Luke 2:43-45 NLT)
When they are little, they have little problems. I remember when our toddler, Rebecca, got hold of a gallon jug of cooking oil. She wanted to see what was inside. Before Traci could catch her, she had transported the container to the living room, opened the cap, and poured out its contents all over the new carpet. This seemed like a big deal at the time, but it was only oil on carpet and it was right in our own living room.
When they are bigger, they have bigger problems. My middle daughter, Amanda, fights battles with her car. Burning oil, a dead battery, and tires that won't hold air are all par for the course in an older vehicle. It's one thing to get the call from a mile up the road: "Dad, my tire's flat." It's another to get the call from Anderson, Indiana. Perhaps the most difficult call to receive is the one that begins with, "We were in an accident." It was a five-car pile up. They were the 4th car. I'm thanking God that they were not hurt.
Three days later they finally discovered Him in the Temple, sitting among the religious teachers, listening to them and asking questions. All who heard Him were amazed at His understanding and His answers. His parents didn't know what to think. "Son," His mother said to Him, "why have You done this to us? Your father and I have been frantic, searching for You everywhere." "But why did you need to search?" He asked. "Didn't you know that I must be in My Father's house?" (Luke 2:46-49 NLT)
I don't think Jesus was trying to be rebellious here. We know he never sinned and all sin is rebellion. No, I just think Jesus was learning how to walk. He was pretty good at it, too. The teachers liked this kid. He clearly paid attention in school. He was going to make something of himself someday. Maybe he would become a teacher, too! His parents, however, weren't really interested in any of that. They were just thanking God that nobody was hurt.
But they didn't understand what He meant. Then He returned to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. And His mother stored all these things in her heart. Jesus grew in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and all the people. (Luke 2:50-52 NLT)
How about you? Have you taken your first steps in your walk together with God? Do you cut yourself some slack if you "fall down on your diaper?" Do you celebrate when you take those steps? Do you help others, even adults, takes those steps, too?
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