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41 Now every year his parents went to Jerusalem for the festival of the Passover. 42 And when he was twelve years old, they went up as usual for the festival. 43 When the festival was ended and they started to return, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but his parents did not know it. 44 Assuming that he was in the group of travelers, they went a day's journey. Then they started to look for him among their relatives and friends. 45 When they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem to search for him. 46 After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. 47 And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. 48 When his parents saw him they were astonished; and his mother said to him, "Child, why have you treated us like this? Look, your father and I have been searching for you in great anxiety." 49 He said to them, "Why were you searching for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?" 50 But they did not understand what he said to them. 51 Then he went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them. His mother treasured all these things in her heart. 52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and in years, and in divine and human favor. (Luke 2:41-52 NRSV)
Dear Friend, Happy last day of 2024! I am praying that this has been overall a year of blessings; in the good and the bad, God has been with us and for that we ought to be thankful. And as we prepare for 2025 to arrive, let us begin it in prayer with full trust and confidence in God, and let us pray that we be made stronger, bolder, and more enthusiastic for God's work in our lives. There is much to do and so many still to reach; but we can! We're here to win the world to Jesus.
I grew up with two ancient Bible languages; Reina-Valera, and King James. I was good at learning and memorizing Bible verses, with Luke 2:52 being the first that I learned as a boy. I loved the cadence and power of it, and I share it here: And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man. Not that I truly understood the entire verse, but I loved that the verse has the word increase in it. And being at the time, the same age as Jesus, I truly believed in kid power and doing what I could to make a difference in my life as I tried to figure it out. I loved the idea that even though his parents misplaced Him, He was not lost at all; He was at home with God, and even for a 12 year-old sounded like a good place in which to be. I have to admit that I thought that as He increased in wisdom, He was also bulking up, for I thought stature meant build; it also says that He was increasing in His favor with God and with humanity.
Every year, His family traveled to Jerusalem for the Passover festival. When Jesus was twelve, they went, as usual, but this time something remarkable happened: after the festival, His parents left, unaware that Jesus stayed behind. It took them a full day’s journey before they realized He was missing. They returned to Jerusalem and, after three days, found Him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening, and asking questions.
The scene is striking in many ways. The boy Jesus, though only twelve, displayed an extraordinary depth of understanding, amazing the scholars around Him. But perhaps even more remarkable is how He responded to His parents when they found Him. He said, “Why were you searching for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” (Luke 2:49, NRSV).
This moment in the temple offers a snapshot of Jesus’ divine identity and mission. As a child, He is already aware of His unique relationship with God the Father. Even at twelve, He is beginning to understand His purpose. His response to Mary and Joseph reveals that He is not merely a child of their household but also the Son of God, called to be in His Father’s house and about His Father’s business. Jesus’ wisdom and understanding were not limited to His human experience but pointed to His divine nature. However, despite His profound wisdom, Jesus is not rebuking His parents. Rather, He is teaching them that there is a larger, divine purpose at work in His life—one that they may not yet fully comprehend. This shows us a balance between Jesus’ humanity and divinity: He is growing, learning, and maturing, just as any child would. Yet, there is something unique about His growth. He is being prepared for a mission that will change the world.
Jesus' time in the temple teaches us several important lessons. First, it reminds us that even as we grow older, there is always more to learn about God. Jesus was already teaching the teachers, but He was also learning and growing in wisdom. We, too, are called to grow in wisdom and understanding—not just in knowledge but in relationship with God. Second, like Jesus, we are to be intentional in seeking God’s will. Jesus knew He had to be in His Father’s house, focusing on His heavenly calling, even if it was beyond His parents' understanding. How often do we, like Mary and Joseph, get caught up in our own plans and fail to see what God is doing in our lives?
Finally, Jesus’ obedience to His parents, even though He knew His true identity and mission, offers a powerful example of humility. He returned with them to Nazareth and “was obedient to them” (Luke 2:51, NRSV). Despite His divine mission, He submitted to His earthly parents, honoring them in the way that God desires all children to honor their parents.
We are called to follow the example of Jesus—to grow in wisdom, to be in relationship with God, to seek His will, and to remain obedient to those who care for us. As we journey through life, let us never stop seeking God’s wisdom and understanding, for He has much to reveal to those who seek Him with an open heart.
Let us remember that growth is not just a physical process but a spiritual one. May we, like Jesus, grow in favor with God and others, continually learning and maturing in Christ.
PRAYER: Loving God, We thank You for the example of Jesus, who grew in wisdom and understanding, and for the reminder that we, too, are called to seek You diligently and grow in our relationship with You. We pray for hearts that are open to learning, for the wisdom to seek Your will, and for the humility to walk in obedience to Your plan for our lives. Help us to remember that growth in You is not just about knowledge but about living out Your truth and reflecting Your love in all we do. May we, like Jesus, grow in favor with You and with those around us.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! YOUR CALL TO ACTION: This week, take time to reflect on areas where God is calling you to grow in wisdom and understanding. Are there specific ways He wants you to seek His presence more intentionally? Are there relationships or areas in your life where you are being called to humility and obedience? Commit to seeking God’s guidance, whether through prayer, reading Scripture, or engaging in fellowship with others. And remember, growth in Christ is a lifelong journey that requires patience, humility, and trust in His perfect timing.
I love you and I thank God for you!
Pastor Eradio Valverde, Jr.
