Jesus and The Family Trip

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 according to custom; 43 and when the feast was ended, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents did not know it, 44 but supposing him to be in the company they went a day's journey, and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintances; 45 and when they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem, seeking 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 And when they saw him they were astonished; and his mother said to him, "Son, why have you treated us so? Behold, your father and I have been looking for you anxiously." 49 And he said to them, "How is it that you sought me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?" 50 And they did not understand the saying which he spoke to them. 51 And he went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them; and his mother kept all these things in her heart. 52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature, and in favor with God and man. (NRSV)

If Joseph had been my father, he would have walked into Jesus' room and said, "Get ready, pack up, we're goin on a trip." Jesus might have asked, "Where are we going?" Joseph: "Where did I say we were going?" Jesus: "How many days, then?" But he wasn't. This was an annual trip from their hometown to Jerusalem for the festival of Passover. This was the holiest of holidays for them in those days and a trip like this was a big deal. It was a journey traveled mostly on foot, usually with most members of the town or village that could afford to go. It was not an easy journey, but for a boy, it was an adventure. It meant a time of exploring, a time with friends, nights by the fire with the old folks listening to stories, and finally getting a chance to see the Temple again. It was a tourist's dream vacation. The festival celebrated God's action of liberation from slavery in Egypt and freedom for the Jews. It started the Exodus and it was an important day in their history and in their faith. The pilgrims would arrive about a week before the actual festival and would enjoy all that the big city of Jerusalem had to offer. For Jesus what it offered was a time in the Temple with the teachers of the Law. It was this that would get him in trouble with His parents.

The festival was over and the journey home started. The parents assumed that Jesus was with the usual crowd of friends and off they went a day's journey. As they are bedding down for the night, they assume Jesus would come, hungry, to eat with them. No Jesus. The parents look for Him among their relatives and friends. "Is Jesus with you?" No, came back the answer. They thought to return back to Jerusalem. Now, at this point I, and my wife, would be frantic. No child of any parent should go missing. This day without Jesus and the day it must have taken to return back were hectic hours for Mary and Joseph. They searched that first day in Jerusalem for Jesus, then a second, and it wasn't until the third day that they found Jesus in the Temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. Verse 47 says, "And all who heard Him were amazed at His understanding and His answers." I suppose this was enough for Joe and Mary, but Lalo would have taken me outside, and I'll let your imagination guess as to what was next; had I been the missing Jesus... But Joseph and Mary were "astonished," but still Mary asked, "Child, why have you treated us like this? Look, your father and I have been searching for you in great anxiety." Part of me says Jesus knew this. But the compassionate side says Jesus was too preoccupied with what was before him that he thought mostly about God and God's teachings. For your modern parents, it's like leaving your child in the Game Stop with a store full of their favorite games. You think they'd be thinking about you??

Jesus replies to Mary, "Why were you searching for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?" (v. 49). The trip home continues and verse 52 for me as a child was one I had memorized and treasured as well, "And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature in favor with both God and men." (King James Version).

I believe Joseph and Mary did their very best in raising Jesus. They were both good teachers of God's Word, but that which they may have not known, Jesus picked up on this trip to Jerusalem with the private audience and lesson he had from the greatest theological minds of His day. He was free to ask that which He would need later as He taught the people as God had taught Him. It was all a part of His preparation for His earthly ministry.

You and I have been taught either in Sunday school or through experience, the teachings and truths about God and God's love. How we use them later in life to bless others or to help ourselves is the big question. We should be committed to learning as much as we can without worry about when or how what we learn will be applied. God's Word will always bless us. It might not be this minute, but the minute will soon arrive and we will know and we will be blessed.

PRAYER: Loving God, thank You for the teachers we have had in our lives. Thank Your for loving and caring parents who have sought to teach us Your ways. May we seek ways to reach those who have not yet heard nor learned about Your love. We pray especially for children who have not yet darkened the Sunday school door. Help us reach them before it becomes too late. We pray this in Jesus' precious name, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!

Eradio Valverde