July 25 There He Is

Luke 2:43 After the Feast was over, while his parents were returning home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but they were unaware of it. 44 Thinking he was in their company, they traveled on for a day. Then they began looking for him among their relatives and friends. 45 When they did not find him, they went back to Jerusalem to look for him. 46 After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions.
 
FROM our 21st-century view in America (I’m not sure how you in Africa would find this.), we would find Joseph and Mary guilty of negligence regarding their son. In the three days Jesus was absent from his parents, we can assume Mary and Joseph traveled one day from Jerusalem, discovered him missing, traveled one day back and found him on the third day. How could they travel for a day and not know he was absent? Is this some episode of “Home Alone”?
    To gain an accurate understanding of the Bible, we must learn about the culture of the event, or narrative, we are studying. People then often traveled in caravans for safety from robbers. A caravan was a traveling community. Children of various families could easily mingle together. Mary and Joseph would assume their 12-year-old son was with friends.
     Jesus’ age is also important to consider for that culture. Twelve-year-old boys, believe it or not, were on the edge of adulthood. They were expected to assume much responsibility. Likely, Jesus was given free rein to go about his own business in the city. It was also common for many of the brightest boys to be in training for the understanding of the Torah – the Law of Moses – and the prophets’ teachings. Jesus was probably not the only boy at the temple to ask questions and to learn. Surely our Lord was coming into the age where he fully understood his identity and his purpose.  He is absorbed with the teachings of the Word because he is the Living Word.
     Luke records this event to help us understand a pivotal moment in Jesus’ life as a human. He was faithful to go with his earthly parents to the feast. He was also faithful to attend to his heavenly Father’s business in the temple. We must live in such a way as our Lord demonstrated here. Be faithful to family matters. Be faithful to the Lord’s matters. If you are, your children, your parents, your friends and your church will know where to find you.
 
Prayer: Thank you, Jesus, you are where I can find you. Amen.