Boy In the Temple—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. 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. 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. 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.
When I was a kid I loved hiding inside racks of clothing whenever my mom took me shopping at department stores. Now I realize what a terrible thing I was doing to my mother— but at the time I was off an an adventure and I couldn’t understand why it was a problem. Whenever my mom couldn’t find me I’d get to hear my name announced on the loudspeaker and I’d know it was time to end my exploration. And I never understood her fear or frustration, because even though my mom thought I was lost, I wasn’t. I knew exactly where I was. This week’s text gives us a wonderful story of Jesus ending up separated from his parents. But when they finally find him, he insists that he wasn’t lost, his parents just didn’t know where to look (despite the fact that it should have been obvious). And this text offers the chance for us to empathize with Mary and Joseph about the impossible task before them as they seek to raise the Messiah. But it also presents an opportunity to ask ourselves how often we think Jesus is missing because we’re looking for him in the wrong places. I think you can put together an entire sermon exploring where we tend to look for Jesus, versus where we can actually expect to find him. And I think it can be presented in such a way that it’s good news for those who are struggling to hear or see him clearly. Because so often, when we’re discouraged or disillusioned, Jesus is not lost or hiding, he’s just waiting for us to show up where he actually needs us to be.
A.W. REGETS 
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