I’m On My Mission
Child prodigies are amazing in what they are able to grasp and master in a subject at an extraordinarily young age. Our job as parents is to pay attention to and nurture our children’s gifts and calling, in addition to training and guiding them in their overall development. In Luke 2:41–52, Jesus’ parents get further confirmation that Jesus’ mission is to focus on and carry out His Father’s plan of salvation. I pray that we will be attentive to our calling and the gifts that God has given us to fulfill His purpose in our lives. Amen
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.” (Luke 2:41-48)
It was Joseph and Mary’s custom to travel to Jerusalem to observe the annual Feast of the Passover. Because travel to and from Jerusalem for the annual Passover celebration involved large groups of people, traveling together with relatives and neighbors all mingling together, Jesus’ parents didn’t notice Him missing until they had gone a day’s journey. Only then did they realize that He was not with them and likely still in Jerusalem. Even after a days journey back to Jerusalem, it was not until the third day that they found Him. And when they did find Him, they saw him in the temple court questioning the teachers. Despite knowing who Jesus was, His parents were astonished that He had stayed behind and was more interested in what He was doing at the temple than He was in his parents anxiety over His whereabouts and His safety.
“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. (Luke 2:49-50)
As astonished as Jesus’ parents were at His disregard for their concern and they were also astonished by His ability and the importance he placed on his Father’s business. As much as they didn’t understand His lack of concern for their anxiety about His absence, Jesus didn’t understand why their primary concern didn’t align with His and why they didn’t appreciate the primacy of His mission.
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. (Luke 2:51-52)
While Jesus understood his primary mission, he did not forsake his obedience to his earthly parents. As he was still an adolescent (only 12 years old), he was subject to the authority of his parents and he acted accordingly. His mother treasure all this in her heart. Surely they were tucked away in her heart with other amazing events she had witnessed in Jesus’ young life (see Luke 2:8-19 and 2:25-39). The text points out that Jesus continued to grow intellectually, physically and spiritually, thus gaining favor with God and man. We would do well Jesus to follow Jesus’ example by continuing to grow, especially spiritually and in the knowledge, understanding and favor of God.
Jesus understood His mission. And He challenges us to understand and fulfill the mission God has given us to fulfill. He has given us everything that we need to accomplish His purpose for us. When we pursue it in faith and obedience, there will be some who will be amazed and astonished at what we accomplish for His glory. Jesus understood His mission…. Do you understand yours? If not, ask God for clarity and guidance. Then go about doing your Father’s business. And if you’re ever looking for me ….. just know that I’m on my mission for my Father!
Blessings,
Rev. Glenn
“Why were you searching for me?” he asked. “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?” ~ Luke 2:49
