12 YEARS OLD
We all know the story: When Jesus was 12 years old and his parents found him in the temple “…about his father’s business.” Yet for all the times I have read it, this time two things stood out to me this morning as I read it again, and I’d like to share them with you.
First, this was not a one time trip. The family made this journey every year - they went to Jerusalem for the Feast of the Passover. No wonder Mary and Joseph were not concerned at first. They thought he was with family – safe and sound as usual. I have often wondered how they could have lost track of their first born son away from home. I was reminded that this was not a short little trip, and there were others traveling with the “holy family”.
Second, he was missing for 3 days. They looked high and low for him, but they could not find him. 3 days. Sound familiar? Jesus at 12 years old could not be found anywhere because he was carrying out his Father’s business – teaching the truth. Jesus in the grave was ‘gone’ for three days… carrying out his Father’s business – preaching to those who were imprisoned. Everything about the life of Jesus reflected who he was and what he would do. He himself spoke to Nicodemus, saying “… as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: 15That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.” (John 3:14-15).
Yes, Jesus knew from the start why he was sent to earth. Every action he took was a step toward fulfilling the will of God. The prophets knew, and they spoke of him as the coming salvation of the Jews. John knew, and he gladly stepped aside when Jesus came on the scene. In John 3 he said of Jesus, “this my joy therefore is fulfilled. He must increase, but I must decrease.” And today, we know it, too. All we have to do is look back at the numerous witnesses who tell us (and all those after us):
First, this was not a one time trip. The family made this journey every year -
Second, he was missing for 3 days. They looked high and low for him, but they could not find him. 3 days. Sound familiar? Jesus at 12 years old could not be found anywhere because he was carrying out his Father’s business – teaching the truth. Jesus in the grave was ‘gone’ for three days… carrying out his Father’s business – preaching to those who were imprisoned. Everything about the life of Jesus reflected who he was and what he would do. He himself spoke to Nicodemus, saying “… as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: 15That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.” (John 3:14-
Yes, Jesus knew from the start why he was sent to earth. Every action he took was a step toward fulfilling the will of God. The prophets knew, and they spoke of him as the coming salvation of the Jews. John knew, and he gladly stepped aside when Jesus came on the scene. In John 3 he said of Jesus, “this my joy therefore is fulfilled. He must increase, but I must decrease.” And today, we know it, too. All we have to do is look back at the numerous witnesses who tell us (and all those after us):
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.”
(John 3:16, 17)
(John 3:16, 17)