Growing Up is Hard to Do

Welcome back! 

Look around and you will see Jesus is in Jerusalem with his parents at the feast of the passover. According to Luke 2:41-52, he is now 12-years-old and growing up quickly. This feast was celebrated for a week to remember God’s goodness in liberating the ancient Israelites from being Egyptian slaves. God had Moses and his people sacrifice a spotless lamb (foretelling of Jesus’ crucifixion) and put its blood across the doorposts of their homes before the tenth and final plague occurred, in which the firstborn males of every household were going to be killed. In Exodus 12:23, the Israelites were told, “When the LORD goes through the land to strike down the Egyptians, he will see the blood on the top and sides of the doorframe and will pass over that doorway, and He will not permit the destroyer to enter your houses and strike you down.” All of the Israelites’ sons survived. The Egyptians’ firstborn males did not, and Pharaoh had enough and told God’s people to leave. You can continue to read this story in Exodus and see God’s powerful miracle at the Red Sea.

Let’s get back to Jesus. Although He isn’t a Levite, He is later regarded as a rabbi. He most likely studied and memorized the Torah, which are the first five books of the Bible: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. We see evidence of this when Jesus stays behind in Jerusalem. I digress to say that this story has always bothered me. Joseph and Mary traveled a day with their extended family and friends before they realized that Jesus was missing. I get that back then 12-year-old boys were more independent and ready to transition into adulthood in ancient Israel. The parents trust that their son would be hanging out with someone else within their group and heading home. What I’m curious about is why didn’t Jesus stay with His family? He had seven days to talk with people in Jerusalem during the festival. We know Jesus didn’t sin, but He had to have known his absence would worry His earthly parents. This is my own quirk, and I will ask Him about it in Heaven someday.

After three days Joseph and Mary “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” (Luke 2:46-47). Needless to say, His parents are surprised, and ask Him about His behavior, and tell him that they have been anxiously searching for Him.

Jesus responds, “Why were you searching for me?...Didn’t you know that I had to be in my Father’s house?” (Luke 2:49). This answer confuses His parents, but His mom treasures this experience in her heart. 

Can you imagine losing your son for three days? I would have police, Search and Rescue, and all of my loved ones looking for him. Plus, I would have a picture of him all over the internet. When I do find him, I hope there is a good explanation. I would be shocked to learn that our son will have been spending the last three days talking about God with the elite religious members of society. I think my anger would eventually subside and transform into awe and thankfulness that God has given me such an intelligent and special son. 

Luke continues to inform us that Jesus “went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them…And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man” (Luke 2:51-52).

Now that we know what Jesus has been up to, what is happening with His future Disciples? I assume they are little boys and hearing stories about God from their families. Some of them may be learning how to read and write. Although, some will be illiterate and memorize Scriptures verbally. I picture their days filled with working, learning, and playing with their families and any animals they may own. Hopefully, they feel they are loved and part of a community that looks out for each other.

What was your childhood like? Did you know you were loved? Did you get to giggle, play, and learn safely in your family? Were you usually obedient, or was testing the boundaries a hobby for you? Did you have a big extended family that celebrated holidays and traditions together? 

Or, did you feel lonely, unwanted, and desperately waiting for a Savior you didn’t know existed? Was your home quiet or the opposite with chaos and violence? 

I picture the Disciples growing up in loving homes with big families, while learning their fathers’ trades. They may have been taught to be quiet and not question authority. Their families were challenged with poverty, high taxes, and an unstable and anti-God Roman government who oppressed people with violence. Slavery and crucifixions were public and common. 

There are many differences today, yet we experience similar emotions as the Disciples. While we let these boys continue to grow, let’s use this month of February to imagine what it would have been like to grow up as a future Disciple of Jesus.

May the groundhog have good news today. While much of our nation is being hit with a severe winter, we are having one of our most mild winters in the Central Coast of California. We are praying for those who are enduring the intense weather. 

Until we meet again, I wish you a wonderful Valentine’s Day. Whether or not you have a special human to share life with, Jesus will always be your priceless Valentine every day of the year. If you didn’t know that, try to look for Him and all of His blessings for you. He is excited to spend any moment He can with you, and His love is unconditional.