This week we explore a story only told in Luke, and rarely heard in church. It is one of three gospel options this Sunday, along with the tale of the magi, which seems more central to Epiphany themes; and the story of Jesus and his parents fleeing to Egypt to escape King Herod’s murderous paranoia – parallels with modern families fleeing murderers and despots is too poignant for many to pass up. But this year I’m choosing this odd little tale about a pre-teen Jesus ducking his parents during a trip to Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover.
When the festival was ended and they started to return, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but his parents did not know it. Assuming that he was in the group of travelers, they went a day's journey. Then they started to look for him among their relatives and friends. When they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem to search for him.
The story gives us our only glimpse into Jesus’ growing up years, embedded in a family and a community so tight knit, everyone looked after each other's children. One can easily see how Mary and Joseph, perhaps focused on their younger kids, could assume their twelve-year-old was safe with friends. Imagine the panic when they discover he is not among the party, the terror with which they retrace a whole day's journey to search for him in Jerusalem, perhaps remembering those years exiled in Egypt to keep him safe. Was he still in danger?
I’ve never noticed the “duh-duh-duh-dom” foreshadowing in the story – in Jerusalem for the Passover, the three-day wait before he is found. And when found, he is in the temple, holding his own with the teachers and interpreters of the Law, in a kind of self-initiated bar mitzvah, already causing a stir:
After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers.
His parents have an earthier response: "How could you? How could you treat us this way? How could you not care about the worry you’ve caused?" Jesus’ reply shows his priorities have already shifted out of that Galilean wood shop and kitchen; that he has glimpsed his true identity and calling:
He said to them, "Why were you searching for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?"
Was this one of the times “a sword pierced” Mary’s heart? How did Joseph feel, hearing his eldest so coolly relegate him to second chair? Imagine the silences on that journey home, the distances now emerging between them. But doesn’t that happen with all twelve-year-olds? This story, with Jesus’ divinity beginning to be revealed, also shows us his full humanity in all its adolescent grandeur. “Come on, Mom and Dad, get a clue!”
Each of us can find her or his way into this story, one angle or another. All of us can relate to the question, “Where is Jesus?” We all go through times when he seems lost to us, or we wonder if he was ever real or ever will be again. It is for those times especially that we need to tell our God stories, and hear those of other people, and read about the power people have experienced in Jesus. Tell about your answered prayers and realizations and epiphanies - and hopes.
And remember, he’s rarely to be found in the last place we saw him. He’s always ahead of us on the road, waiting for us to catch up.
His parents have an earthier response: "How could you? How could you treat us this way? How could you not care about the worry you’ve caused?" Jesus’ reply shows his priorities have already shifted out of that Galilean wood shop and kitchen; that he has glimpsed his true identity and calling:
He said to them, "Why were you searching for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?"
Was this one of the times “a sword pierced” Mary’s heart? How did Joseph feel, hearing his eldest so coolly relegate him to second chair? Imagine the silences on that journey home, the distances now emerging between them. But doesn’t that happen with all twelve-year-olds? This story, with Jesus’ divinity beginning to be revealed, also shows us his full humanity in all its adolescent grandeur. “Come on, Mom and Dad, get a clue!”
Each of us can find her or his way into this story, one angle or another. All of us can relate to the question, “Where is Jesus?” We all go through times when he seems lost to us, or we wonder if he was ever real or ever will be again. It is for those times especially that we need to tell our God stories, and hear those of other people, and read about the power people have experienced in Jesus. Tell about your answered prayers and realizations and epiphanies - and hopes.
And remember, he’s rarely to be found in the last place we saw him. He’s always ahead of us on the road, waiting for us to catch up.
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