Luke 2:39-52 records that Jesus went with his parents to Jerusalem when he was twelve years old to celebrate the passover. After the celebration was over, his parents started to go back home, assuming that Jesus was with some other kinsfolk and acquaintances, but Jesus had stayed behind in Jerusalem. They return to Jerusalem searching frantically for Jesus, thinking He was lost and after three days, they find Him in the temple, engaged in conversation with the learned doctors (religious teachers). Mary, his mother in fact questions Jesus, in her anxiety, asking “Son. why have you thus dealt with us? Behold, your father and I have sought you sorrowing.” In other words, she was asking “How can you stay behind? We had to search for you frantically thinking that you were lost.” Jesus replied, “Did you not know that I must be about my Father’s (God’s) business?” but they understood Him not.
Recently, when our beloved five year old son, Reuben, was narrating this story to my wife Sangeetha and me, he expressed that, Jesus’ parents, were looking for Jesus for Jesus because they were lost. Sangeetha corrected him, but saying that, Jesus’ parents were looking for Jesus because he was lost. But Reuben kept saying that the parents of Jesus were lost and as I questioned, “they were lost”, I realized that there was a hidden truth in what Reuben was expressing to us. Jesus Christ, the Good Shepherd who searches for all who are lost without hope was indeed not lost at all. He was just where He needed to be; in the temple of God. His parents who searched for Him were the ones who were lost because they were not with Jesus.
We who believe in Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, are the temple of God, for the Spirit of God dwelleth in us (1 Corinthians 3:16). Today, there are many without hope, who are lost, who are frantically searching for Jesus. When they encounter us, will they have to continue searching for Jesus as they cannot find Him in us, thinking that He is lost or will they find Jesus in us, going about His Father’s (God’s) business?
Reuben’s video is linked in the comments section of this article. Enjoy!
Luke 2:39-52 (KJV)
39 And when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city Nazareth.
40 And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.
41 Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the passover.
42 And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast.
43 And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it.
44 But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day’s journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance.
45 And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him.
46 And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions.
47 And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers.
48 And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing.
49 And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father’s business?
50 And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them.
51 And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart.
52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.
1 Corinthians 3:16 (KJV)
16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?
