Wednesday, January 03, 2018

 

I wonder at times, what Jesus was like as a little boy. Was he tranquil or hyperactive? Did he have a favorite hobby? How did he interact with other children? The answer to these questions is, we really do not know. What we do know is in spite of him being the Son of God; Jesus in many ways was like any other child. He was not able to take care of himself, protect himself, or even feed himself. And, just like all children, Jesus had to grow up, mature, and eventually learn his purpose in life. As you can see, the all-knowing God came to this world as a child, knowing nothing. Like you and I, Jesus had to depend on his parents to take care of him. In spite of all this, he eventually grew to fulfill his purpose of becoming the savior of the world, Immanuel, God with us.

 

Luke 2:41-47

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.

 

It is often said, in order to know where you are going, you must first know where you came from. This is precisely what Jesus is doing in today’s Bible passage. We see Jesus in the temple interacting with the teachers of the word of God, he is listening, and asking questions in order to discover his purpose in life. Do you know what your purpose is? Do you know where you came from and where you are going? I am not simply talking about coming from God or going to heaven. I mean like Jesus. Do you know who you are supposed to be and what you are supposed to be doing? Perhaps like Jesus, it is time for you to listen and ask.