Thursday, March 13th

The Bible tells us very little about Jesus’ childhood. I sometimes wonder what He was like as a little boy. Was he tranquil or hyperactive? What were some of his favorite hobbies? How did he interact with other children? We really don’t know. What we do know is that in spite of being the Son of God, Jesus in many ways was like all other children…not able to take care of himself, protect himself or even feed himself. And like all other children, Jesus too had to grow up, mature and eventually learn who He was. You see, the all-knowing God came to this world as a child knowing nothing. Jesus, the word made flesh didn’t even know how to speak the Hebrew language. Therefore as a child he would have to depend on his parents for care and protection. But at some time He would have to grow into his responsibility of being Jesus, the savior of the world, Immanuel “God with us”.

It’s often said that to know where you’re going you first must know where you came from. If that is true then it is also true that before you know who you are you must both know where you came from and where you’re going. That is precisely what we find Jesus doing in today’s Bible reading. We find Him in the temple sitting amongst the teachers of the Word of God, listening to them and asking them questions. I believe that through the testimony of His parents and through the learning of God’s word, Jesus discovered where He came from and where He was going. And through the learning of where He came from and where He was going, Jesus eventually grew up and discovered who he was.

Do you know who you are? Do you know where you came from and where you’re going? I’m not simply talking about coming from God and going to heaven. I mean like Jesus, do you know who you’re supposed to be and what you’re supposed to do in this life? Maybe it’s time to do like Jesus did. Maybe it’s time to listen and ask.

Bible reading
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.

Heavenly Father, I recognize that if Jesus needed to ask and listen to discover His identity and purpose, then so should I. Help me to prioritize my time to ask and to listen.