Epiphany Sunday
December 31,2006

 

 

 

Scripture

Luke 2:41-52

41 Now every year his parents went to Jerusalem for the festival of the Passover. 42 And when he was twelve years old, they went up as usual for the festival. 43 When the festival was ended and they started to return, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but his parents did not know it. 44 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. 45 When they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem to search for him. 46 After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. 47 And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. 48 When his parents a saw him they were astonished; and his mother said to him, “Child, why have you treated us like this? Look, your father and I have been searching for you in great anxiety.” 49 He said to them, “Why were you searching for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” 50 But they did not understand what he said to them. 51 Then he went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them. His mother treasured all these things in her heart.

52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and in years, and in divine and human favor.

 

 

Devotional

Jesus is left behind in the temple. Jesus’ parentstravel one day before realizing he was not present. I am sure this group of people they were traveling with did not include Jesus’ grandparents. Granny would never leave a grandson behind. Our grandsons, Ben and Brian play soccer on Central High School team. When we attend out of town games, I see Joy watching to see that they are on the team bus. I believe she has an understanding with the driver that he will not leave them in a strange town. She is even concerned how they will get home after the bus arrives in town.

Mary and Joseph search for three days for Jesus, but their reactions differ when they find him. They exhibit a mixture of grief and relief at the same time. “Why have you treated us like this?” Jesus accepts no responsibility because he has been busy with God’s work.

What is your reaction to finding Jesus who you thought you had lost?

Mary and Joseph had taken Jesus for granted, thinking he was with the group. How often do we take Jesus for granted? Believing his is in the place we think is correct for him, only to have Jesus surprise us.

Jesus increased in wisdom and years. Growing in wisdom and stature means to explore new images of God, Christ, and Holy Spirit. Growing in faith is not automatic but requires going to the “temple” regularly to ask, listen, and share. John Cobb refers to this integration as “creative transformation”.

Sometime we need to return to Jerusalem just as Mary and Joseph returns looking for Jesus. Often the only place we have o search for Jesus is in the temple.

Prayer: Lord often we take you for granted and do not see you in our busy life. Help us to return to the temple when we need to be there.