We pick up the story from my blog post at Luke 2: 41-52. This is the story of young Jesus, age 12, getting lost. As a parent, I remember losing our David when he was just two. We were in a Zellers. David was big enough to want to be down and running and that was what he did. I turned around and he was gone in three seconds. My story of losing my two year old is very different from the Bible story and yet the feelings of loss, the fear, the guilt is the same.
Below I have printed the story I wrote about this scripture passage. It’s found with many other of my Biblically based stories in my book “Breakthrough Moments”. Please read my story and post your responses to the story and to the scripture passage. Thanks so much.
A FAMILY JOURNEY
Parenting Is Mirroring God’s Love
My name is Hannah. Isaac and I were Mary and Joseph’s
neighbours in Nazareth. We became family friends, sharing life’s
joys and trials. My story tells of a Passover pilgrimage we made
as two families, together with a whole group of families from
Nazareth.
Our Jewish custom requires all adult males to celebrate
Passover at the temple in Jerusalem, if at all possible. Joseph and
Isaac often made the trip. This particular year we decided as a
group for our entire families to make the trip.
The journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem took close to five
days. We chose to travel in a caravan for safety. At night, we
exchanged stories and had great discussions around the campfire.
The older children, like Jesus and my Abram, spent the days
walking together. Some days, we only caught glimpses of them
striding out at the front of our group. We didn’t worry. We knew
they would appear at suppertime and help put up the tents for the
night.
Our six days in Jerusalem were magical. We visited with
relatives, saw the sights and spent time at the temple. Both Abram
and Jesus sat and listened to the priests give the daily lesson. At
our nightly campfires, Jesus asked so many questions.
“There is worry, disappointment, even anger at the temple,”
he said. “Why aren’t the people happy who visit in God’s house?
Why do the people call the money changers cheats?”
Joseph was so patient. He listened carefully to every
question and did his best to answer. I remember Joseph saying,
“It’s how we make our living that’s important. We need to charge
enough for our wares, and yet not be greedy. Greed hurts both
others and us.”
You’re so right, Joseph, I thought.
When the Passover celebration was over and we had packed
up for home, everyone was exhausted. The children were cranky.
We had had a good time, but we were ready to leave.
That first day out we didn’t see the boys at all. We assumed
they were back with the animals or walking with a different
family group. The four of us were too busy with our tired little
ones to worry about our big boys. After all, they were twelve,
almost grown up. When we set up camp for the night, only Abram
appeared.
“Where’s Jesus?” Mary asked.
Abram just shrugged his shoulders. “Haven’t seen him all
day,” he said.
Both Mary and Joseph stopped what they were doing. “Say
that again, please,” Joseph said.
“Haven’t seen him all day. Thought he was with you. I’ll go
check with our friends.”
Abram returned a short time later, shaking his head.
“Nobody’s seen Jesus since we left Jerusalem. John said he saw
Jesus walking by himself toward the city gates. He thought Jesus
was on an errand for something.
Mary shook her head. “No, of course not. We wouldn’t send
him into the city by himself.”
“I’ll check at every campfire,” Joseph said. “We know how
Jesus can get lost in conversation with someone.”
Joseph disappeared into the gathering twilight. Isaac,
Abram, Mary and I continued setting up camp as we worried.
When Joseph returned, his forehead was creased, his face drawn.
“Young John said he saw Jesus heading toward the city early this
morning. It’s not like our Jesus to leave without telling us.”
“We’ll have to go back,” Mary said as she started packing
things back up.
Joseph shook his head. “At night the trail is alive with
bandits. We won’t help Jesus if we’re attacked. Tonight, we plan.
We’ll leave at first light. Let’s get some others to help with the
search.”
Several men volunteered. Mary refused to stay behind. I
asked friends to care for our children so I could accompany Mary.
Even though it felt like we ran all the way to the city gates,
it still took us most of the day to return to Jerusalem. We had time
before dark to check in with relatives and share our fears. Early
on the next morning, we split up, agreeing to meet at the outer
Temple Court by late afternoon. Joseph, Mary, Isaac and I
checked with all their relatives in the city. No one had seen Jesus.
By the time the four of us arrived at the temple, we were
terrified. What had happened to him? We stepped into the inner
courtyard. There he was, surrounded by a group of temple priests.
He was asking questions, and they were answering.
Seeing us, one of the priests rose and came over. “Which of
you is Jesus’ parents?” Joseph and Mary bowed and nodded.
“Your son thinks way beyond his years. His questions have
made us think and work hard to express what we believe. He
listens and interprets. He keeps our discussion going. Never have
we met such a brilliant and faithful young boy. You must be so
proud.”
I watched the emotions march across Mary and Joseph’s
faces as that priest talked. First relief and love, then pride, and
then anger. Yes, anger. After all, Jesus knew better than to
wander off, saying nothing to his parents. As soon as the priest
stopped talking, Mary rushed over to Jesus.
“Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I
have been anxiously searching for you.”
“Why were you searching for me?” he replied. “Didn’t you
know I had to be in my Father’s house?”
I don’t know about you, but if Jesus had been my son, at that
point, I would have given him a tongue lashing. After all, he
knew he had done something, not just foolish, but uncaring. And
then his answer, his answer…. Where was the respect for his
parents?
I saw Joseph reach out and place his hand on Mary’s arm. It
was as if he was saying, “I’ll deal with him.” Mary nodded and
backed away. Joseph spoke quietly to Jesus. I didn’t hear what
he said. Jesus turned to the priests and thanked them graciously.
Then he gave his mother a hug. I didn’t hear what he said then
either. I only know that on the way home Jesus and Joseph spent
a lot of time in quiet conversation.
Abram told me Jesus hadn’t meant to be disrespectful or
uncaring. He felt awful about causing so much worry.
Jesus stayed quiet and helpful on the way home, but then,
that was Jesus.
After we reached home, Mary told me, “Jesus said he was
sorry. Joseph had helped Jesus to understand that what he had
done was wrong. Jesus said the temple was awesome. His
conversation with the priests taught him so much.”
I heard the pride and love in Mary’s voice. I remembered the
story of the angel speaking of God’s special plans for Jesus to
both Mary and Joseph. Personally, I believe that choosing Mary
and Joseph for Jesus’ parents was a sign of God’s wisdom. Their
patience and wisdom as parents far exceeded mine.
Prayer: Loving God, being a parent is a great responsibility. As
a parent, help me to be patient, respectful, and loving. When my
children ask questions, give me courage and wisdom to answer
them. When my children make mistakes, give me patience and
respect. Help me to give them space to experience the
consequences of their actions. May I model your forgiveness and
love. Amen
Questions for Discussion:
1. What does this story tell us about Jesus?
2. Have you ever lost your child? How did it feel? What did you
do when the child was found?
3. Jesus chose to go back to the temple. In Jesus’ time children
were not usually given a voice. The priests answered Jesus’
questions and listened to his thoughts. In today’s society,
some children do have a voice, others do not. Which children
and adults have been silenced? What wisdom have we lost
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