2:41 Now every year his parents went to Jerusalem for the festival
of the Passover.
2:42 And when he was twelve years old, they went up as usual for the
festival.
2:43 When the festival was ended and they started to return, the boy
Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but his parents did not know it.
2:44 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.
2:45 When they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem to
search for him.
2:46 After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among
the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions.
2:47 And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his
answers.
2:48 When his parents 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."
2:49 He said to them, "Why were you searching for me? Did you not
know that I must be in my Father's house?"
2:50 But they did not understand what he said to them.
2:51 Then he went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was
obedient to them. His mother treasured all these things in her
heart.
2:52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and in years, and in divine and
human favor.
Comments:
Child,who is your father? Those that are born of the flesh have one
father. Those that are born of the spirit, have another. yet, we owe
alegience to both.
Jesus grew up in a family that went to the Passover festival each
year. Their faithful adherence to the law provided a healthy
environment for the young Jesus to grow into spiritual maturity.
Today's lessons make this a "children's day." Samuel and Jesus are
the children. What we learn from them can help us in being children
again, children of God.
"The boy Samuel continued to grow both in stature and in favor with
the Lord and with the people" (I Sam 2.26). "Jesus increased in
wisdom and in years, and in divine and human favor" (Lk 2.52).
That's more than assimilating food and letting metabolism do the
rest. They had to do things that God and fellow humans favored. So
it is with us as well, including those who have completed our
growing up. Just as some of us are still growing out and putting on
weight, so we need as well to be putting on virtues that God favors.
Samuel grew in favor, Jesus got into trouble. Not bad
trouble--really more of a miscommunication based on a lack of
understanding on Mary and Joseph's part. Mary had complained, "Your
father and I...great anxiety!" He said, "My Father's house--this
house--My Father, not this father." Joseph didn't seem to feel hurt.
He, and Mary, just did not understand.
To be the children of God we need to know our Father, which is why
it is so great that our Father has introduced himself to us and made
us part of the family. After Jesus' rebuke to his parents, he went
down to Nazareth "and was obedient to them." Now it is our turn to
obey.
Samuel and Jesus, Hannah and Elkanah, Eli, Mary and Joseph--they
were, and now we are, "God's chosen ones, holy and beloved."
One of children's first accomplishments is to put on their own
clothes. Paul tells the Colossians and us to clothe ourselves "with
compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience...Above all,
clothe yourselves with love" (Col 3.12, 14).
Put on the new nature. It fits best at Christmastime.
Jesus is in the temple, "listening and asking questions" (2.46) with
the teachers. Like any adolescent, Jesus is anxious to assert his
independence and carve out his own identity, apart from his family
and friends. Preoccupied by the intriguing conversation, he
apparently forgets to leave with his family. His parents have not
been able to find him among their friends and relatives as they
journeyed home after the Passover. Finally, Mary and Joseph return
to Jerusalem to discover him discussing with the temple teacher and
amazing all who heard him.
Luke is the only gospel to provide this story of the young Jesus. By
providing these kinds of details, the writer seeks to develop a
convincing picture from the very beginning that Jesus truly is the
Son of God. In a first-century culture, this story reinforces to
Luke's audience that Jesus is who he says he is. His abundant
knowledge is startling and lends credibility to Jesus' identity as
the Christ, but it is also his claims as a young man that he is in
his "Father's house" (2.49). Though Jesus is still growing in both
wisdom and stature, Luke provides a glimpse of Jesus and who he is
to become.
We wonder at how a young man know with such certainty what he is
called to be. We can also wonder about our own sense of calling: do
we feel ourselves compelled to be who God is calling us to be?
Also through this story, Luke provides a small glimpse into Jesus'
family life. In events like Jesus' dedication at the temple, the
purity rites Mary observed after his birth, and the family's annual
trek to the Passover feast in Jerusalem, we see how important his
Jewish heritage and faith were to Jesus and his family. These were
the roots that Jesus would draw upon as he grew in years and
fulfilled his ministry and teachings.
December 28 can also be celebrated as the Feast of Holy
Innocents/Martyrs--which is what we've chosen to do at my church.
The Gospel text appointed for this feast is Matt. 2:13-18--anyone
know of any good resources for either the festival or the pericope?
Thanks, PB in PA
Kids these days have trouble knowing who their father is, the man
they man ocassionaly visit or the man that lives in their house with
their mom. The image of father is not necessarily a good one these
days. PH in OH
I am focusing on the theme of "forgetting" Jesus,and plan to call
the sermon "Forget-me-not".My image will be the flower of the same
name, and since I will be guest preaching at a small church,I hope
to find a florist where I can get forget-me-nots in the winter and
give them to the people as they leave. I will talk about other
Biblical references to "forget" and "remember", which are many, as
the concordance reveals. There are a number of
illustrations,including the old Steve Martin joke about "How to make
a million dollars and not pay taxes" ( "First, get a million
dollars; then,don't pay taxes on it. When the IRS comes to see you,
just tell them "I forgot!"). Although I always had a hard time
understanding how the family of Jesus could forget him, my own wife
forgot our older son when she was supervising our daughter and her
girlfriends at a Putt Putt Golf outing, and other good parents I
know have forgotten a child as well. At the start of this new year,
Jesus calls us not to forget him,but to make him central in our
lives..... Jesse in North Carolina
About PH in OH's comment... While the image of fathers may not be
good these days, that isn't God the Father's doing. We're to look at
Him as the example, as the reference point, and remind ourselves and
others what a good, godly parent looks like. There are examples of
unfaithfulness in wives, husbands in the Bible, as well as wicked
mothers and fathers, and other striving family members. There are
poor leaders, despots, evil doers. None of it changes the perfection
of God the Father, in whose image we were formed, whom we are to
always seek to begin to know . His ways are so much higher, that we
will always be only beginning to know, but there are moments He
allows us to grasp a glimpse of Him that causes us to want to
continue to wrestle with the desire to know He who is higher versus
the inclination to merely sweep our eyes from side to side. Vertical
versus horizontal...the pull of this earth.....LKINHC
PH in OH - this is true what you say about "fathers." Nonetheless,
it's not a new phenomenon. A man in my preaching group put it in a
way I'll never forget.
We had a huge preaching class, so in order to have time to deliver
sermons and get feedback, we divided up into small groups. One man
gave a sermon that highlighted God as Father - not as the primary
theme - but it was clear that the preacher saw God as "Father" and
that this understanding was important for him to communicate to
others. Another man in my group, who grew up with his father in the
house, said, "My father was an abusive alcoholic. I have trouble
seeing God as Father only." From then on, I made ministerial
decisions about Mothers Day and Father's Day and to make sure that
if I talk about God as Father, it would be as a "corrective" or
"good" father. We can't automatically assume that everyone has the
same image we have - or that it's necessarily GOOD to have a father
in the house at all.
Sally in GA
sorry, that should read,
"We divided up into small groups that enabled us to share more
intimately."
-Sally
The worst nightmare I ever had was when my older daughter was 2. We
were in the Kroger's where we shopped, and I was paying for my
groceries and turned to get her and she'd disappeared. I looked and
looked for her, frantic, crying, desperate. No one seemed to know
anything - or care very much, either. That was one of those waking
up in a cold sweat dreams.
Can't really preach a "dream," but I do believe I felt in that dream
how parents like the Smarts feel when their child goes missing. To
say it's a nightmare doesn't do it justice.
Sally
I am taking a slightly different focus on this text. My focus will
be on the rabbi's and those who were talking with Jesus. The sermon
is going to deal with teachers and the fact that teachers come in
many forms, and how often we miss them or dismiss them because they
do not the mold of a teacher as we know it. How often do we miss
lessons that are given to us by a child, or by nature, or by each
other because of our preconcieved notions of who does and does not
possess wisdom and knowledge? In fact many times in the Gospels,
Jesus doesn't offer a lesson, he simply points out the lesson that
the others are missing, i.e. the widow giving her last 2 coins in
the treasury, people who had faith and were healed on the spot, etc.
Gina--Brite Divinity school, Fort Worth TX.
PB in PA,
The slaughter of the innocents is the Year A, Sunday following
Christmas lectionary reading (RCL). That may help your locating
resources. I preached it two years ago and found a bunch.
Good luck. Tough one to preach, but rewarding.
mm in pa
If we focus on the "sonship" aspect of this story, then it's about
identity. What would it have looked like if Mary and Joseph had not
been faithful Jews, regularly bringing Jesus to the temple? Were
they not - in their humble way - playing a part in God's purposes by
doing what they knew to do: to take Jesus to Jerusalem for the
Passover.
As the Associate with responsibility for Christian Education, I'll
claim my own identity as one who advocates on behalf of the youth
and children among us, a small reflection of the way in which Jesus
claimed his divine identity in this story (even while honoring and
not abandoning his earthly identity vis a vis Mary and Joseph.)
Do we allow our children and youth to claim their identity as
disciples of Jesus Christ? Do we allow them to be in ministry, or do
we only minister to them?
And what kind of examples do we as individuals and as the church
offer to our children? There's something circulating on e-mail "when
you thought I wasn't watching, I saw you. . . and you taught me. . .
" which I plan to weave into this.
CB in MD
I am starting to work on my sermon early for a change. I am thinking
of titling my sermon, "Searching for Jesus". Here are some thoughts:
Some people panic because they can't find him, he is not lost, they
are. Where do people search for Jesus, where do they expect to find
him? And what do they expect to happen once they find him?
I too have a lost child story. My daughter and I were trying coats
on my 19 month old granddaughter. My daughter handed me a coat to
hang up, I handed her another one to put on the baby, who was
between us--and that quick, she was gone! We absolutely panicked! It
took us about 3 minutes to find her and it was the longest 3 minutes
of my life! The baby was not upset at all, she was not lost. I hope
you can see what I am trying to say here.
I wish I knew where the last place was that Mary and Joseph saw
Jesus before they left. Maybe it was in the temple. Where is it that
we last saw Jesus? Maybe that is where we need to return to to
re-member our relationship. My children and I had a plan worked out
that if we got separated while shopping or whatever, we would go
back to the last place we were sure we were together.
I am sorry this is so rambly, but maybe you all will help me with my
focus. I know there are some of you that have either preached the
scripture this way or have a clearer vision of this than I do.
Blessings! Toni
Is it significant that Mary and Joseph searched for Jesus for
"three" days? He who was as good as dead, is found alive? PH in OH
Gentle brothers and sisters, I’m not enough of a computer guy to
visit “chat rooms,” etc., but I came across DPS a couple of months
ago, have listened (read) intently, have taken many of your words to
heart and mind, and wanted to leave a few words with you now. What I
am is an old-guy (61), thirty-five years an Episcopal priest, many
years a shrink, very little “official” connection with the Church
nowadays, but Abbot of a non-denominational religious order that
works 24/7 with the “anawim,” the poorest of the poor: AIDS (105
have lived and died with us), Recovery, “illegal” immigrants,
mentally ill, etc. I also travel around the country, “sitting with”
and speaking to parishes (all denominations) and communities,
telling the stories of our life together…yet, also hearing the
stories of folks like you and those who sit in your pews, most
them—as you know—trying to make some sense out of the nonsense of
life. If you’d like to see what we’re up to, simply go to
www.orderofchristianworkers.org and surf through the daily chaos!
What I wish to say to each and all of you concerns a few
observations from the DPS “comment” page: 1) with all of the clearly
obvious diversity in theology, background, location, and viewpoint,
you DPSers show a wonderful sense of mutual tolerance, inclusion,
and kindness to one another; 2) there is, too, a real sense of
intimacy and “confession”—of allowing each other to see both the
pains and joys which fill your lives; 3) on many occasions, I have
witnessed a sense of “pastoral care” of each other—not out of a
sense of obligation, but from a sharing of the heart; 4) as the
monk, Toby McCarroll, once said, “All we really have to share are
our stories,” I am continually encouraged that you are willing to do
so…and allow me to hear them. So—as we say here, I will continue to
carry you in my heart and in my prayers of gratitude. I pray that
you will continue to offer courage to one another…and that we will
maintain this journey together…agreeing, arguing, struggling,
pondering, searching, forgiving, and celebrating. May your holydays
be filled with the same blessings and grace which you so obviously
offer to others…. Fr. Tom, OCW
thank you for saying that all we have to add is our stories. i am
losing a family in our church who thinks i talk to much about my
life and struggles ands that i am too honest in relating my stories
and my personal struggles to be all Christ is calling me to be.
Although she did not say it to me she told one of my fellow
ministers that she wanted a pastor who is above reproach. for five
days i have struggled with how to preach without relating to what i
am trying to teach. Right now i feel as abandoned as Christ did at
the temple when he was "about his Father's business." Strange how
someone always has some other business for us to do than that which
the Father has called us to do. a struggling baptist
To PB in PA:
Already today we are reminded of the need for Christ's birth among
us, into this world ruled by sin and sorrow. A jealous ruler tried
to end this child's life before his work even got underway. Though
Jesus' life was wonderfully spared, other children, the poignantly
named Holy Innocents, died. We are impelled already to look ahead to
the culmination of Jesus' life, when he died and rose again to bring
life to all.
Whether or not the slaughter of the Bethlehem children is a
historical event, the story's inclusion in Matthew's gospel makes
the point that Jesus was God's chosen leader of the Jewish people as
well as of the Gentiles represented by the magi. Herod's fury over
the birth underscores the claim.
Suffering is never enjoyable, but is there a suffering more
endurable than the usual? The 1 Peter lesson urges its readers to
rejoice in their suffering "insofar as you are sharing Christ's
sufferings." Few of us in a country where freedom of religion is a
given have that "opportunity" to rejoice. Who would seek suffering?
It is always thrust upon us. Certainly that was true for the
children who felt the swords of the killers Herod sent. Even more
true for their parents - the Rachels as well as the fathers who also
wept for their children.
Could those bereft parents comfort themselves with the knowledge
they were sharing Christ's suffering? More difficult still, could
they go along with the words "suffering in accordance with God's
will"?
We find a bit of wisdom and some help in "entrusting ourselves to a
faithful Creator" by considering how that faithful Creator went
about saving his world. God did not will that the Savior enter the
world with power and great glory and simply overwhelm all people
into believing and obedience. Clearly, God wants to let mortals be
the way they were created, with wills that are free, able to choose.
And so God decided that what's good for the child Savior is good for
all the saved.
And the faithful Creator also declared through Paul: "We know that
all things work together for good for those who love God" (Rom
8.28). According to God's ultimate will, the final outcome of all
our suffering will be lives as good or better than if there had been
no suffering. It may take a while, but "what's a heaven for?"
Rachel and spouse, while you keep on weeping over lost hopes
"because they are no more," think on these things, and be consoled.
Father Tom,
Thank you for your words of grace. I especially needed to hear them.
I've been a Grinch this Advent season - mostly because there is such
societal and now church pressure to ignore Advent in favor of the
season of pre-Christmas.
It'd be so nice just to serve God.
Sally in GA
Gentle Struggling Baptist: I think your soul offered up that "mis-typing"...I'll
bet that your "love" is coming through your "life" stories, and it's
likely scaring some folks (we need only remember how the original
apostles were terrified by some of Jesus' stories of his loves in
his life); so I encourage you to keep at it--mainly because it's
giving you life AND there are some (perhaps silent) folks there who
are deeply thankful for the gifts you offer! Gentle Sally: Yeah, I
think we all get "grinched" by the madness, and I pray that you'll
maintain your gentleness in the vortex of the maelstrom around you
(and I'm saying the same thing into the mirror!). This morning I was
pondering anew a line from our OCW Prayer Book: "Our greatest gifts
are our greatest burdens; our greatest burdens are our greatest
gifts." I have to remind myself of that continually...Love and
blessings, Fr. Tom, OCW
Gina, thank-you for your thoughts and a little different angle. I
work in a nursing home and with a small college just a few blocks
away, many of our residents have either worked or taught in the
college. My Mentor, Dr. Paul Welter wrote a book several years ago
titled Learning From Children where Paul talks about children as the
"master teachers". I will use your idea for my sermon on Sunday.
Thanks for your creativity. Lynn in Blair, NE.
I want also to say how much this site has helped me the last several
years. I have only contributed one time before, but so appreciate
those who do. I serve a small rural United Methodist Church is Ohio.
Last week, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. The Church is as
upset with this diagnosis as my family and I are. Immediatel we
sought the Lord. The Lord was not lost, but for a little while, we
were. We began this new journey last week with praise for God's
presence with us. We are trusting in God's promises and God's power.
However, from the time we first heard the news until we were able to
find our way emotionally and spiritually out of fear and anxiety,
there was this sense of lostness that engulfed us. Once we took our
eyes off the problem and looked to our Hope, that terrible darkness
was broken, and the light returned. The journey is just beginning,
but we are reunited with the One who holds our lives in the palm of
His hands. I can relate to what Mary and Joseph much have felt in
those few moments when they could not see Jesus. When they felt the
terror of separation. I can also relate to the utter "joy
unspeakable" of being reunited with Him. There is that wonderful
peace of knowing at last, all is well. Jan in Ohio
Just a little aside in reference to what Gina Brite wrote, about
concentrating on the rabbis. Some years ago I wrote a story of two
people returning home from the temple after meeting and talking with
Jesus, an older rabbi and his (probably 20 something) grandson. The
grandson commented on how brilliant Jesus was, and his grandfather
said that he expected great things for Jesus in the future, though
he didn't know what, and said he had a feeling that the grandson
would have something to do with Jesus sometime, and to remember what
Jesus had said to them. When they reached the grandson's family's
house they parted, with the grandfather saying "Goodnight, my dear
Gamaliel" and the boy saying "Goodnight Grandfather Hillel." Since
Hillel died circa 12 A.D. he would have been alive when this story
about Jesus took place assuming Jesus was born 4 to 6 B.C. I don't
know that I will ever try to make a sermon out of the story, but I
toss it out here for anyone who might be interested in doing so.
Pastor Neale in Alabama
Iam also more of a reader than contributor, but have find the forum
helpful. Jan I will keep you in my prayers. My husband and I share a
Senior pastor position. He was diagnosed with prostate cancer that
has mestastasized to his bones in October (he's only 42). We have
been overwhelmed with support and compassion from the congregation.
They think his illness has made him a better preacher. We think the
cancer has helped them to listen better. As Fr. Tom shared from his
prayer book, our burdens and gifts are often the same. We have come
to see cancer as a wonderful gift. It has renewed our marriage,
given some integrity to our ministry and helped us set our
priorities in a better order. Grace and Peace, Bonnie in MO
Iam also more of a reader than contributor, but have find the forum
helpful. Jan I will keep you in my prayers. My husband and I share a
Senior pastor position. He was diagnosed with prostate cancer that
has mestastasized to his bones in October (he's only 42). We have
been overwhelmed with support and compassion from the congregation.
They think his illness has made him a better preacher. We think the
cancer has helped them to listen better. As Fr. Tom shared from his
prayer book, our burdens and gifts are often the same. We have come
to see cancer as a wonderful gift. It has renewed our marriage,
given some integrity to our ministry and helped us set our
priorities in a better order. Grace and Peace, Bonnie in MO
So much here to respond to, and I know I won't do justice to saying
what my heart is filled with at the moment.
Jan, it is times like these that we've been given the gift of our
faith communities. The hardest thing I ever had to do was learn to
receive ... but it is as important for others to give to us and it
is for us to receive (obviously, given the proper circumstances). I
have a friend who was just writing to me about how important their
faith community has been to them during an autumn filled with health
crises. Sometimes we need to let others help us believe through the
tough times when we aren't even sure what to pray for. But, the body
is stronger than the individual parts -- and know that you have
folks here standing with you and holding you in prayer, even though
we've never met (I don't feel it's too much of a stretch to say "we"
here, not just "I"). We may have to let the "local body" of your own
congregation do some of the hands-on care, but we are with you just
the same.
Prayers for the gentle touches of doctors and nurses, wisdom and
understanding, clarity of diagnoses, space for you when you need it
and above all else, your awareness of God's all-encompassing embrace
so that you can let your breath out and not fall down.
mm in pa
Blessings to you all this Christmas season. As the Christ candle is
lit and the carols of joy and peace sung, may His grace comfort
especially those who have told of such troubled times in their lives
& ministry. As this passage reminds us, may we all, through good
times & bad, keep our priorities in order and be about our Father's
business.
Northeast Pastor
Blessings to you all this Christmas season. As the Christ candle is
lit and the carols of joy and peace sung, may His grace comfort
especially those who have told of such troubled times in their lives
& ministry. As this passage reminds us, may we all, through good
times & bad, keep our priorities in order and be about our Father's
business.
Northeast Pastor
Tammy, Jan, and Bonnie - I'll be lifting up prayers for you all,
too.
Sally in GA
PB in PA
I am commemorating the Holy Innocents, too.
Historical estimates are that 15 to 20 infant boys would have been
murdered. I am going to hold my 22-month old son up as an example of
one who would have been killed...even going so far as to lead people
to imagine how a sharp Roman sword would penetrate such tender flesh
and soft bone.
Then I will move to the blood of those Holy Innocents being joined
by the 35+ million aborted children of America, also crying to God
for justice.
In the end, the blood of the Holy Innocents was a cover for Christ,
yet 30 or so years later, the blood of Christ was a cover for them,
as well as all those affiliated with, associated with, and
victimized by abortion, and the sins of all.
Luther in IA
I also add my thanks to all of the DPS-ers who have given me insight
and encouragement through the past several years. You can't know how
often you sparked a sermon idea when I was fresh out of them during
my years as a student pastor -- or kept me pushing forward through
seminary! And you all continue to provoke my thoughts and challenge
me to consider alternative views now that I am a full time pastor.
I've been off lectionary through most of Advent, but you have all
been in my thoughts and prayers. I will carry you all with me to the
altar tonight as I celebrate Christmas Eve Eucharist for the first
time with the congregations I now serve. For those who are faced
with catastrophic illness (either yourself or family members) I lift
you in prayer now, as well as then. May God bless and keep you all.
May you all have a blessed and mercy-filled Christmas!
Robbie in KS
thanks Fr Tom. u may be right. merry christmas to all and to all a
good write! struggling baptist
Gina at Brite Divinity School,
Thank you for this great way to view this passage! I may be stealing
your good thoughts on this....
The reason is, I sometimes find myself with a bad case of clergyitis.
Its main symptoms are a puffed up appearance, stopped up ears and a
shaking head. The remedy would be to submit to the notion that there
might be others out there I can learn from, even those who have not
spent all these many years being a professional clergyperson. While
I am open to lots of different viewpoints on this forum page (since
you are my peers), I am less willing to accept as valid the
viewpoints of the Average Joe. 'Tis a disabling condition, to be
sure! Not all clergy are afflicted, but sometimes it just hits me.
This is going to be a humbling sermon, and I hope I learn something
from it. Thanks, Gina.
KyHoosierCat
Susan in WA, I want to thank you for posting the Bruderhof site link
for Christmas Eve. I found a good "lead-in" for my Meditation from
it.
I appreciate it when ya'll share poetry, links, your sermons, etc.
There is much to be found in them that helps me on my own spiritual
walk.
KHC
Luther in IA,
When you say, "hold up my 22-month-old son," do you mean literally
lifting him up and talking about the murder of children just like
him? I would find that too graphic, possibly traumatizing for your
son. I am hoping you mean to mention him as an example, but give
warning to his mother so she is not caught by surprise. Also,
mentioning the sharpness of the swords and leaving the flesh and
bone to the congregants imagination might be enough.
I, too, am charged with preaching the Holy Innocents, and am
struggling to preach the grace of God in light of what would have
been a horrible tragedy for so many.
Where do you get the information that it would have been only 15 to
20 children? That seems like such a low estimate to me.
Thanks,
Michelle
I'm impressed that so many of you have already been thinking about
this upcoming Sunday so soon after the Christmas crush. How do you
do it?!
It strikes me as a curious detail that Luke would be so specific
about Jesus' age, 12. Isn't it bar mitzvah time? Jesus is described
as 'sitting among the teachers and listening to them and asking them
questions.' Somewhere I read a great definition of humility--to be
instructable, to be teachable.
Perhaps it was on this site, I have read discussions on the early
meaning of the word, obey, --to listen (rather than to conform) So
Jesus is obedient to his father and mother...to them he also
listens?
Was there a process called individuation, or a stage called
adolesence in Jesus' culture and time? I'm thinking a male 12 year
old in the first century was no longer a "child," but a boy entering
adulthood, manhood. And why would Luke have included this account of
'staying behind in Jerusalem' at Passover? Perhaps Jesus'
credentials as teacher/rabbi/sage are being developed here. Jesus'
increases in wisdom, years, and favor...like his highly favored
mother?
Aslanclan
Yes, Aslancan, I understand this to be the time when Jesus would
have been preparing to be Bar Mitzva'd at the age of 13. It is a
long process, so by 12 he would likely have been well into it. I'm
not familiar with what goes on during this religious training - is
it a series of questions that are answered by the student, based on
what they have been reading in the Torah and the Prophets? If so, we
can gather that Jesus may have been the most proficient student
these teachers had ever encountered. The passage indicates he both
"answered" and 'understood".
Since the family may have journeyed to Jerusalem only in the
springtime for Passover, and since this may have been Jesus' first
trip as a student preparing for his Bar Mitzva, this must have been
a most meaningful trip!
BTW, Jesus' brothers and sister may have been traveling with
them....and at least one of them may have been a baby. It's quite
likely that Mary and Joseph would not take the time to go look for
Jesus, since in their eyes he was on the brink of adulthood. He
would know to be "where he needed to be" --- which they determined
was with the crowd returning to Nazareth, and which Jesus determined
was in the Temple, learning, answering, growing in wisdom.
Just mulling, not composing yet.
KyHoosierCat
Wouldn't you love to know whether Mary and Joseph assumed Jesus was
hanging out with his friends in that crowd, or that he was helping
someone who was having a hard time (an elderly person, for example),
carrying a load, moving a stubborn mule, finding a missing child? We
know so little about the child Jesus that we are left to guess what
Mary and Joseph assumed he was up to in that group.
KHC
Re: The Holy Innocents
The day commemorating the slaughter of the infants by Herod
completes the little trilogy of days which encompasses the scope of
Christian martyrdom: Stephen was a martyr of both will and deed;
John, who died a natural death (according to tradition), was a
martyr in will although not in deed; the Innocents, too young to
choose, were martyred in fact although not in will. This day,
although out of strict chronological sequence (on that basis it
should come after the Epiphany), is the only one of the three
clearly associated with Christmas. These children have been
venerated as saints since ancient times, although estimates of their
number were frequently exaggerated. The population of Bethlehem at
the time has been estimated at perhaps three hundred; it is unlikely
that there wer more than twenty of these innocents at most.
Michelle,
My wife is forewarned of the intended fetching of our son as an
illustration. If I don't warn her, I will be martyred myself. I only
hope our other child, a three-year-old, isn't having to go potty at
that time, which could take my wife and both children out of worship
for who knows how long. If so, it's improvisation time! Also, my 22
month old is not old enough to understand the atrocity I'll be
addressing, but, thanks for the reminder.
I do have some sensitivity, believe it or not, because I was tempted
to actually hold a Roman sword in one hand, and my son in the other,
but, that is even too graphic for me!
I found the gospel transition to be going from the blood of the
"innocent" martyrs to the blood of innocent Christ.
Blessings!
Luther in IA
I'm looking at the passage from the standpoint of God "growing."
Kind of focusing jsut on that last verse, and referencing the text
within the context of the sermon, fi that makes sense at all.
The idea is that the Creator (1)shared our experiences, (2) Provided
an example of how (and why) to live, and (3) redeemed mankind
(borrowing a little from the Passover, where the lamb to be
sacrificed was cared for by the family for four days before being
killed).
I hope it isn't too offbeat. I'm a part-time youth director, and am
filling in fo the pastor this Sunday...
JRH in ALA
Hi all: I am not using this scripture this week; it just seems so
great a jump to go from the innocent baby born in a stable to a 12
year old teacher in just 3 days! I am using the Lukean Scripture of
the dedication and purification rites found in Luke 2:22-40. I guess
rather than following the lectionary, I want to give some sort of
consistency to the scriptures we read each week. Thank you for all I
have gleaned from all of you this past year. I am looking forward to
a New Year full of promise and growth. In Christ, pbetty
KHC, You posted that you wonder what Mary and Joseph were thinking
about the absence of Jesus.... Some of the studies I've read remind
the reader that women and children traveled ahead of the men because
they were slower, and also so that the women could stop earlier in
the day so that the evening meal would be ready for the arriving
men. They all suggested that as Jesus was 12, and thus approaching
Jewish manhood, that Mary probably assumed that Jesus was with the
men, and Joseph probably assumed he was hanging out with the kids
and went with Mary.
I think that I will focus on Jesus' response to Mary which reminded
her of his identity. She rebukes him saying "your father and I" were
searching for you, and he replies "didn't you know I would be in my
Father's house?".
Bonnie in PA
My thoughts for this sermon deal with the issue that when we know
who we are, THAT will determine what we do. I haven't read the
purpose driven life yet, but it sounds like something that would
have been good to have read for this sermon. Has anyone else read
this book? Is it along this thought?
