The story of 12-year-old Jesus, at the transition between boy and man, is an important lesson for us about God’s timing. Even God’s own Son had to wait, and to grow, in order to become who God had chosen him to be. When it appears that we are merely marking time, God is indeed at work in us, preparing us for what we cannot yet see.
Waiting and growing
26 December 2021 • Pastor Michael Dutschke • for the 1st Sunday after Christmas
Bible Passage: Luke 2:41-52
+ expand1 Every year Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem for the Festival of the Passover. 42 When he was twelve years old, they went up to the festival, according to the custom. 43 After the festival was over, while his parents were returning home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but they were unaware of it. 44 Thinking he was in their company, they traveled on for a day. Then they began looking for him among their relatives and friends. 45 When they did not find him, they went back to Jerusalem to look for him. 46 After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. 47 Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers. 48 When his parents saw him, they were astonished. His mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you.”
49 “Why were you searching for me?” he asked. “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?” 50 But they did not understand what he was saying to them.
51 Then he went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. But his mother treasured all these things in her heart. 52 And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.
New International Version (NIV) - for other versions see BibleGateway.com
