The Passover has drawn to a close. Last post we focused on the parents -- following ritual expecting Jesus to follow, rather than following Jesus. Now we focus on the Son.
40 And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom. And the favor of God was upon him.41 Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover. 42 And when he was twelve years old, they went up according to custom. 43 And when the feast was ended, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents did not know it, 44 but supposing him to be in the group they went a day's journey, but then they began to search for him among their relatives and acquaintances, 45 and when they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem, searching 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 And when his parents saw him, they were astonished. And his mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us so? Behold, your father and I have been searching for you in great distress.”49 And he said to them, “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?” 50 And they did not understand the saying that he spoke to them. 51 And he went down with them and came to Nazareth and was submissive to them. Andhis mother treasured up all these things in her heart.52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man.
How did the God-man Jesus come into a knowledge of his identity and mission? Was he born with a homesickness for his heavenly throne? Or did he wake up one morning with an eternity of memories? Our passage is bookended with the idea of growth (vs. 40, 52), suggesting an alternative explanation: his self-recognition was gradual. Perhaps this is part of the mystery of the incarnation.
The fact that this is the only story the gospels record about the boy Jesus suggests it is a critical scene of that growth.
The setting of Passover is significant. In the ritual feast dating back to the Exodus from Egypt a central component were the sacrifices. They pointed back to the first Passover when the families of the Israelites were commanded to sacrifice a male lamb without blemish and cover their doorposts with his blood. The life of the lamb served as a substitute for the life of the firstborn who was sentenced to die.
More significantly, it anticipated the One coming to accept the wrath of judgement in place of humanity.
We know that at twelve years old Jesus witnessed this ritual. But I wonder if for him it was more than ritual. Did something click. Perhaps the scriptures he had studied as a child came to mind:
Was it then--witnessing the story the slain lamb was telling--that he recognized his own life story: to live a pure life "without blemish" and die in humanity's stead.He was pierced for our transgressions;
he was crushed for our iniquities;
upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace,
and with his wounds we are healed. (Isaiah 53)
In response, he moves into action. Not the action of a religious fanatic, yelling in the streets, but the action of one come to unite with humanity. Joining the circle of religious leaders, he listens and asks questions. Yet through his meekness they recognized a fresh teaching. Perhaps he communicated from the scriptures the meaning of their ancient rituals. Whatever the dialogue, they were "astonished".
Mary and Joseph reunite with Jesus and he continues to live humbly under them, still growing. He models holistic growth: mental, physical, spiritual, and social (vs. 52). But throughout it all, he knows Who to call "Father" and recognizes his mission.
When the time is right, he'll begin that mission. Until then, more growing.
