Luke 2:41-50

Reading 1 

Luke 2:41-50

“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. And his 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.”   

There is so much that could be said about this passage.  One thing that has always resonated in my mind when I read Luke’s account of Jesus during his late formative years is His composure.  Jesus was 12 as recorded by Luke.  At age 13, in the culture of Jesus’ day, He would have gained full adult responsibilities and then at 13 Jesus would be responsible for the full law.  However, even as a child Christ is teaching and directing His adult audience.  

Luke records that custom had taken Jesus to Jerusalem but something greater had kept Him there.  Joseph and Mary returned to Jerusalem concerned and worried and found their son in God’s house.

The idea of the church vs. the church building is an important topic for consideration and I challenge you with this question, how precious is God’s house to you?  

There are two structures I grew up associating God and the church with.  One is a neat, old, Methodist church named Beth Carr.  Founded in the late 1700’s this church is where my grandparents attended.  I grew up seeing pictures of a hot June day sometime during the 1970’s in which my then long haired father married my sweet mom in this church’s sanctuary.  I grew up attending this church building occasionally with my grandparents during visits.  The floor creaked, the carpet smelled unique, and I had to be quite.  This is a building that has both physical and personal character that holds a place of significance in my heart. 

The other structure I grew up associating God and the church with is where the church I now pastor gathers.  Uniquely I grew up in this church.  I have climbed pews.  I have hid in the baptistry. I have sat during long services and counted the number of bricks on the wall.  My found memories of events in this building are enormous.  It was in this building I was baptized.  It was in this building I preached my first sermon.     

Jesus has taught me something about His bride, the church.  Christ’s church is not a building.  The precious memories I have and truly cherish have little to do with wood, brick, and mortar but are the lasting impacts of those who, God first loved and reciprocated God’s love on me.  

On an awkward Sunday service a few years back in which our church was making some physical upgrades to the building we gather in I was preaching.  In that sermon I walked to the place that I used to sit as a child.  Below my feet were the hardwood floors my 12 year old self stood when I first began accepting who Christ was and my need for Him.  Never before have I felt more called to speak my heavenly Father’s truth.  I said.  “What happened to me in this place when I was 12 was holy however this actual place is not holy.” 

In no way am I comparing my 12 year old self to Jesus.  However, Luke’s account of Jesus’ encounter as a boy in the synagogue causes us to think.  King David speaks of God’s house stating that “Lord I love the house where you dwell, the place where Your glory resides.”  The church building is important but certainly something that should never surpass God.  Wouldn’t you love to know what Jesus those teachers in the synagogue were discussing?