it’s tough being a parent
Water cooler conversation:
What was your biggest win this week? What was your biggest challenge?
Would you rather find your kid eating the cat's food or find your cat conspiring with your kid to overthrow your parenting regime?
Unpack the Message:
Luke 2:40-52 wraps up Jesus’ childhood narrative that opened Luke 2. Jesus is twelve years old at this time and has traveled with his parents to Jerusalem for the Feast of the Passover. When the eight-day festival concludes, Mary and Joseph join a caravan and begin the journey home. At the end of the first day, they realize Jesus is absent and return to Jerusalem, searching for him. On the third day (day one: travel from Jerusalem, day two: travel to Jerusalem, day three: looking in Jerusalem), they find him in the temple courts.
No doubt Mary and Joseph were both relieved and frustrated when they finally found Him. We can infer from the text that Mary and Joseph were attentive parents (Luke 2:40), so why would He put His parents through such stress? Mary says, “Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you.”Jesus responds, “Why were you searching for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” The Greek words translated here as “had to be” are written as imperatives. Jesus is telling his mother, “it is necessary” for me to be in my Father’s house, a phrase repeatedly used throughout Luke and Acts demonstrating what must happen for God’s plan of salvation to be put into place.
The importance of these words cannot be overstated. They are Jesus’ first words recorded in Scripture and establish that from the beginning; He knew His mission and heavenly Father’s will. He isn’t correcting His mother but declaring which “father” must take prominence in his life.
Verses 50 and 52 tell us that though Mary didn’t fully understand, she tucked His words away in her heart. No doubt she reflected on these Jesus’ words many times in the years to come and particularly in His last days and hours. Being a parent means constantly navigating transitions in life alongside your children.
Transition - You are revealed by your relationships.
Throughout Luke 2:40-52, we see Jesus’ name, but not Mary and Joseph. They are simply referred to as “His parents.” In Luke 1 and 2, Mary and Joseph are often referred to by name, but here, at the end of Luke 2, there’s a transition. They are no longer the focal point of this story - Jesus is. Mary and Joseph found their identity in their faith, and from this point forward, that faith had a name - JESUS. Our calling is no different. Our identity must be in Christ - not in our children, career, power, or wealth.
As parents, we are called to lay aside the things that distract us and transition our attention toward our children.
Trajectory - You lead through obedience.
If we want our children to grow up to be followers of God, we must lead by example and be followers of God ourselves. When Jesus tells Mary, “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house,” He is following their example. Luke 2:40-41 tells us, “And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was on him. Every year Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem for the Festival of the Passover.” Luke bookends this passage with verse 52; “And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.” The spiritual foundation laid for Jesus - though fully God while fully human during his years on earth - led Him to obey His heavenly Father’s will.
Transcendence - God is more than you.
As parents, what God wants for your child far outweighs what you want for your child. The plans and future we desire for our children may last a generation or two, but God’s plan extends into eternity. Jesus understood His time on earth would be limited, so pursuing and preparing for God’s will superseded anything Mary and Joseph planned.
Treasure - Be open to God’s greatness without understanding everything.
Even in those moments of transcendence, treasure those moments you have together. Even though Mary couldn’t fully comprehend the significance of Jesus’ actions and His statement, “I must be in my Father’s house,” Scripture says she “treasured all these things in her heart.” Mary didn’t know God’s plan for Jesus and wouldn’t have known His time on earth would be brutally cut short. But, like every good mother, she treasured these moments and tucked them away to comfort her and bring clarity for the events that lay ahead.
Reflect:
Are you leading in obedience? What can you point to and say, “This is how I’m leading my children into a personal relationship with Christ.”
What do you think Luke means in verse 40 when he says that Jesus “grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him.”
In verse 48, Mary reprimands Jesus for staying behind. Was she right to do so? How would you have responded as a parent?
Jesus’ response is in verse 49. Do you think He was frustrated with His mother, or was He surprise that she didn’t understand?
Have you ever experienced this same tension between the call of God on your life and someone else’s expectations of you? If so, how have you handled it? Have you ever placed this tension on someone else? How did you resolve the tension?
What is your biggest struggle in leading your family?
What is the thing you struggle to surrender to God concerning your children?
Make a Move:
Think about the roles you play within your family. Whether you’re a parent or not, your walk with Christ impacts your family members. Ask yourself if you are drawing your family toward Christ or are you pushing them away? Ask God to reveal areas in your life that are causing your family confusion or distrust of Christians.
Prayer Prompt:
Father, You have blessed us with the gift of family. You commanded that we should teach our children about You so guide us every moment of the day as we strive to draw all men to You.
Let the words of Christ dwell in us, so that we may teach and guide our family, through our words and deeds, to the saving knowledge of Christ. Help us to be compassionate, kind, and patient throughout our days. Help us to forgive as You have forgiven us and let the peace of Christ rule in our hearts. Above all, help us to remember to put on love which binds everything together in perfect harmony.
We thank You, Lord, for the many blessings You continually shower us with. Amen.