Every parent has them: moments of failure you wish you could get back. I’ve made mistakes. Still, there are fails I have not committed. For example, I have never lost one of my kids … like, you know, Mary and Joseph.
The “Holy Family” lost Jesus! The Godly couple that was chosen to raise the Messiah—they LOST HIM!
“Assuming He was in the traveling party, they went a day’s journey. Then they began looking for Him. When they did not find Him, they returned to Jerusalem. After three days, they found Him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening and asking questions. And all those who heard Him were astounded at His understanding” Luke 2:44-47.
What do you think Mom and Dad said? Maybe: “Yeah, yeah, he’s great with the Bible stuff… whatever, we’re going home now, young man!”
No, of course not. They were raising a different type of child—one who never disobeyed His parents. In fact, that was probably why they lost Him—because He was so reliable, they did not check on Him the way they would any other 12-year-old boy. And instead of fussing, they would also have been astounded, if not by His brilliance (which they were used to, perhaps) then by the reaction of the “professional” Bible students and teachers.
Jesus said, “Why were you searching for me? Didn’t you know that I had to be about My Father’s business?” Luke 2:49.
Jesus went home, and “His mother pondered these things in her heart” Luke 2:51. Parents should pay attention to what God may be doing.
“And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man” Luke 2:48-52.
Pray about the deep wisdom here:
God, give parents grace in failure, grace for our kids, and help us watch and think hard about what You are doing in their lives. Help us to be “about Your business” for us and to go ALL-IN with You to fulfill Your will. Only then will we truly grow in wisdom and in favor with God and man.
ΑΩ
Household Words: 