His parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover. And when He was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem according to the custom of the feast. When they had finished the days, as they returned, the boy Jesus lingered behind in Jerusalem. And Joseph and His mother did not know it; but supposing Him to have been in the company, they went a day’s journey, and sought Him among their relatives and acquaintances. So when they did not find Him, they returned to Jerusalem, seeking Him. Now so it was that after three days they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both listening to them and asking them questions. And all who heard Him were astonished at His understanding and answers. So when they saw Him, they were amazed; and His mother said to Him, “Son, why have You done this to us? Look, Your father and I have sought You anxiously.” And He said to them, “Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business?” But they did not understand the statement which He spoke to them. Then He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was subject to them, but His mother kept all these things in her heart. And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men (Lk. 2:41-52).
One December years ago, I was looking over the speakers’ list in the assembly bulletin. I noticed that “Messiah” was listed for one of the meetings. It turned out to be just a notice for a DVD showing of Handel’s Messiah, but that incident caused me to ask myself, “If God incarnate physically entered my assembly, would I see the need to respond to Him any differently than I do now?” Such an opportunity presented itself one Passover season two millennia ago when two parents found the Son they were seeking in the temple.
The slaughterhouse
First-year male lambs were taken from the flock each Passover season (Ex. 12:5). The temple’s evaluation process eliminated any maimed or blemished lambs from the distinction of serving as the Paschal lamb. The chosen lamb was then slain in the temple, “the place where the Lord chooses to put His name” (Deut. 16:2, 6).
Luke’s Gospel gives us the only account of the boyhood of the Lord Jesus, in the year before He became a Son of the covenant (Heb. bar mitzvah). At the scene, His temple audience is enraptured: “all who heard Him were astonished at His understanding and answers” (Lk. 2:47). While this may seem like a good reception, it was likely superficial at best. To this day, many churchgoers appeal to Christ solely for intellectual or emotional benefits. They have no desire for the redemption offered by the Lamb of God through the shedding of His precious blood. For a proper assessment, see Simeon’s and Anna’s encounters with Him some years earlier (Lk. 2:25-38).
The qualities we see in the early life of Christ validate His appointment as God’s sacrifice, “as of a lamb without blemish and without spot” (1 Pet. 1:19), the fulfillment of which would be seen in His final Passover visit more than two decades later.
The Father’s house
First utterances are especially poignant. As I hold my newborn son in my arms, I anticipate his first words with great delight. As we did with our first two children, my wife and I will record this occasion on our calendar. Secretly, I hope that my name will be the first word from his lips!
The first recorded words of our Lord Jesus Christ are found in Luke 2:49. Appropriately, they are about His occupation with His Father. Depending on your English translation, His statement is either rendered, “Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business?” or “Did you not know that I had to be in My Father’s house?” The Greek text doesn’t actually have an object for the preposition, rendering it, “I must be in the…of My Father” This ellipsis reveals that there is no boundary to the Son’s devotion to His Father. Whether in His Father’s house or going about His Father’s business, there is nothing that the Son wouldn’t do for His Father. “I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work” (Jn. 9:4). A final proof of our Lord’s devotion to His Father was His willingness to enter such darkness at Calvary into which no man had entered before, nor would any since (Lk. 23:44).
Jewish boys were groomed to learn their father’s trade. Therefore, the confusion of Joseph and Mary at their Son’s response to their concern is understandable (Lk. 2:50). If He were entering the occupation of His “father” (presumably carpentry), what was He still doing at the temple? Certain expositors of Scripture falsely assume that the Lord was discovering His true calling at this time; that until then, He was somehow unaware of His divine commission and nature. However, the careful reader will see that nothing in Luke’s text gives us this indication. In fact, it reveals that He knew exactly who He was, even then. It was His parents that needed the reminder of His identity. Regarding divine order, He is the Son of God, ever in communion with His Father.
The mother’s home
Regarding human order, “He went down with [His parents], and came to Nazareth, and was subject to them” (Lk. 2:51). This unique glimpse Luke gives us of the Lord’s early life reveals the perfect balance between spiritual life and home life. There is no conflict. The first indicator of godly service is in the home. Young believers contemplating missionary service must first prove their diligence at home. Conversely, rebellious children must avoid the missionary frontline altogether.
Moreover, Luke tells us, “but His mother kept all these sayings in her heart” (Lk. 2:51f). Mary’s recollection of the event that occurred in Jerusalem appears after we are told about Jesus’ subjection to His earthly parents. Evidently, Mary observed His perfect submission at home in light of what He had stated in the temple about His higher calling.
One can only speculate what it must have been like to be the mother of history’s only perfect child. Mary had children with Joseph, but only her firstborn Son was totally submissive. Perhaps she pondered the scope of His submission: since the Lord Jesus was completely obedient to sinful parents, would there be any limits to His obedience to His heavenly Father? More than twenty years later, Mary would witness firsthand how far the Lord was willing to go for His Father, and it would be like a sword piercing her soul (Lk. 2:35).
The deserted house
Ultimately, the home’s rightful occupant was rejected by its tenants. On His final trip to the temple as that fateful Passover loomed, He declared, “See! Your house is left to you desolate; for I say to you, you shall see Me no more till you say, ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’” (Mt. 23:38-39). When He gets His proper due during the millennium, only then will the glory of His presence return to the temple (Ezek. 43:7).
Heavenly home call
Having contemplated the Lord’s earliest recorded statement, we would do well to consider His final statement before His work of redemption concluded: “Father, into Your hands I commit My spirit” (Lk. 23:46). Even in the depths of indescribable agony, He reported to His Father that His divine mission was accomplished. The Father was pleased to receive His Son home, through death and resurrection (Rom. 6:4). The same is true for us. Whether we enter His presence through death, resurrection, or rapture, we anticipate a glorious homecoming to our heavenly Father for a job well done!