Jesus' Family Album December 21 Devotional

LUKE 2:41-47 | ⁴¹ Now every year his parents went to Jerusalem for the festival of the Passover. ⁴² And when he was twelve years old, they went up as usual for the festival. ⁴³ When the festival was ended and they started to return, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but his parents did not know it. ⁴⁴ Assuming that he was in the group of travellers, they went a day’s journey. Then they started to look for him among their relatives and friends. ⁴⁵ When they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem to search 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.

The drama of an escape to Egypt and then a return from Egypt eventually gave way to a more settled life in Nazareth. The daily routines of work and sabbath, family and friendship became steady and normal. The yearly trek to Jerusalem must have been a special event, with the excitement of the big city and the energy of Passover crowds. This little passage illustrates that raising Jesus, wherever the family found themselves, was never routine. At 12 he was quizzing the scholars in the temple and wowing them with his wisdom. Silent Joseph can not have found it natural to have a genius for a son, a prodigy in the midst asking questions the Jerusalem elite couldn’t fathom. Perhaps they connected in the outdoors, maybe making furniture in the family shop. Often parents are challenged to connect with kids from whom they differ.

Can you imagine the challenge of raising Jesus?

Gracious God,

As parents and relatives find friends who impact children and youth, we sometimes feel inadequate. Remind us that we don’t have to have all the answers or be perfect, just faithful and available.

Amen.