2023_07_07 Insight Post- Brandon Bennick
This week’s reading- 1 Samuel 8-10, Luke 1-2
41Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover. 42And when he was twelve years old, they went up according to custom. 43And when the feast was ended, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents did not know it, 44but 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, 45and when they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem, searching for him. 46After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. 47And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. 48And 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.” 49And he said to them, “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” 50And they did not understand the saying that he spoke to them. 51And 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. 52And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man. (Luke 2:41-52)
I can’t read this passage without thinking about being a little boy at Target hiding in the clothes rack. I was with my parents when they were shopping for clothes and snacks when I slipped out of their sight. I’d have to say this behavior wasn’t unusual for me, and I learned the key was playing the long game. It was essentially a high-stakes game of hide and seek, waiting for them to find me. However, this time I was grinning amongst denim when I heard my name over the speaker system. This was a moment I recall being quite the vibe-check, and I slowly made my way to guest services at the front of the store. As far as Jesus’ parents were concerned, He was hiding too.
In verse 48, we read, “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.” I recall my parents’ reactions being similar, but Jesus and I did very different things while our parents searched for us. Jesus was sitting and engaging with the teachers in the temple while I was hiding from my parents in Target. The part which really grabs my attention in this passage is even at 12 years old, it’s obvious Jesus was not an ordinary boy. His interactions with the teachers left them all impressed. My response to my parents at guest services that day was likely one of humiliation and possibly even shame. Though we read in verse 49 that Jesus replied, “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” This shows Jesus has a sense of obligation to God that determines how he lives (ESV Study Bible. 2008). He knew He needed to sit with the teachers in the temple. This act of obedience seems confusing as it required Jesus to act in a way that put his parents into a panic, but He prioritizes being with God. It leaves me asking myself, where is my next step in obedience? What does sitting in my Father’s house look like today? Where is God inviting me to sit in His presence?
Brandon Bennick
Director of Young Adults & Digital Services
References: ESV Study Bible. (2008). Crossway Books.