In those days, they travelled in caravans and relatives and whole villages often travel together and keep an eye on each other’s children. That explains why the parents lost Jesus. Joseph might have thought he was with Mary, Mary might have thought he was with one of their relatives.
After travelling for one day, then they realised he was not around. They went back to Jerusalem - that took another day. And then in Jerusalem, they spent another day looking for him. Finally they found him - after 3 days - in the temple. He was with the teachers, listening and asking questions. His mother asked, "Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you." (2:48)
2:49 "Why were you searching for me?" he asked. "Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?"
"Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business?" NKJV
This reply revealed many important lessons for us today. We are going ponder these words of Jesus. It was truly amazing, that at 12 years of age, Jesus was able to comprehend the heart of God.
1. KNOW YOUR IDENTITY - Be Secured In Him
Speaking to his mother, probably in front of his father Joseph, Jesus tells them he is concerned with His Father’s business. No, he was not referring to Joseph. He was talking about Joseph’s business, which was most likely carpentry. Mark 6:3 mentioned Jesus worked as a carpenter before he started preaching.
Before his own father, he was talking about another Father - his heavenly Father, his God. He knows who he is. Jesus knows his identity, not just as a son of Joseph and Mary, but the Son of God. Verse 50 tells us the parents do not fully understand his unique relationship with God or His mission on earth.
Do you know your identity today? Do you know God, our heavenly Father? Do you know that He is the One who makes you and loves you?
You may know the plan of your father on earth, but do you know the will of your Father in heaven? Maybe some of us here do not know God. You’re drifting through life; not knowing where you’re going and life has no real purpose. You need to know your identity - You’re God’s precious creation. You need to come back and be reconciled with Him. That can happen only through Jesus Christ. Put your trust in Him as your Saviour. John 1:12-13 "Yet to all who received Him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God..." Gal 3:26 "You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus."
When you know you are His child, then you’ll know that you’re deeply loved. Know that you have a special place in His heart. You have a loving Father watching over your life. Rest secure in Him. I believe that’s why Jesus wasn’t afraid, even though he was left alone in Jerusalem for 3 days, without his parents. He knows, His Father is watching over him.
Do not fear. You’re precious to Him.
2. KNOW YOUR HEART - Be Motivated By Him
You have a special place in His heart. But does God have a special place in your heart?
Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business? I HAD TO BE....
These are strong words. He knows what he OUGHT to do.
We can see the heart of this 12-year old boy. He was totally unafraid, even though he was left alone for 3 days. We were not told how he managed those 3 days; probably he ate and stayed with one of the teachers. But His heart was with His Father’s business. That’s what he was really concerned. That’s why he was listening and asking questions. Verse 47 "Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers." He must have some knowledge and understanding of the Scriptures. He showed us here a desire to know the Scriptures and the purposes of God. That desire is so strong that he is willing to stay behind, all by himself.
What drives you? What motivates you in life? We are all driven by something, where you like it or not. As a boy at 12, we expect Jesus to be playing with children of his same age, in the fields, running around in the streets. Yet he was found among teachers, because some things are more important than others. Some has greater value than others. Some are eternal, while others are temporary.
Ultimately we have to ask, what am I going after, what am I living for? Jesus urges us to "seek first His kingdom and His righteousness..." (Matt 6:33a).
2 Cor 4:18 "So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." At 12 Jesus was already focusing his eyes on that which is unseen, that which is eternal. When he grew up, this is what he wants to say to you:
Matt 6:19-21 "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."
3. KNOW YOUR FATHER’S BUSINESS - Be Concerned About His Work
The Father’s business is my business. The Father’s business is your business. Jesus’ desire is to know the Father’s business and invest his life in it. He is aware of his purpose in life.
"Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business?"
Do you know your life purpose? Life will be incomplete and meaningless, if we do not know God and His plan for this world.
Col 1:16-17 "16For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. 17He is before all things, and in him all things hold together."
We are called to know Him and serve Him. As a child of the Father, do you know what He is doing today? His plan? You may know the business of your father on earth, but do you know our heavenly Father’s business? Do you know who you are to Him and what He expects from you?
Jesus is concerned and wanted to know more. He wasn’t too keen on going back home so soon. He would rather stay longer in the house of God and learn more about His Father’s business.
The Bible tells us, the Father’s heart is for this world to know His Son Jesus Christ. 2 Peter 3:9
"He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance." People need to know that they are loved and that there is hope in this life, despite what we are see and experiencing each day. People need the Lord. God is in the business of changing life and He has called us into that same business.
How can I show concern for my Father’s business? Spend time with your parents and help them know Jesus. Bring God’s love into your home by praying for the needs of your children. Share with your classmates what God has done for you. Help someone in need and encourage him or her to trust God. Pray with them. This is what it means to be involved in His business, doesn’t mean that you have to spend time in the church in order to really do His work. We are to be light and salt of the earth, out there where the people are, where the needs and the hurts are. And let them see Jesus through our words and deeds.
Let us be concerned, the way the boy Jesus is concerned. "Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labour in the Lord is not in vain." (1 Cor 15:58) Let us invest our life in that which is eternal.
In college, James Dobson’s goal was to become the school’s tennis champion. He felt proud when his trophy was prominently placed in the school’s trophy cabinet. Years later, someone mailed him that trophy. They had found it in a dustbin when the school was renovated. He said, "Given enough time, all your trophies will be trashed by someone else!"
People fail to realise, that over time, all achievements will eventually be surpassed, records will be broken, reputations will fade away, and tributes will be forgotten. After a few generations, no one will know you. A few more generations, and no one will know you even existed.
CONCLUSION
Young people, listen. There is a lesson for you. The boy Jesus grew up as a carpenter, he comes from a poor family and lives in a small village Nazareth (a despised city). But His heart is with God. He went home with his parents, obeying them and growing up as any other kid. He grows in wisdom and stature. And then 18 years later, he emerges to preach the Kingdom of God. Then the heavenly Father calls out, with a voice from heaven: "You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased." (Luke 3:22)
There is a growing up time, a time when we have to listen and obey our parents, when we have to listen and ask the teachers - a growing up time. The bible just uses one verse to describe it - Luke 2:52 "And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and men." - between this and Chapter 3, that’s 18 years. That was growing up years for Jesus.
It does not matter if you come from a poor family, work as a carpenter, or grow up in a despised village. Don’t feel small because of your background. What matters most is your heart. Jesus has a heart for God. From young, we see in Him a thirst for the things of God and a concern for His business. Develop that and understand too that there will be growing up years, time when God wants us to learn, to grow in wisdom and stature.
