LUKE 2:41-52

Review of Luke: 39,40

And when they had performed everything according to the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own city of Nazareth.  And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him.

Luke: 2:41-52  Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the Passover.  And when he was twelve years old, they went up according to custom; and when the feast was ended, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem.  His parents did not know it, but supposing him to be in the company they went a day's journey, and they sought him among their kinfolk and acquaintances; and when they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem, seeking him.  After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions; and all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers.  And when they 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 looking for you anxiously."  And he said to them, "How is it that you sought me?  Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?"  And they did not understand the saying which he spoke to them.  And he went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them; and his mother kept all these things in her heart.  And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man."

  Right from the day of his birth, Mary did not understand all that was happening because God did not reveal all to her all at once.  As each thing happened, the Bible tells us that Mary "kept all this in her heart".  And though she did not understand at the time, she would comprehend later on in God's timing.  And that is how it is with all of us.  We do not understand all of how God is working in our lives.  But we will understand when God in his own wisdom and timing makes it clear to us.  Sometimes, what we may think is not a blessing is really a blessing in disguise and we will see how it all fits together in the end.

  Sometimes, when the holiday is over, we feel let down, depressed.  Mary must have felt that when she has spent seven days at the feast of Passover with neighbors and kin and then discovers that her son is not among them on the trip back home!  And then to find him both in joy but also admonishing him for his behavior.  Mary and Joseph did not understand his reason that he was in his "Father's House" but she kept it in her heart.  Keep God's word in your heart and accept what his will is for you.  Accepting will take away the stress you feel and fill you with happiness in Him.

  From this time forward (when Jesus left the temple with his parents), there is hardly any mention of Jesus' life until he meets John the Baptist.  It would be wonderful if we knew more but it is not recorded.  We are thankful for all that was recorded about the Savior and "hold it in our hearts".