"And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature, and in divine and human favor." --Luke 2:52
Tucked at the end of the second chapter of Luke's gospel, extending from the narrative of Jesus' birth, is the one account we have of Jesus growing from a child into an adult. He is twelve years old and accompanies his family on the yearly pilgrimage to Jerusalem for the festival of the Passover, the celebration of the Exodus journey of salvation. The people remembered when God released God's people from slavery to the Egyptians, so that they would be free to follow God's path to the Promised Land and live fully in God's ways.
Going to Jerusalem would be an enormous undertaking for the humble people of Jesus' extended family, taking off work for more than a week to travel many miles. Yet they did it each year; the practice was at the heart of their faith and self-understanding.
In class we discussed what kinds of Christian holidays or festivals might have a similar quality; practices that are central to our faith, where everyone participates. We identified Christmas and Easter worship as two such times. Pentecost was also mentioned, marking the gift of the Holy Spirit, and the birthday of the Christian Church. Pentecost is also when we will celebrate the Rite of Confirmation!
At age twelve, Jesus is at the cusp of adulthood in their culture. This would be a time for him to take on his own religious practices and responsibilities, to become an adult in his faith, not unlike the time of Confirmation for our class members.
When Jesus' family returns to Nazareth after the festival, Jesus remains in Jerusalem. A full day's travel takes place before Mary and Joseph realize that Jesus in not among them. Members of our class wondered how this was possible. It was speculated that since the larger family (uncles, cousins, etc.) would be travelling together, along with other people from Nazareth, it was possible that his parents assumed Jesus was travelling among familiar people and loved ones, as he always had.
At any rate, Mary and Joseph return anxiously to Jerusalem to look for Jesus. They search three days for him before finding Jesus in Temple! He is sitting among the teachers, "listening and asking them questions." The people around him are said to be amazed at the understanding and perspectives he demonstrates. In those days the teachers sat and the students stood, so having Jesus
sit among the teachers is a sign that, even though he is a student, he has great wisdom as well.
His mother is both relieved and furious: "Child, why have you treated us like this?" But Jesus responds, essentially, "Why were you searching for me for three days? Didn't you know that I must be in my Father's House?" This is a powerful moment in the story. Normally, when someone referred to "the Father's house," it meant the family home. But Jesus is clearly talking about God's realm. He may have been born to Mary (and Joseph), whom he loves, but ultimately he belongs to God. There is a sense that his own development is taking him beyond what his parents have taught him, even if they have done a great job. His mother, Mary, winds up "treasuring these things in her heart," even though she was upset at first.
We discussed the story and reflected on its meaning. One person said that now Jesus had really started his education. He was engaging this relationship with God and the important teachings of the faith for himself. Jesus is growing, "becoming," right before everyone's eyes. "Maturing" is another good way of describing this, another person suggested. Jesus is no longer attending worship or religious education just because his parents do or because he is "supposed to." He is taking his own learning and development seriously.
It was noted that
(a) listening and
(b) asking good questions are two critical skills for each of us to develop. Doing this well enables young Jesus to dialogue, and to take the teachings and apply them to everyday life in the world. His questions lead the conversation deeper.
Listening and asking good questions
have become two important parts of our class time together.
Members of the Confirmation Class, you are a similar age to Jesus in this story (perhaps a year or so older).
--How are you claiming your own relationship with God? In what ways are you committed to your own learning and growing in the Christian faith? Be specific.
--Are there ways that you see yourself like Jesus? Can you identify with him?
--How are listening and asking good questions an important part of your own journey?
--It seems to me that we are constantly learning from one another; that wisdom comes forth from everyone in our class. What do you think?
--In what ways do you want to "increase in wisdom and stature, in divine and human favor?"
