Olympic gymnast Aly Raisman’s father said jokingly to his daughter, “I’m more famous than you are.” His comment was based on the media’s coverage of him and his wife Lynn’s nervous reactions as they observed Aly’s Olympic routines. Their emotions on display became an engaging sideshow. The couple swayed and rocked as they anticipated Aly’s complex flips and twists. Lynn reached over and clenched Rick’s arm and fearfully peered out from between her fingers. There’s nothing quite like the anxiety of a loving parent!
Mary and Joseph also experienced fear and concern when Jesus disappeared as they were heading home from a festival in Jerusalem. After checking with friends and relatives, three days later they found Him in the temple dialoguing with religious teachers (Luke 2:46-47). Mary questioned Him: “Why have you done this to us? Your father and I have been frantic, searching for you everywhere” (Luke 2:48). Jesus responded, “But why did you need to search? . . . Didn’t you know that I must be in my Father’s house?” (Luke 2:49). Given Jesus’ divine nature, it wasn’t wrong for Him to pursue His purpose—even at a young age. But in doing so, He asserted His independence from His parents.
Like Mary and Joseph, we may feel anxiety when our children or other kids we know and love begin to mature and exhibit independence. Our control lessens, and their control over their own lives increases. While some concern is normal, unless we believe that God is aware of the challenges our children will encounter, we may have difficulty letting them go. But if we release them into God’s care when the time is right, they’ll have the chance (like Jesus did) to grow “in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and all people” (Luke 2:52).
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Luke 2:41-52
More:
Philippians 4:6 shows us how to experience freedom from anxiety. Read Matthew 10:37 and consider how it’s possible for family members to become idols.
Next:
Does God try to control every decision we make, or does He allow us to have choices and make mistakes? How is God’s “parenting” an example for us?
Gary Shultz on June 14, 2017 at 5:27 am
Hi Jennifer: Does God allow choices? God invented choices and as you know, it is a choice that God always had built into the relationship. It is not love unless we choice by our will, and we have no choice unless there is the other avenue. When we embark into the eternal, we will have done so by choice, no adult will be there, unless they chose to be there. God certainly has choices for us and a path for us to walk, but we do so by our will and as the Spirit helps us along. I must say I have always stalled with the passage in today’s reading, being a parent yourself, the behavior of Christ with His parents seems difficult to understand. One of our children would be in big trouble if that were to occur with them. However, we do not know the details, but one thing I do know is Christ lived a perfect sinless life. So I choose to believe that the proper response was made by Christ, and we know as parents we don’t always make the right choices. Thanks Jennifer
jennifer schuldt on June 14, 2017 at 8:57 pm
Hi Gary,
This passage does require some thought. As a parent, I would be beyond frantic if either of my children were to disappear for three days. In this case, I wonder if Mary and Joseph would have been more comforted if they had focused on Jesus’ divinity. Of all people, they knew best that Jesus, being fully God and fully human, would be able to take care of Himself at the age of twelve. At the same time, it seems reasonable that they were concerned because they loved Jesus as their son, and God had entrusted them with the earthly care of His only Son. Just some thoughts. Thanks for your comments!
don777 on June 14, 2017 at 6:02 am
I agree with Gary Shultz, As a parent/grandparent I would be out of my mind looking. But also maybe we need to look at it the other way around. How come his parents didn’t didn’t they know where Jesus was before they left. This is a crazy world then & now. That is why we leave everything at the feet of Christ. +>i
minkjh on June 14, 2017 at 6:33 pm
You pose a great question, Don. Amazing how that works with those of us who are parents/grandparents. The worry never stops no matter the age although we know in whom we should trust. Luke’s gospel does not elaborate on the finer details of this episode from the boyhood of Jesus. We can only surmise that each parent thought their son might be traveling with the other, since it was common at festival occasions for extended family groups or even small villages to travel together. When I reflect on this passage I think of the response Jesus made to his earthly parents and the fact they didn’t comprehend at that point. Jesus, fully human and fully divine answered from a divine perspective, while Mary initially reacted the way any parent would, from a human viewpoint. The full measure of this encounter would come to fruition about twenty one years later on Mount Calvary where all that Mary had treasured and pondered in her heart was satisfied once for all time.
jennifer schuldt on June 14, 2017 at 9:13 pm
Great points! As a parent, I think about how anxiety over a child in a moment of crisis has the ability to suppress logic. Mary and Joseph knew that Jesus was divine when angels spoke to each of them individually about His special nature before He was born. However, in the days while they were looking for Him, the anxiety must have been building. When they found him, perhaps all of their anxiety came pouring out in Jesus’ direction. From that point on, they had to begin letting go of the son they loved, and as you said, this would ultimately end in His death on the cross.
jennifer schuldt on June 14, 2017 at 9:01 pm
In answer to your question about why Jesus’ parents didn’t know where he was before they left the temple, according to v.44, it says they assumed he was with the other travelers in their group. Hope that helps!
sandy229 on June 14, 2017 at 10:42 am
Hi Jennifer! Just the other day I was asking someone what their thoughts were on when God created the world, He knew that Adam and Eve would make the choice they did, which proves we have free will, but the reason for this was that it was the price that God was prepared to pay for giving man Free Will and power of Choice, without which the quality of the worship He desires from us would not be possible. So we need to follow His example in letting our kids make their own choice. We can guide them and show them the right way, but the choice is ultimately theirs whether or not they choose to follow the right path. We can pray for them, but we can’t save them, only God can save them, and He gives us the Holy Spirit to convict them.
jennifer schuldt on June 14, 2017 at 9:15 pm
Thank you for this important point. Each of us must decide to follow Christ on our own. Being born into a Christian family is not enough. It’s true that children who grow up in homes where following Christ is encouraged and lived out have a better chance of becoming Christ followers, but it’s not a guarantee. Still, I’m thankful that God’s offer of salvation through the death and resurrection of His only Son is open to anyone!