Tipping Point

    Children grow up so quickly. Where does the time go?  I wonder if Mary or Joseph thought something similar as they prepared for the Passover journey to Jerusalem that year. Jesus was 12 years old that year, preparing to transition into adult standing.  It is the time for sons to learn their
father's work.  The following year boys would be deemed ready to undertake the responsibilities of knowing and following the Law of Moses.

    Luke has done a good job of showing us the divine nature of Jesus' birth.  He has also shown us the human growth of the infant.  Here at the end of chapter 2, he introduces the direct concept that Jesus, son of the virgin Mary, is also Christ, Emmanuel God with us.  By now he has become aware of his unique birth and relation with Almighty God, though we are not given the details of when nor how this took place.

    The key moment came with the emotional background of a three day search for a missing son. At last Jesus is located in the Temple courtyards.  Mary can contain herself no longer. "Son, why have you treated us this way?" This is a completely understandable question. An urgent trip back to the city and a night with less than peaceful sleep was coupled with a desperate search in a large city.

    Then she said it. "'Your father' and I have been anxiously searching for you."  That was when Jesus reflected his tipping point. "Why would you search? You do know that I would be involved in 'My Father's' things, didn't you?"

    Here we find Jesus as a young man with a clear understanding and claim to be closely and uniquely related to Yahweh.  My Father stands in direct contrast with Joseph, his supposed father.

    We, also understand a direct relationship with God.  We connect with Him through Jesus the Christ. We are not divine, not gods. We are redeemed.  We are His people and as such, should be involved in His house and in His things.  We belong to Him and have a job to carry out in His Name.