Saturday: Day 10

When his parents saw him they were astonished; and his mother said to him, “Child, why have you treated us like this? Look, your father and I have been searching for you in great anxiety.” He said to them, “Why were you searching for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” Luke 2:48-49

            It must have been a very meaningful trip to Jerusalem. It was the Feast of the Passover, and thousands of people had made their way to the Temple. Jesus was 12 years old, the age at which Jewish boys have their bar mitzvah and become a “son of the Law.” For Jesus it was a rite of passage as he would be inducted into the community of faithful, believing Jews.

            But as Mary and Joseph made their way home, they realized that Jesus wasn’t with the fellow travelers. When they returned to Jerusalem and finally found Jesus at the Temple, Mary expressed her concern. “Child, why have you treated us like this? Look, your father and I have been searching for you in great anxiety.” (Luke 2:49)

            Jesus’ response to them comes in the form of a question. Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” 

            One small word is important to notice: the word must. Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house? Must doesn’t only reflect an obligation, but it expresses inevitability. It expresses something that finds its fullness and completion. As St. Augustine said, “God, you have made us for yourself, and our hearts are restless till they find their rest in you.” Jesus must be in his Father’s house. 

            This is the first time Jesus uses the word must. It appears nine other times in Luke’s Gospel, and it has to do with his preaching, teaching, suffering and death in order to fulfill the Scriptures. Must reflects his priorities, his dedication, and God’s desire for his life that took precedence over everything else in Jesus’ life.

            As Luke wraps up this story of Jesus’ visit to the Temple, he writes, “And Jesus increased in wisdom and in years, and in divine and human favor.” (Luke 2:52) Being in his Father’s house was where Jesus found his real center for living, and became deeply committed to following God’s purpose for his life.  

            Is your heart longing or restless? Have you found contentment in everything for which you’ve been searching? It could well be that you must find a way to get closer to God’s heart for you; not in a demanding kind of way, but in a way that expresses fullness and completion of your longing. Jesus found it in his Father’s house. Perhaps you’ll find it in that same heart. It’s worth a chance.

Questions to Ponder

•   What are some “must haves” in your life? What are some things you “must do”? What is it about them that are so important?
• Where do you find most contentment and peace in your life?
• Do you believe you can come to discover and know God’s purpose for your life? Can you know God’s will and God’s way for your life? Why or why not?

Prayer for Today: Eternal God, sustain my faith in you. Triune God, let my journey find its end in you. Giving God, let my life be enriched in you. Loving God, let me find my hope and purpose in you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.