The Vine: Jan. 6, 2025

“Abide in me as I abide in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me. I am the Vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing”

— John 15:4-5

This is a weekly reflection on the previous week’s sermon text. Each week there will be a devotional related to the scripture for the week, along with questions for reflection/discussion, as well as prayer. Feel free to make this a part of your individual spiritual growth throughout the week or utilize in small group settings (growth groups, Sunday school, etc.)

“Now every year his parents went to Jerusalem for the festival of the Passover. And when he was twelve years old, they went up as usual for the festival. When the festival was ended and they started to return, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but his parents did not know it. Assuming that he was in the group of travelers, they went a day’s journey. Then they started to look for him among their relatives and friends. When they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem to search for 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. When his parents[a] 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?’ But they did not understand what he said to them. Then he went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them. His mother treasured all these things in her heart.
And Jesus increased in wisdom and in years,and in divine and human favor.”

— Luke 2:41-52

This is the only passage in the canonical gospels where we read about Jesus as a child. There were many other gospels written about Jesus but not accepted as scripture. One of those gospels is the “Infancy Gospel of Thomas”. Stories about Jesus as a child in that gospel include some odd scenarios, making clear why these gospels were not included in the Bible. For example, in one of the stories another boy jostled Jesus in the marketplace, prompting Jesus to strike him dead. In another story a boy fell from a roof and died. Jesus raised him from the dead so that the boy could testify that Jesus didn’t push him off the roof. Those stories are not consistent with the character of Christ we find in Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, therefore, were not included in scripture.

In our story today we are reminded that Joseph and Mary were Jewish people living out their faith. Like so many others, each year they attended Passover in Jerusalem. Families would travel in caravans to the great Passover festival. When it was time to return home, they left one important thing behind – Jesus! After a day’s journey they realized Jesus was missing and frantically returned to Jerusalem to search for him. They found him three days later in the temple. He was sitting among the teachers listening to them and asking questions. Joseph and Mary were not amused. Mary said to Jesus, “Child, why have you treated us like this? Look, your father and I have been searching for you in great anxiety.”

Jesus’ response was interesting to say the least, “Why were you searching for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” Wow! One would think Jesus would have been grounded for a year after that response, but Luke tells us that Mary and Joseph “did not understand what he said to them”. At age 12, Jesus was already speaking and thinking on a different level.

This passage serves as a transition from the birth narrative of Jesus to his adult ministry and establishes Jesus’ identity as the Son of God. It also provides an example for all of us regarding discipleship. Jesus was sitting among the teachers “listening and asking questions”. We can all grow in our discipleship by listening and asking questions in Christian community. One thing we have been very intentional about in our church over the past year has been providing opportunities for everyone to engage scripture in community so that we can have a place to grow and support one another. I pray that you will find a place to “listen and ask questions” just as Jesus modeled for us.

Prayer:

Loving God, as we begin this new year it is our prayer that we will take time in our lives listen and ask questions. We know that we can do that in prayer with you, but also in conversation with one another. Thank you for the gift of scripture and for your Son Jesus Christ. Amen.

Questions for Reflection:

What are some possible reasons for Luke including this story in his gospel?
Why do you think the gospel authors did not include other stories about Jesus as a child?
How has listening and asking questions in community helped shape your faith in Christ?
In what ways does this story illustrate the human/divine nature of Christ?

Printer Version