The Man in The Middle Schooler

"When they had performed everything according to the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own city of Nazareth. (40) The Child continued to grow and become strong, increasing in wisdom; and the grace of God was upon Him. (41) Now His parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of Passover. (42) And when He became twelve, they went up there according to the custom of the Feast; (43) and as they were returning, after spending the full number of days, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. But His parents were unaware of it, (44) but supposed Him to be in the caravan, and went a day's journey; and began looking for Him among their relatives and acquaintances. (45) When they did not find Him, they returned to Jerusalem looking for Him. (46) Then, after three days they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both listening to them and asking them questions. (47) And all who heard Him were amazed at His understanding and His answers. (48) When they saw Him, they were astonished; and His mother said to Him, 'Son, why have you treated us this way? Behold, your father and I have been anxiously looking for You.' (49) And He said to them, 'Why is it that you were looking for Me?  Did you no know that I had to be in My Father's house?' (50) But they did not understand the statement which He made to them. (51) And He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and He continued in subjection to them; and His mother treasured all these things in her heart. (52) And Jesus kept increasing in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men" (Luke 2:39-52).

 

 

Was Jesus ever a teenager?  Awkward, funny, insecure, fearless?  

 

He was becoming the man He would be.  Big pieces falling into place.

 

 

     My Father's house, v. 49.

 

     Deep, deepening sense of belonging to God.  His identity was in God.  His purpose was in God.

 

     Our sin makes us use our freedom for self or sin.

 

 

     I must be about My Father's business, alternate reading, v. 49.

 

     dei, must.  

 

     He viewed life through the lens of duty rather than desire.

 

     "What does the Lord require of you?" (Micah 6:8).

 

      Most of us don't like to be forced.  Jesus was motivated by it.

 

 

     He continued in submission (hupo tasso, to line up under) to them, v. 51.

 

     He was humble not arrogant.  Compliant, cooperative.

 

 

     He kept increasing (prokopto, to cut a way forward) in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men, v. 52.

 

     The growth that doesn't come automatically.  Discipline.  Effort.  Investment.

 

     "Genius is 1% inspiration and 99% perspiration" (Thomas Edison).

 

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     "I don't want to be a man, " said Jace.  "I want to be an angst-ridden teenager who can't confront his own inner demons and takes it out verbally on other people, instead."  "Well," said Luke, "you are doing a fantastic job!" (Cassandra Clare).

 

 

     "Is life so wretched?  Isn't it rather your hands which are too small?  Your vision too muddled?  You are the one who must grow up" (Dag Hammarskjold).

 

     The call of Christ in the new year.