According to Jewish law when a boy attains the age of twelve, he should have learnt the laws and rules of the religion. When the boy turns 13, he should abide by the laws and perform all rituals obediently. For this, the parents prepare their children. Our Saviour also took part in the rituals and did not part away from this. According to the law when Jesus was 12 years old He went to the temple with his parents. Think how much dedicated and attentive are we towards the youth in preparing them in the rules and practices of our faith.
This is what we learn about our Lord Jesus in His youth (Luke 2:40, 40 And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was on him.) For the youth today to grow in this stature and strength, it is up to us to prepare them and mould them.
When Mary and Joseph took Jesus to the temple, they believed He was with them. So they returned from the feast in the temple (Luke 2:43- 44, 43 After the festival was over, while his parents were returning home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but they were unaware of it. 44 Thinking he was in their company, they traveled on for a day. Then they began looking for him among their relatives and friends). It was only after a day’s travel that they realized He was not with them. Today those believing themselves to be staunch believers in Christ too face the same situation. They begin their journey close to Christ. Later, when they fail to renew their relationship with Lord and are in the false belief that the Lord is still with them they continue to walk forward. Like them we fail to recognize where we lost out touch with Him.
Brothers and sisters, this is the time. look carefully. Is Jesus travelling with you? Is He journeying with you? (Matthew 7:7, 7 “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.)
Mary and Joseph came back to the temple. They take Jesus with them (Luke 2:51, 51 Then he went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. But his mother treasured all these things in her heart.) He followed his parents dutifully. Here too Jesus teaches us the lesson of obedience to parents ( Ephesians 6:1-3, 6 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2 “Honor your father and mother”—which is the first commandment with a promise— 3 “so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.”)
The second Mary is Mary Magdalene ( Mark 16: 9, 9 When Jesus rose early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had driven seven demons.)( John 20:1, 20 Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance.) We can clearly see that Mary’s love and devotion to Lord was so deep that she did not fear darkness or Roman soldiers. When she reached the tomb she saw that the rock kept at the mouth of the tomb was rolled aside and Jesus’ body was not there. She searched for the resurrected Christ among the dead. S he was unable to believe that the Lord had risen. she says to the angel, John 20:12-15, 12 and saw two angels in white, seated where Jesus’ body had been, one at the head and the other at the foot. 13 They asked her, “Woman, why are you crying?” “They have taken my Lord away,” she said, “and I don’t know where they have put him.” 14 At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus. 15 He asked her, “Woman, why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?” Thinking he was the gardener, she said, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him.”
Jesus calls out her name John 20:16 , 16 Jesus said to her, “Mary.” The Lord God always calls out our name and calls us. Do we recognize His voice?? Do we recognize Him?? Are we able to say to Him, “I am listening My Lord”, or like Thomas you would be a non believer too???
Remember the parable of the 100 sheep. The lost sheep on hearing his master’s voice, cries out loud. This story reminds us of the good shepherd, our Lord Jesus Christ who keeps us safe and protected always. When we go looking for greener pastures, He calls us by our name, Son, Daughter. Do you hear Him and retrace your steps from the wrong path??
Let us pray that the Lord Helps all sons and daughters to return from the wrong path and not lose Him.
AMEN.
Jehovah Roi 