What Child is This?

What Child is This? – Luke 1:40-52 – Christmas 2 2016

Concordia Lutheran Church – Columbus, Ohio – Rev. Darren M. Harbaugh

I’m sure it’s happened to you before.  You go to the store with your family.  Something catches your eye.  Before you know it, your spouse asks, “Where’s the kid?”  

A missing child.  It’s our worst nightmare. So there’s a lot in our gospel reading that causes us to sympathize with Mary and Joseph. 

But this is more than simply a story about a lost kid.  This reading draws attention to who Jesus is – the very Son of God.  And it’s my prayer today that you too remember who Jesus is…and that this brings you comfort in the midst of your troubles.

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In our reading from Luke, Jesus and his family have traveled to Jerusalem for the Passover feast.  And as they are returning home, Mary and Joseph begin to panic when they are unable to find their son among all their relatives and friends. They return to Jerusalem and they find him in the temple…sitting among the teachers…astonishing them with his questions and answers.  It’s a great story…But…Jesus’ mother was not amused.  They had been looking for him for 3 days.

She says to him, “Son, why have you done this do us?  Look, your father and I have been worried sick searching for you.”  Perhaps a similar thing would come out of our mouths if we found ourselves in that situation.

But notice Jesus’ response to his mother.  He says, “Why is it that you were looking for me?  Didn’t you know that I must be in my father’s house?”

Now…it kind of sounds like this 12-year old is giving his mom a little lip, doesn’t it?  But remember who he is.  This isn’t some 7th grader that wants to spend time at a friend’s house.

Yes, Mary and Joseph were freaking out.  Yes, 3 days had passed since they’d last seen their son.  Yes, they had experienced some serious trauma from this whole event.  However, when it comes down to it, the fact is, they had forgotten who their son was.  They should have known that it was completely appropriate for the Son of God to be in his Father’s house, discussing God’s Word.

What was Jesus doing in the Temple?  He was revealing who he was.  Everyone was amazed at his understanding and his answers.  He wasn’t merely sharing interesting facts that he had picked up from Jeopardy or Trivial Pursuit.  The questions and answers of this 12 year old boy displayed for the teachers of Israel that this was indeed the divine Son of the Father.

You’ve got to imagine that this boy’s questions and answers were similar to those he used later in life with the religious authorities.  Like when Jesus said to them, “What do you think about the Christ? Whose son is he?” or “The baptism of John, from where did it come?  From heaven or from man?” or “Why do you break the commandment of God for the sake of your tradition?” or “Render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar’s and to God the things that are God’s.”

And remember again what time of year this episode with the boy Jesus occurred.  Since it was Passover, Jesus likely discussed the Passover sacrifice and prophesies about the coming messiah.  Imagine that. The 12 year old Jesus speaking to the well-educated teachers about the sacrificial death of the coming one - the lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world -  who would be led to slaughter; this messiah who would be pieced for our transgressions, crushed for our iniquities;  the Christ, who would be punished to bring us peace, who would bring healing though his wounds.

Now we don’t know any of the specifics of Jesus’ conversations with the teachers in the temple, but they had to be saying to themselves.  Who is this kid?  Indeed.  What child is this? Nails, spear shall pierce him through.  The cross be borne for me, for you.  Hail, hail, the Word made flesh.  The babe, the son of Mary.

Jesus is the son of the Father.  The Son whose Father had sent him to work salvation for us sinners.

As our reading from Ephesians tells us, God the Father loves us so much that he chose us from the foundation of the world, He predestined us for adoption as sons through his son Jesus Christ.  In Him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he has lavished upon us...In him we have obtained an eternal inheritance.

And this mystery of salvation was just beginning to be revealed through the young boy in the temple

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So...while we can sympathize with Mary…While we can understand the fears of a Mother who’s lost her child…we’ve got to recognize what’s going on here.  On first glance, Jesus’ response to his worried mother’s scolding may seem harsh and unreasonable. “Why were you looking for me?  Didn’t you know?”

But if we consider who Jesus is, his response in fact is quite gentle and respectful.  Remember, He is the perfect messiah…and he is humbly reminding his parents of the truths that they had been given 12 years earlier about who their son was…and about his purpose in coming to earth.  Mary and Joseph had neglected and forgotten the words that should have guided them and helped them when they were so worried.

They had forgotten the words of the angel Gabriel who had told Mary: “you will…bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus.  He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High… and of his kingdom there will be no end.… the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God.”

They had forgotten what the angel had told Joseph: “Your son is from the Holy Spirit..He will save his people from their sins”

They had forgotten what the Elizabeth had said to Mary: “Blessed is the fruit of your womb!...Why is this granted to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me?”

They had forgotten the words the angel spoke to the shepherds: “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.

They had forgotten the words of the angel choir who rejoiced at their sons’ birth saying: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased”

Mary and Joseph had forgotten the words of Simeon who had held their son in his arms and said, “Lord, my eyes have seen your salvation that you have prepared in the presence of all people.”

Mary and Joseph had forgotten quite a bit…and the boy Jesus was lovingly reminding his parents about these promises.  He was pointing out where their help is found when are worried, or fearful or in any sort of distress.

-This is an important reminder for us as well.  The amazing promises of Christmas are still fresh in our minds, so let us take Christ’s words of promise to heart as we face the troubles of our own lives.

-Let us accept, in humble repentance, the gentle correction of the Lord.  Jesus answered his mother Mary with a loving rebuke and often God’s word does the same to us.  We are God’s chosen people, but we are also very confused and troubled people as well.  God’s word directs us to truths about Christ that need to be known and constantly remembered.

Remember God rebukes those whom he loves.  When the disciples where in a storm, Jesus pointed out their little faith to them.  They had forgotten that Jesus was the Lord of Creation, that he had repeatedly told them of the great things that he and they would do in the future.

Consider also, Christ’s loving rebuke of Thomas when that doubting disciple neglected Jesus’ predictions that he would rise from the dead; his claims that he was the true messiah, the resurrection and the life.

What about us?  We each face problems of many shapes and sizes.  Health concerns.  Worries about finances.  Anxiety over the future. We each encounter a multitude of questions and doubts – “Where is the Lord now?  Does he really love us?”

And perhaps you feel quite justified about your worries and doubts. “Why are you doing this to me, God?  Don’t you know what I’ve been going through?  I’ve been worried sick.” But like Mary and Joseph, we grieve the Lord by neglecting the truths and promises of his Word.  And frankly, this behavior is sinful.  

We become fearful.  We complain.  We doubt, and by doing this, we are robbing ourselves of the comfort and encouragement that Christ wants us to have.  Listen to his word.  Gladly hear it and learn it.  Christ is constantly speaking to you through his word. In the midst of your weakness, in the middle of your confused thinking…Christ is continually speaking, delivering to you to his word of truth.  His word which is the only thing that will revive you.  And when, through the power of the Holy Spirit, you have discovered once again the encouragement of God’s word, Christ urges you to not forget it.  Keep God’s promises ever before your eyes, ever on your lips.  Speak of his promises.  Speak of them to your children and your grandchildren, speak of them when you rise in the morning and when you lay down to sleep at night.  Speak of them when you leave your house and when you return.    

Cling to the promises of God.  In your complaining, in your confused thinking, in your doubt, God’s Word reminds you of who Jesus is – He the Son of God, the true Passover lamb that takes away the sin of the world.  He is your savior and mine.  In his word, his mercy and his grace are freely offered. You are forgiven.  His word gives you life and comfort and strength when troubles threaten.  In the name of Jesus. Amen.