Darleen Nelson

Even though she had received the revelation from the angel Gabriel, Mary did not really understand who Jesus was or His reason for being on earth. The Jewish people expected a warrior who would save them from the oppression they were living under and that was not the way Jesus carried out His life. In this incident Jesus was breaking new ground with His parents and trying to help them understand who He was and His purpose for being on earth. Mary did not understand but she kept these things and pondered them in her heart and that is what we must do. Many things may seem to cause us to rebel against teachings we have had in the past or against our own pre-conceived ideas. We must learn to put things which might cause us to rebel up on a shelf somewhere to be pondered over and allow God to bring them to our understanding rather than rejecting any changes someone may offer. There are many false teachings going on but everything we don't understand is not a false teaching. Sometimes it is something beyond our knowledge and understanding and must not be rejected just becuase it is new or foreign. The Lord will show each of us through the Word and through others we encounter what this new teaching is and whether it is of Him or not. We must be open and willing to listen and then to weigh things according to God's Word rather than immediately reject them.

The temple was the center of Jerusalem's religious capital. That explains why Jesus was so interested in the temple and its significance to the religion of the people. As a child He listened and answered questions showing great knowledge and understanding for one His age. This set the scene for His later interaction with the teachers from the temple. All through His life on earth He met, listened and challenged them. Jesus understood His mission on earth was to reflect the will of God. He started revealing Himself and His mission at this early meeting with the priests in the temple. He also publically stated His relationship with God as His Father.

I do not think anyone was at fault in this incident in Jesus' early life. He was so wrapped up in what was being said and done in the temple that I am sure He didn't even realize that the others had left. The time He spent with the priests must have been extended as He would have otherwise realized that his family and friends were gone. With life being lived as it was in those times and the closeness between members of the family it is not surprising that Mary and Joseph took it for granted that Jesus was with other members of their party. There was such a vast crowd of people in Jerusalem that it would have been hard to keep track of each individual. Also we must remember that there were not the problems that are present today with children not being so closely supervised. I do not think there was any sin or error in judgement but just an acceptance of what was considered allowable at that time in social activities.

Jesus was born as a man and like a man He had to grow and experience all that other men do. He became manlike when He was born and went through all of the experiences that other men did. Growing in the Lord is one of these experiences.

Simon's piety would be an example to all who came to the temple. His years of faithful service would cause others to examine their own service to God. Simon portrays a faithful servant who has done what God asked him to do. He has done his part and God will do the rest. Anna's faithfulness also would be an example to anyone who frequented the temple. They lived knowing God would keep His word. My life should show to others that I depend on God and serve as an example of what a life led by God should be. I am the only Gospel many people read and my life should show clearly God's love and plan for them. I should be recognized as being different from the world and if I am not I am not living the life God wants me to.

Mary and Joseph had faith in God and in the traditions of their Jewish beliefs. Even though they didn't see the results of their beliefs they knew God honored them. I, too, must step out in faith and do what God requires of His children. I don't always see the results but I walk in faith and do as He says.