Christmas 2, 2020
Luke 2:40-52
“Where is Jesus to be found?”
Grace, mercy, and peace be to you from God our Father and from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.
Growing up my parents took us to church. That makes a lot of sense…after all my dad is a Pastor. What I mean is this. Growing up my parents took us to church. It was a given. We weren’t asked if we wanted to go to church. We all went to church. I remember one Sunday waking up…LATE! The house was silent. I checked bedrooms, the living room, the kitchen, and nobody was home. What happened? Why didn’t they wake me up…or make sure I was up? How could they leave me home? These were certainly not typical questions coming from a teenager. I didn’t know what to do with myself. There was no way for me to get to church…and yet I felt lost being home…alone…with nothing to do. When my parents came home…I actually yelled at them for NOT taking me to church. Their reason…was that my mom thought I sounded sick when she tried to wake me up…so they made the decision to let me sleep so that I felt better. Looking back on the event…I’m not mad at my parents for their decision. What I believe though is that this was a defining moment in my life. Where was I supposed to be on Sunday morning? My conclusion was church; it was to be in God my Father’s House.
“Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover. And when he was twelve years old, they went up according to custom. And when the feast was ended, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents did not know it, but supposing him to be in the group they went a day's journey, but then they began to search for him among their relatives and acquaintances, and when they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem, searching 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. And when his parents saw him, they were astonished. And his mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us so? Behold, your father and I have been searching for you in great distress.” And he said to them, “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?” And they did not understand the saying that he spoke to them. And he went down with them and came to Nazareth and was submissive to them. And his mother treasured up all these things in her heart. And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man.” (Luke 2:41-52)
What happened? How did Mary and Joseph forget Jesus? It was a simple mistake. Mary and Joseph weren’t traveling alone. Mary and Joseph were also traveling with a larger group of relatives, friends, and acquaintances together. They simply thought Jesus was with this large group even though he wasn’t right next to them traveling.
What is remarkable is that after rushing back to Jerusalem, searching for this child…that Mary and Joseph found him in the temple. Jesus wasn’t with other children his own age. He wasn’t just living it up and enjoying what the big city had to offer. He wasn’t begging…or causing a ruckus. He was in the temple. He was there discussing God’s Word with the teachers. He was impressing them with His knowledge.
Where was Jesus found? Where did he make it a habit to be? “And he said to them, “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?” (Luke 2:49) “And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up. And as was his custom, he went to the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and he stood up to read.” (Luke 4:16) Even though Jesus is “greater than the temple” (Matthew 12:6) He still makes it his habit to be in the synagogue…to be in the temple…to be worshipping God on the Sabbath. Jesus made it His habit to be in Church. It was a habit…it was something he did and kept on doing. It was a place he went to regularly. In fact…in a quick search I found over 30 verses in the Bible that speak about Jesus not only being found in the temple and synagogue but healing and teaching there.
But why was Jesus there? He is God…He doesn’t need to worship Himself. He doesn’t need forgiveness. So why was He there? He went there for many reasons. Jesus kept the commandment to “remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.” (Exodus 20:8). Jesus went there because it is His Father’s house; it is the place God promised to be. Jesus went there to teach and preach the truth of God’s Word. He went there to cleanse the temple. He went there to heal His people. He went there to receive strength. He went there…because ultimately…it is the place where He was and continues to be found.
Where do we go to find Jesus? Many like to find Jesus in nature. Others like to find Jesus wherever they happen to be…in their home, car, hotel room, etc. While Jesus is everywhere…He is God after all…there is one place He promises to be. Always! For us! In His house; the Church. Where God’s Word is preached correctly. Where the Sacraments are administered rightly. There is the Church. And there is Jesus! It is Jesus that forgives us. It is Jesus who is found in the proclamation of Scripture. It is Jesus who feeds us His very body and blood. It is Jesus who gives us strength. It happens here!
Remember what you were taught from the catechism about confession of sins. “I believe that when the called ministers of Christ deal with us by His divine command, in particular when they exclude openly unrepentant sinners from the Christian congregation and absolve those who repent of their sins and want to do better, this is just as valid and certain, even in heaven, as if Christ our dear Lord dealt with us Himself.” (p.29 of Luther’s Small Catechism CPH 2005) Remember what John records in his Gospel: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.” “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” (John 1:1-3, 14) Remember what we sing right before the Gospel lesson is read: “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.” (John 6:68) Remember these words following the reception of Jesus body and blood in with and under the bread and wine. “Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel.” (Luke 2:29-32)
As Simeon saw the Christ as He was presented at the temple…so have we in this place. Jesus is found here in His Church. May the Holy Spirit continue to lead us, guide us, and carry us to this place…that we may see Jesus; be fed and nourished, strengthened, and forgiven by Him. Jesus is here…He is here for you! Always. Amen.
Now may the peace of God which passes all human understanding keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus our Lord and Savior. Amen.
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