Luke 2:39-52: a reflection

39When they had accomplished all things that were according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city, Nazareth. 40The child was growing, and was becoming strong in spirit, being filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon him. 41His parents went every year to Jerusalem at the feast of the Passover. 42When he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem according to the custom of the feast; 43and when they had fulfilled the days, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. Joseph and his mother didn’t know it, 44but supposing him to be in the company, they went a day’s journey; and they looked for him among their relatives and acquaintances. 45When they didn’t find him, they returned to Jerusalem, looking for him. 46After three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the middle of the teachers, both listening to them and asking them questions. 47All who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. 48When 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 were anxiously looking for you.” 49He said to them, “Why were you looking for me? Didn’t you know that I must be in my Father’s house?” 50They didn’t understand the saying which he spoke to them. 51And he went down with them and came to Nazareth. He was subject to them, and his mother kept all these sayings in her heart. 52And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.

When Jesus is twelve, his parents find him after three days' searching in the temple, sitting among the teachers. His mother's relief mingles with reproach: Son, why have you treated us this way? And Jesus answers with words that reveal where his heart was drawn: Why were you looking for me? Didn't you know that I must be in my Father's house? Even as a boy, Jesus was drawn to his Father, to his Father's house, above all else; the pull of his heart was toward God. Being in his Father's house was, for him, the natural and necessary place to be, the thing that drew him.

Notice where the boy Jesus was drawn: to his Father's house, to his Father. When he was lost to his parents, he was found in the temple, drawn there as the place he most naturally belonged; and he speaks of being in his Father's house as a must, the thing his heart was set on. Even as a child, the pull of his heart was toward God, toward his Father, above all other draws. Being about his Father, in his Father's house, was for Jesus not a duty imposed but the natural gravitation of his heart. His heart was drawn to the Father, and being with him was where he most belonged. The pull toward the Father was, even then, the deepest thing in him.

That is worth taking to heart, for our hearts too are meant to be drawn to the Father, to find our truest place with him. Many things draw our hearts, and the Father can become one draw among many, or less; but the boy Jesus was drawn to his Father's house as the place he most belonged, his heart set on being with the Father. Our hearts are meant to have that pull, to be drawn to God above all, to find our truest place in his presence. Do not let lesser things so draw your heart that the pull toward the Father is dimmed; let your heart be drawn to God above all, finding your truest place with him. Let your heart be drawn to the Father above all else, finding your truest place in his presence, as the boy Jesus was drawn to his Father's house as the place he most belonged; for our hearts are meant to gravitate toward God, and being with the Father is where we most truly belong.

Lord Jesus, when you are twelve, your parents find you after three days' searching in the temple, sitting among the teachers. Your mother's relief mingles with reproach: son, why have you treated us this way? And you answer with words that reveal where your heart was drawn: why were you looking for me? Didn't you know that I must be in my Father's house? Even as a boy, you were drawn to your Father, to your Father's house, above all else; the pull of your heart was toward God. Being in your Father's house was, for you, the natural and necessary place to be. Show me where the boy Jesus was drawn: to his Father's house, to his Father. When you were lost to your parents, you were found in the temple, drawn there as the place you most naturally belonged; and you speak of being in your Father's house as a must. Even as a child, the pull of your heart was toward God, above all other draws. Being about your Father was for you not a duty imposed but the natural gravitation of your heart. Take that to my heart, for my heart too is meant to be drawn to the Father, to find my truest place with him. Many things draw my heart, and the Father can become one draw among many, or less; but you, the boy Jesus, were drawn to your Father's house as the place you most belonged. My heart is meant to have that pull, to be drawn to God above all. Keep me from letting lesser things so draw my heart that the pull toward the Father is dimmed; let my heart be drawn to you above all, Lord, finding my truest place in your presence, as the boy Jesus was drawn to his Father's house.