Sometimes as we go through life, we find that although we may desire to surrender our hearts to the will of God, it is not always easy. We may have plans, dreams, desires that pull or tug at our hearts. Usually we do not understand, why the Will of God seems contrary to ours. Or sometimes, it seems the more difficult or painful pathway. Perhaps that was the case with Mary and Joseph with Jesus at the age of 12 when we look at the scene here at the temple.
Certainly, Mary and Joseph had been faithful. When the angel first appeared to Mary and then Joseph, they immediately believed God and vowed to follow His will. Then, being fully obedient to all of God’s commandments they presented the child to be circumcised and named Him Jesus. While there, Simeon and Anna both confirmed the truth that Jesus was the long-awaited Messiah.
Simeon proclaimed, “29 “Lord, ….my eyes have seen Your salvation
31 Which You have prepared before the face of all peoples,
32 A light to bring revelation to the Gentiles, And the glory of Your people Israel.” Then Simeon said to Mary, ““Behold, this Child is destined for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which will be spoken against 35 (yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul also), that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”
Obediently, they went to Egypt for a time and then returned to Nazareth. But, in all this, did they realize the true purpose of Christ and the Will of God? Did they know that He would be the sacrificial lamb to pay the penalty of their own sins as well as the world?
OBEDIENT CHILD AND DEVOTED PARENTS
Luke 2: “the Child grew and became strong [k]in spirit, filled with wisdom; and the grace of God was upon Him. 41 His parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover. 42 And when He was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem according to the custom of the feast.”
Every year they went to Jerusalem for the feast of the Passover. That was an 80-mile trip on foot each way through rugged terrain. It was most likely harder bringing along their children (the half-brothers and half-sisters of Christ). Usually that meant the travel was best with a caravan of friends and family. So, it was Jesus at the age of twelve went with his family to the Passover. He had grown in the Spirit and was filled with God’s wisdom. Imagine having the full wisdom of God in a human body. Furthermore, although tempted as any human child is, Jesus must have felt desires of disobedience, selfishness, and even lying as all children do. Yet, He was without sin which is why they did not even think about His not being in the caravan when they left. He always was every other year. Disobedience was not an option.
43 When they had finished the days, as they returned, the Boy Jesus lingered behind in Jerusalem. And [l]Joseph and His mother did not know it; 44 but supposing Him to have been in the company, they went a day’s journey, and sought Him among their relatives and acquaintances. 45 So when they did not find Him, they returned to Jerusalem, seeking Him. 46 Now so it was that after three days they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both listening to them and asking them questions. 47 And all who heard Him were astonished at His understanding and answers (Luke 2).
Mary Awakened to the Will of God
Here Jesus sat listening and asking questions. Most likely His questions were the kind that probed their hearts and minds, forcing them to think deeply. But Mary and Joseph were a bit frustrated. They had to leave the caravan and walk back to Jerusalem in search of Him. Imagine the anxiety of having lost your child in a very crowded city, filled with people who had come from everywhere. Then, imagine if you were responsible to care for the son of God and lost Him. Ok, we can understand their frustration. And as is typical, their first thought is what they said. “Jesus, why did you do this to us?”
48 So when they saw Him, they were amazed; and His mother said to Him, “Son, why have You done this to us? Look, your father and I have sought You anxiously.”49 And He said to them, “Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business?” 50 But they did not understand the statement which He spoke to them.
Let me also place the response here as noted in other translations and take you back to the Greek; because this is so important what Christ had to say. Then I will try to explain both the significance and how it was Mary and Joseph must surrender to the Will of God.
49 But[es] he replied,[et] “Why were you looking for me?[eu] Didn’t you know that I must be in my Father’s house? (Luke 2, NET)
- Luke 2:49 tn Or “I must be about my Father’s business” (so KJV, NKJV); Grk “in the [things] of my Father,” with an ellipsis.
Full Surrender to the Will of God
Suddenly after twelve years of being the mother of Jesus in a position of authority, she suddenly awakens to the truth that He belongs to God. One day she would have to bow before Him as Savior, just as anyone else would. But when? This must have stabbed her in the heart. Although He loved her with a more perfect love than any mother has ever known (because He is God and knows how to love perfectly with no selfish desires). Still, He was to be about His Father’s business. Oh, imagine His seeing the lambs sacrificed knowing He was the Sacrificial lamb. I daresay Mary did not know that would be the fate. It would have made her task too hard.
But to Mary and Joseph, they would need to surrender to the Will of God again fully. Jesus was not theirs to keep forever. Look at what He said later.
“31 Then[bb] Jesus’[bc] mother and his brothers[bd] came. Standing[be] outside, they sent word to him, to summon him. 32 A crowd was sitting around him and they said to him, “Look, your mother and your brothers[bf] are outside looking for you.” 33 He answered them and said, “Who are my mother and my brothers?”[bg] 34 And looking at those who were sitting around him in a circle, he said, “Here[bh] are my mother and my brothers! 35 For whoever does the will of God is[bi] my brother and sister and mother” (Mark 3).
Only those who surrender to the will of God could be called brother, sister, or mother. Can you imagine how Mary felt standing outside that door? But she too needed Him as Savior, as the son of God.
Surrendered to the Will of God
51 Then He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was [m]subject to them, but His mother kept all these things in her heart. 52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men. (Luke 2).
How could Jesus grow in favor with God? Every year that passed, marked another year of obedience and surrender. He faced every temptation known to man and did not sin. God’s perfect love for His son must have grown to a magnitude incomprehensible. From perfect love to perfect love in the maximum degree.
5 So also Christ did not glorify himself in becoming high priest, but the one who glorified him was God,[g] who said to him, “You are my Son! Today I have fathered you,”[h] 6 as also in another place God[i] says, “You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.”[j] 7 During his earthly life[k] Christ[l] offered[m] both requests and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to the one who was able to save him from death and he was heard because of his devotion. 8 Although he was a son, he learned obedience through the things he suffered.[n] 9 And by being perfected in this way, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him, 10 and he was designated[o] by God as high priest in the order of Melchizedek.[p] (Hebrews 5 NET)
Imagine the patience it took, listening to people who misinterpreted the word and knowing the truth.
So, How do We Surrender to the Will of God?
- Trusting in Him
- Waiting on Him
- Knowing His ways are not our ways; but He knows what is best
- Resting on His Heart of Love
- Studying His Word
- And just as Jesus taught us, spend time with Him alone in prayer and fellowship every day
- Never forget Jesus as your first love—keep your love for Him fresh, vibrant and alive.
DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR AND LORD?
If you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord: I urge you to go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link. There is nothing more important than this; because He is the way, the truth and the life. Therefore, I urge you to seek Him today.
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Disclosures
©Effie Darlene Barba, 2020
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. Furthermore, I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned except for my own books. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.
Credits
New English Translation (NET)
NET Bible® copyright ©1996-2017 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. http://netbible.com All rights reserved.