Sunday, December 29, 2002
Sunday, December 29, 2002
The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was
upon him.
"The picture we get," says Reverend Griffin, "is of parents who were astonished at their son's
actions and of a son who was totally obedient to his parents when he got home. What is missing
from the story--and accounts for that missing 18 years in Jesus' life--is that his Jewish mother
was more than a little peeved at her son's taking off on his own. So, when they finally did arrive
home, she told him: `Son, you're grounded for the next 18 years.' And obedient son that he
was...."
I doubt that Mary grounded Jesus for eighteen years. Listen to what Luke tells us even before
Jesus 12th birthday: "And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of
God was on him." (v. 40) And here is what Luke says about Jesus' teen years: "And Jesus
increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man." (v. 51)
Jesus was a good kid. We have some good kids around us and in our churches. Maybe we
ought to take this opportunity to tell our young people how proud we are of them. There are some
boys and girls who are growing in favor with God and with their family and friends--and we are
so thankful for you!
(Luke 2.40
NRSV)
There was a humorous story in the JOYFUL NOISELETTER sometime back. The Reverend
Paul Griffin of Downieville, CA, was working with his staff on a children's summer camp. The
theme was "Children of God." They were also studying the story of Jesus' excursion to the
Temple. Pastor Griffin said that they began to wonder what happened to Jesus between the
ages of 12 and 30, the start of his adult ministry.
Loving God, thank you for our young people who are following in the footsteps of Jesus. Amen.
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