At the
age of twelve we find Jesus in the Temple
for the first time as an adult. It was during the
feast of the Passover, which after the death of Jesus became Easter or the
Christians. Jesus traveled with a huge group of friends and relatives, among
which were Mary and Joseph.
Though
only twelve he knew what a temple should offer; he knew who he was,
and that the Temple was built for Him and for every
soul who was searching salvation through the saving ordinances of the Temple! It is often hard
for us Christians to get a grip of, and understand, what was happening in the Temple in ancient times,
since every ordinance was a symbolic event for something very tangible in the
real life of a true Christian. But aside from the prophets there were none who
understood the meaning of the symbolism of the Temple in the olden times.
Whether
it was Jesus who sought out the best minds of the Temple, or it was noised abroad that there
was a young theologian there, we do not know. But there he was, not
only listening to them, but also teaching them. The King James Version of the
Bible declare their doctrinal mastery by calling them “Doctors”. But Jesus
didn’t fear teaching them the truths that he had learned from his mother, his
step-father, probably from Gabriel, the angel with a special assignment to
Jesus and his family, and most likely also from the Father and the Holy Spirit.
The entire process of learning and maturing up to this point of his life is
described with only these words by Luke;
40 And the child grew, and waxed strong in
spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him. (Luke 2:40)
It is
clear that the company that Jesus and his family traveled with to the Temple must have been very
large,
consisting of many close friends and relatives. How else could we understand
that Joseph and Mary didn’t notice for days that Jesus wasn’t with them going
home?
They
must have been absolutely confident that he was with friends and relatives, days on end, like he
had probably been before. He must have been an incredibly independent lad!
But a
passion greater than amusing himself with friends had taken over! Every youth loves to
talk to grown-ups on equal terms. And here, in the house of God, on the most
important subjects of all, that of eternal life and death, he was not only
equal, but already a teacher! As he taught them the truth, he must have had moments
of sheer joy! Perhaps the trials of his life had not started for him yet.
46 And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting
in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions.
47 And all that heard him were astonished
at his understanding and answers. (Luke 2:46-47)
Joseph
and Mary had to go back for three days! It’s
not like having forgotten something at home, having to drive back for 15
minutes and get it – three days! Walking and riding on a donkey, while everyone
else was going in the other direction. That must have really rubbed it in! And
then, finding Jesus in the Temple
would be like finding a 12-year-old boy in a huge, crowded place! No wonder if
Mary were somewhat worked up when she finally found her son;
48 And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou
thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have
sought thee sorrowing. (Luke 2:48)
Mary knew who was - and who wasn’t - Jesus’ father. Her words were nothing more than a practical statement built upon the fact
that Joseph was the day to day father who had taken upon himself all
responsibility for Jesus.
49 And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about
my Father's business?
50 And they understood not the
saying which he spake unto them.
51 And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject
unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart.
Nothing more is said about Jesus and the Temple before his actual
ministry is well on the way.
Knowing
the Temple in Jerusalem – Jesus disqualified it as being
the sanctuary that it should be. He knew that the Temple was meant to be ‘the
House of God’, the only edifice erected by man that God himself would not only enter,
but also find rest and call ‘Home’. Before the birth of Jesus, who would have
been the ‘God’ who would enter into the Temple
to commune with the presiding High Priest of the Church (who was Zechariah, the father of John the Baptist)? It
would have been no other than Jesus himself, under the name he bore in his
pre-mortal life with his Father; Jehovah.
When
Jesus saw a desecrated Temple,
a building that was erected unto his
name, he grew weary. His own people would not
listen to him (except for a few thousand), the officers set to manage the
affairs of the kingdom used their ecclesiastical positions to forward their
financial and political positions, and to oppress the poor and needy rather
than use the recourses of the offerings to alleviate suffering. The only hope
for the Hebrew Church to accept the fullness of the
Gospel of Jesus Christ had been John the Baptist, and he was now murdered. No
wonder Jesus said;
20 And Jesus saith
unto him, The foxes have holes, and the birds of the
air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head. (Matthew 8:20)
Jesus had many friends who would have him
stay with them for as long as he would have liked. He was not talking about a
pillow, a bed, or even a house as we know it. This was the sorrowful words of
Jesus that the Temple,
‘His House’, was no more his.
