Miraculous Moments: Day #7 My Father's House

      Miraculous Moments

Lent 2025: Day #7

"'But what about you?' he [Jesus] asked. 'Who do you say I am?'" 
~Matthew 16:15

We are seven days into Lent, and hopefully, we have established some routines as we continue our deep dive to determine a confident response to Jesus' question recorded in Matthew. Who do we say Jesus is? Let's look at one more passage regarding Jesus' childhood, and then we will recap what we have uncovered so far. 

Luke 2:41-51

"Every year Jesus' parents went to Jerusalem for the festival of the Passover. When he was twelve years old, they went up to the festival, according to the custom. After the festival was over, while his parents were returning home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but they were unaware of it. Thinking he was in their company, they traveled on for a day. Then they began looking for him among their relatives and friends. When they did not find him, they went back to Jerusalem to look for him. After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers. When his parents saw him, they were astonished. His mother said to him, 'Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you.'

'Why were you searching for me?' he asked. 'Didn't you know I had to be in my Father's house?'

Okay, so if we think like Mary and Joseph, our first concern is for Jesus' safety. Once we realize he is safe, he gets the scolding--"What were you thinking?"

Jesus' response isn't the typical response we hear today, "I don't know..." muttered sheepishly. Jesus' response was centered around his divinity: "...I had to be in my Father's house." 

We also cannot neglect the details of the encounter with the teachers in the temple and the impression Jesus made upon them: "Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers."

So, to re-cap. If we had to answer the question based upon what we have read so far, who do we say Jesus is?

Our response might be a jumble of details: Creation, the Word, fulfilled prophecies, Wise Men, a threatened king, words from wise elders, and compliments from teachers at the temple. 

I am having trouble articulating a response the question. Actually, a verse that comes to mind is one that is recorded in Luke:

"But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart." ~Luke 2:19

Let's continue to process who Jesus is as we read about his baptism and ministry in the days to come. For now we will close with one last verse about his childhood.

Luke 2:52

"And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man."

Almighty God, We are so very grateful for the records regarding Jesus' birth and childhood. Thank You for sending Your Son. Thank You for Your plan for our forgiveness. Your Word says if anyone lacks wisdom, the person should ask. Lord, we ask for wisdom in being able to articulate who You are. We seek this knowledge in order to glorify You, Lord God. In Jesus' Name. Amen. 

"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." 

~Hebrews 13:8