Read Luke 2.41-50
Joseph and Mary leave Jerusalem at the conclusion of the Feast of the Passover and head home. “…After spending the full number of days…” they had met their religious obligation. But “the boy Jesus stayed behind.” A full day into their trek home His parents realize He was missing. Another three days of searching reveled He had never left the Temple. His parents may have been done performing their religious duties, but He had only begun. His response to His emotionally drained parents was matter of fact, “…Why is it that you were looking for Me? Did you not know that I had to be in My Father's house?" (Lk 2:49) When the prescribed days were finished, Jesus wasn’t. Are we just paying our dues or does our relationship with the Father cause us to linger? Is being with Jesus more than fulfilling an obligation? FJ12a
