My Father’s House
Luke 2: 42-49 (NIV)
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 travelled 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?’
Growing up, my favourite place to go for Christmas break was ‘Kumusha’ (the village). We’d pack our bags into the car early in the morning and set off on the three-hour journey. I loved 'going Kumusha' because it meant complete freedom - I could go and roam the countryside with my cousins, play in the river, spend time with family I hadn’t seen all year. Kumusha was my safe space. In the Shona language, Kumusha also translates to 'your roots, your origins', denoting not only a physical place but a sense of belonging and being part of a family.
When Mary and Joseph return to Jerusalem (no doubt in a panic) to look for the missing twelve-year-old Jesus, they find him at last in the temple courts among the teachers of the law, listening and asking questions. This would, in today’s education system, be like a year 7 child sitting in a lecture theatre full of postgraduate scientists, fully understanding the complex and advanced teaching and joining the debate!
Mary and Joseph were surprised that Jesus had stayed behind, as they would have expected him to have been among their family. But Jesus says confidently that he was compelled to be in his Father’s house. Even at that young age, Jesus knew his Father’s house was the best place he could be. The Father’s house is a place where God’s presence dwells, it is a place of belonging. Just as Jesus found safety and comfort in his Father’s house, we too can find safety, security, identity and belonging in God’s presence.
This Christmas, may we be found 'in our Father's house' both in fellowship with others and in our private, personal celebration of Jesus' incarnation.
Prayer- Father, remind us of what it looks like to dwell in your presence today and throughout this Christmas season. May we encounter you, Lord Jesus. Holy Spirit, remind us of the peace, safety and belonging that is found in God's presence.