21/12/2025 - Matthew Destry
Jesus teaches us not only with words, but with his life. Even as a child. Even before the cross. Even before the resurrection. He teaches us how to be human before God.
Luke 2:41–52
Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover. 42 And when he was twelve years old, they went up according to custom. 43 And when the feast was ended, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents did not know it, 44 but supposing him to be in the group they went a day’s journey, but then they began to search for him among their relatives and acquaintances, 45 and when they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem, searching for him. 46 After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. 47 And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. 48 And when his parents[g] saw him, they were astonished. And his mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us so? Behold, your father and I have been searching for you in great distress.” 49 And he said to them, “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?”[h] 50 And they did not understand the saying that he spoke to them. 51 And he went down with them and came to Nazareth and was submissive to them. And his mother treasured up all these things in her heart.
52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature[i] and in favor with God and man.
one
Jesus teaches us by being close to the Father
“Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?”
Reflection questions
Where do I go when I’m confused?
What do I do when I don’t understand what God is doing?
Do I perform, or do I remain?
two
Jesus teaches us by submitting to ordinary obedience
“He went down with them and was obedient to them.”
Reflection questions
Where am I resisting the ordinary because I’m waiting for the extraordinary?
Where have I mistaken obscurity for insignificance?
three
Jesus teaches us by growing..
“And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and people.”
Reflection questions
Where am I more patient than I was?
Where am I more honest than I was?
Where am I more aware of my need for grace?
The child in the temple becomes the man on the cross.
The one who teaches us how to live by giving his life. The one who teaches us how to trust by entrusting himself to the Father. The one who teaches us how to die so that we might truly live.
