A better ending...It is one of those weeks when I can't let go of last weeks sermon until I write a better ending. This particular sermon was delivered on the occasion of the baptism of Anders Berend Koop Elson. Now it's time to put this sermon too bed.
The text is Luke 2:41-52. It is the story of Jesus at 12 when his parents lost him for 3 days in busy Jerusalem during passover.
The story is one that we think Luke received from Mary (where else would it come from?). The story is about Jesus' "human" days with his human family. My reading of the text makes me think this could have been the story of many Jewish families who where raising their children up in the Faith; an exposer to the stories of the faith at an early age, participation in the life of the synagogue and it's people, going up with the community for the yearly celebration of Passover. A devote family indeed but not unusual in their village. It was their way of life... it was their life and it is in this climate that Jesus was being reared.
Now one of my questions of this text is why, of all the stories that could be told of Jesus' growing up years, did Luke decide to put this one in his "orderly account" of the life of Jesus?
I have two responses.
For one, Jesus was found, after three days, totally lost in the Stories. This is a 12 year old boy who did not find the stories of his faith unwanted homework but a fascinating and living history of God's (his father's) redemptive work in the world. It was the time of Passover and the stories of the Exodus where being told and discussed. I think it was Jesus' fresh reading of God's powerful and faithful action to save his people against all human odds that amazed those who heard his joy and insights.
In Jesus' day, a mother taught her son for the first couple of years. As a young child the father would take over this teaching responsibility. At 12 a boy moved into adulthood. Now his teacher became the text, those old stories of God's redemptive work in his world; the work of love and justice - of compassion and grace - of freedom and faithful service. It was this text that was to lead him as he entered into the work of his Father in the world.
I also think Luke included this story of Jesus at 12 to engage the all important 12 year old audience. What 12 year old, who has been given the opportunity to "wonder" about this story, has not delighted in the contours of how it plays out; on his own for three days in the big city, impressing everyone with his wit and insights, even the freedom to respond to his parents with a little 12 year old "I know it all" sarcasm. Mary reminds us that he was a good boy (he was obedient to them) but Luke reminds us he was a 12 year old in all the glory of one coming to himself as he grows up in the wisdom and knowledge of God. What a role model to have at 12! I think Luke wanted more 12 year olds (and kids in general) getting up close and personal with this amazing Jesus.
So the new ending... You can check out the recording of the sermon to hear the new end (when I get it posted). I got so crazy about what I missed that I went back in the studio (well the sanctuary) to rerecord.
Enjoy... and as always drop me an email, or call me, and let me know what you think.
Recording coming soon...
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