Christ's Life Prior to His Ministry II: Section 16

Section 16
JESUS LIVING AT NAZARETH AND VISITING JERUSALEM IN HIS TWELFTH YEAR (Nazareth and Jerusalem, A. D. 7 or 8.)
LUKE 2: 40-52

More cognitive dissonance--how is it that Mary and Joseph don't understand why their 12 year old son would hang out in the temple?  Joseph had four dreams with visions of angels.  Mary had a direct visit with an angel.  Both were aware of her conception without intercourse.  I struggle with their cluelessness here.  Did they forget all of the early circumstances?

Matthew Henry's comments here help in this regard:
"It was his errand into the world, and his meat and drink in the world, to do his Father's will, and finish his work: and yet at that time his parents understood not this saying, Luk_2:50. They did not understand what business he had to do then in the temple for his Father. They believed him to be the Messiah, that should have the throne of his father David; but they thought that should rather bring him to the royal palace than to the temple. They understood not his prophetical office; and he was to do much of his work in that."


2:49 The Lord's answer, His first recorded words, show that He was fully aware of His identity as the Son of God, and of His divine mission as well. “Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father's business?” She said, “Your father and I.” He said, “My Father's business.” -Believer's Bible
Jon Courson notes "Because Mary referred to Joseph as His father, Jesus will give a reminder to His mother…"

Jesus answers the cry of the soul by telling us, that our Father’s business is the highest work of humanity.  -BI, W. Birch

Comments