Seeing Jesus Differently

41 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 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?” 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 and in favor with God and man. (Luke 2)

Joseph and Mary had been entrusted with the care of Jesus. Now, twelve, Jesus had come to a point where he was somewhat considered a spiritual "adult", and expected to act as such. There was no such thing as the transition of being a teenager or adolescent; you began to take more responsibility for oneself. When Jesus came up AWOL, His parents began the search, only to find Him exactly where they should have.  Observing Jesus TEACHING the teachers in the temple, before they say anything, "when His parents saw Him, they were astoninshed."  What a reaction to Jesus. They saw Him differently than before. Had He changed overnight? Doubtfully. They were now able to see Him more for Who he really was.  Often, we can get into this rut of thinking we have seen everything there is to see and know about Jesus. We need to keep coming back to see more of Who He is, what He does, and how we fit into His life.  Then, we, like Mary, will treasure these things in our hearts, and appreciate Him more.