Parenting the Messiah

Luke 2:52

And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man.

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The first two chapters of Luke provide some details about the birth and childhood of Jesus that were left out of Matthew's account: the foretelling and birth of John the Baptist, the songs of Zechariah and Mary, the blessings of Simeon and Anna, and the story of the 12 year old Jesus talking with the leaders in the Temple in Jerusalem. What struck me about these passages is what they reveal about Mary and Joseph as parents:

1. Jesus' parents offered him to the Lord. The custom of presenting your firstborn son at the Temple stretches back at least as far as the story of Hannah, who presented her son Samuel to the Lord at birth. Samuel went on to faithfully serve as a prophet in the time of King Saul and King David, revealing how pivotal a role his mother played in "lending" him to the Lord. The practical application for parents today: humbly offer your children to the Lord's purposes, for this will set a foundation for a lifetime of Christlikeness. Our children ultimately belong to God, not to us.

2. Jesus' parents earned his respect and submission. Verse 51 is amazing to think about - Jesus was submissive to his parents. But, this submission was earned by Mary and Joseph, not enforced or demanded. When they realize their son was missing, and find him in the Temple, Jesus receives a scolding. He responds with what may not appear to be a very submissive answer: "Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?" (Luke 2:49 ESV) But again, we must remember that our children are the Lord's first and ours second. Jesus was insisting on the primacy of his relationship to his Father in heaven and the business of serving him first. I would say that this passage, along with the several references to Mary treasuring things In her heart, actually speak to the fundamental care Jesus received from his parents, which in turn earned his trust and respect, rather then demanding it.

3. Jesus' parents contributed to a balanced, comprehensive vision of maturity. The final verse is such an easy to remember summary of the parenting mission. Wisdom, stature, favor with God, and favor with man. These goals encompass the dreams of every godly parent: intellectual maturity, physical care, spiritual growth as God's child, and social/emotional maturity in relation to other people. It's hard to think of a better parenting mission statement, and we have ample evidence that Jesus' parents were pivotal in the achievement of these goals, however imperfect they were as parents.

I pray for the humility, compassion, and balanced vision exemplified in this passage. May God have mercy to grant my children wisdom, stature, and favor with Him and others. Amen.