Eyewitnesses of his Majesty Luke 2:41-51

What strikes me in the narrative of the boy Jesus at the temple is Jesus' purposefulness.

His parents were astonished by his actions. His mother rebuked him "Why have you treated us so?"

Throughout his ministry well meaning people would be astonished at him. They didn't understand what he was doing, and would rebuke him. Later his own family thought he was crazy (Mark 3:21). Peter told him "Far be it from you, Lord! This shall never happen to you."

Jesus rebuked Peter saying, "For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man."

But Jesus' mind was always on the things of God. In his thoughts and actions he was focused on pleasing the Father.

In our narrative he had to be in the temple about his Father's business. He knew that God had given him works to accomplish, and that at that time his work was to listen to and enlighten the teachers of his people.

Jesus said, "I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me."(John 6:38)

He is the ultimate example of submission. He gave himself up completely to the Father's will: Not my will, but your will be done.

Let us have this same heart. Let us have the same action. Totally submitting ourselves to God's will loving him with all our heart, soul, and mind.

If we do this we will have purpose. If we do this the world will be astonished.

Luke 8:21 But he answered them, “My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and do it.”