Submit-Unto
by David Wright
Every year Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem for the Festival of the Passover. When he was twelve years old, they went up to the festival, according to the custom. After the festival was over, while his parents were returning home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but they were unaware of it. Thinking he was in their company, they traveled on for a day. Then they began looking for him among their relatives and friends. When they did not find him, they went back to Jerusalem to look for him. After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers. When his parents saw him, they were astonished. His mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you.”
“Why were you searching for me?” he asked. “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?” But they did not understand what he was saying to them.
Then he went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. But his mother treasured all these things in her heart. And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.
Luke 2.41-52 (NIV, emphasis added)
I was, and I guess even today still am, more or less a rule-follower. I did not want to offend, hurt, or ruffle the feathers of any. But when I was twelve, I remember I was quick-tongued, quick-witted and often gave my Mom and Dad an earful. Whether it was homework, chores, or simply my lack of willingness to share my stuff with my younger brother, I may have lapsed into less than great behavior. I heard Dad say more than once, “because I say so!” And young David would move in the right direction.
It is certainly unfair to compare 12-year-old David to 12-year-old Jesus. I am certain the one who was the Word from the beginning is going to come out on top. But He set a standard that we all would do well to emulate no matter our age.
Mary and Joseph and their extended family headed home from Jerusalem and discovered after some time, Jesus was missing! Surely an anxious Mary exclaimed multiple times, “Where is my son? Where is Jesus? We must find Jesus!”
Well, they found him in the Temple among teachers, listening and asking questions. Upon finding their son, Mary scolded young Jesus (GOD WITH US!). In reply, He simply asked why they were surprised to find Him “in His Father’s House.” That was the full extent of His pushback. Beyond that response, Jesus did not play the “Who are you to question the creator of the universe and more?” line. We are told in Luke 2:51 that Jesus joined the family caravan back to Nazareth “and was obedient to them.”
That word obedient in Greek is Hupotasso (ὑποτάσσω) which means to put myself into submission. In this case, a twelve-year-old Jesus submitted Himself unto His mother and father, both of whom had submitted to God the Father when they were visited by angelic messengers to guide them regarding the impending arrival of a baby nearly 13 years before. No doubt, Mary and Joseph knew they were overseers for a precious and holy child.
As we serve our King Jesus, let us submit ourselves to one another out of reverence for Him.
