Sit with God

On this first Sunday after Christmas, we take a cue from Jesus. We stop, and we sit in the presence of God. Ensure that you take some time today, and over the course of this coming week, to stop and sit with God. 

Scripture: Luke 2: 41-52

Our scripture reading today doesn’t give us a lot of time to absorb the birth of Jesus. We jump to 12-year-old Jesus and his families pilgrimage to Jerusalem for Passover. Given the structure of the calendar and the lectionary cycle, the passage today from Luke might give us a bit of whiplash. We are taken from the manager, away from the shepherds and angels and find ourselves some 100km south in Jerusalem.

The passage is meant to give us some insight into the wisdom of Jesus. To understand perhaps a little bit of what his childhood might have been like. We could say that he was rebellious towards his parents. Yet, despite not going back with the caravan to Nazareth, we are presented with a Jesus who we are told is obedient and who grows in wisdom and favour. The scene foreshadows other scenes that come later in scripture where we will again see the obedience and wisdom of Christ.

Yes, Jesus might have been disobedient to his parents by remaining in the temple instead of coming home. It is also easy to focus on the worry of Mary and Joseph. What parent hasn’t momentarily lost sight of their child and experienced that panicked feeling. Mary and Jsoeph know who Jesus is and how important he is. Can you imagine losing the son of God? If they made a movie of it, I imagine it might go down a bit like Home Alone, lots of antics and scenes where Mary and Joseph just miss Jesus.

However, considering the times we are in right now I think we can focus on one very simple thing. Jesus chose to remain at the temple. Jesus chose to sit and spend time with God.

I imagine there may still be some busyness in your schedule for the coming week. But might I encourage you to sit, ponder, reflect and pray. Take some time to be still with God. Amen.