The boy Jesus, age 12, tarried among the teachers in the temple at Jerusalem for three days after the Passover, listening, astonishing, questioning and amazing them and his parents, who had later returned to find him there, after a day's journey. His parents had "assumed" he was among the other boys with family and friends, as they returned to Nazareth. But, instead, he was on and about his "Father's business" he explained, in expressing surprise at their anxiety as to his whereabouts.
Mama made me join church at age 12, in accordance with her Southern family tradition that my soul was her responsibility until then; thereafter, it was my own. She based her decision on Luke 2, when Jesus, then 12, listened to and questioned the doctors, teachers, and learned men in the Temple at Jerusalem following the Passover. Luke 2:41-52.
Age twelve is a transitional age from boyhood to manhood biologically and spiritually. That is the message of this Biblical account. Boys and girls straddle two worlds at this time. My mother recognized that this distinction was more than literal, so in keeping with her Southern family tradition she handed me off; in effect, passed me on in a "Rite of Passage," invested in scripture. She repeated this process with each of my 7 younger siblings.
Although Mama's tradition was Baptist, and our church was Christian Methodist Episcopal or CME, denominations did not matter with her or my father, who was raised in the Methodist tradition.
Important lessons to be found here are many. To name but a few: parents are like booster rockets, who fall away when the "child" attains maturity, inevitably. For a child to grow in spiritual and mental maturity, it must separate and distance itself; it must tarry and immerse itself among the learned: teachers and doctors, listening; questioning; learning and sharing his/her unique gifts with them, which will impress and amaze, as they are fresh and direct from God. In this way, the children will grow in wisdom, respect and renown with Man and with God in due time.
Luke 2:41-5221st Century King James Version (KJ21)
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 to Jerusalem according to the custom of the Feast.
43 And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and His mother knew not of it.
44 But they, supposing Him to have been in the company, went a day’s journey; and they sought Him among their kinsfolk and acquaintances.
45 And when they found Him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking Him.
46 And it came to pass that after three days they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them and asking them questions.
47 And all who heard Him were astonished at His understanding and answers.
48 And when they saw Him they were amazed, and His mother said unto Him, “Son, why hast Thou thus dealt with us? Behold, Thy father and I have sought Thee sorrowing.”
49 And He said unto them, “How is it that ye sought Me? Knew ye not that I must be about My Father’s business?”
50 And they understood not the saying which He spoke unto them.
51 And He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them. But His mother kept all these things in her heart.
52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.
Sunday, September 28, 2014
MY SOUTHERN FAMILY TRADITION AND BOY JESUS
My Southern family Tradition and Boy Jesus
The boy Jesus, age 12, tarried among the teachers in the temple at Jerusalem for three days after the Passover, listening, astonishing, questioning and amazing them and his parents, who had later returned to find him there, after a day's journey. His parents had "assumed" he was among the other boys with family and friends, as they returned to Nazareth. But, instead, he was on and about his "Father's business" he explained, in expressing surprise at their anxiety as to his whereabouts.
Mama made me join church at age 12, in accordance with her Southern family tradition that my soul was her responsibility until then; thereafter, it was my own. She based her decision on Luke 2, when Jesus, then 12, listened to and questioned the doctors, teachers, and learned men in the Temple at Jerusalem following the Passover. Luke 2:41-52.
Age twelve is a transitional age from boyhood to manhood biologically and spiritually. That is the message of this Biblical account. Boys and girls straddle two worlds at this time. My mother recognized that this distinction was more than literal, so in keeping with her Southern family tradition she handed me off; in effect, passed me on in a "Rite of Passage," invested in scripture. She repeated this process with each of my 7 younger siblings.
Although Mama's tradition was Baptist, and our church was Christian Methodist Episcopal or CME, denominations did not matter with her or my father, who was raised in the Methodist tradition.
Important lessons to be found here are many. To name but a few: parents are like booster rockets, who fall away when the "child" attains maturity, inevitably. For a child to grow in spiritual and mental maturity, it must separate and distance itself; it must tarry and immerse itself among the learned: teachers and doctors, listening; questioning; learning and sharing his/her unique gifts with them, which will impress and amaze, as they are fresh and direct from God. In this way, the children will grow in wisdom, respect and renown with Man and with God in due time.
Luke 2:41-5221st Century King James Version (KJ21)
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 to Jerusalem according to the custom of the Feast.
43 And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and His mother knew not of it.
44 But they, supposing Him to have been in the company, went a day’s journey; and they sought Him among their kinsfolk and acquaintances.
45 And when they found Him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking Him.
46 And it came to pass that after three days they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them and asking them questions.
47 And all who heard Him were astonished at His understanding and answers.
48 And when they saw Him they were amazed, and His mother said unto Him, “Son, why hast Thou thus dealt with us? Behold, Thy father and I have sought Thee sorrowing.”
49 And He said unto them, “How is it that ye sought Me? Knew ye not that I must be about My Father’s business?”
50 And they understood not the saying which He spoke unto them.
51 And He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them. But His mother kept all these things in her heart.
52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.
The boy Jesus, age 12, tarried among the teachers in the temple at Jerusalem for three days after the Passover, listening, astonishing, questioning and amazing them and his parents, who had later returned to find him there, after a day's journey. His parents had "assumed" he was among the other boys with family and friends, as they returned to Nazareth. But, instead, he was on and about his "Father's business" he explained, in expressing surprise at their anxiety as to his whereabouts.
Mama made me join church at age 12, in accordance with her Southern family tradition that my soul was her responsibility until then; thereafter, it was my own. She based her decision on Luke 2, when Jesus, then 12, listened to and questioned the doctors, teachers, and learned men in the Temple at Jerusalem following the Passover. Luke 2:41-52.
Age twelve is a transitional age from boyhood to manhood biologically and spiritually. That is the message of this Biblical account. Boys and girls straddle two worlds at this time. My mother recognized that this distinction was more than literal, so in keeping with her Southern family tradition she handed me off; in effect, passed me on in a "Rite of Passage," invested in scripture. She repeated this process with each of my 7 younger siblings.
Although Mama's tradition was Baptist, and our church was Christian Methodist Episcopal or CME, denominations did not matter with her or my father, who was raised in the Methodist tradition.
Important lessons to be found here are many. To name but a few: parents are like booster rockets, who fall away when the "child" attains maturity, inevitably. For a child to grow in spiritual and mental maturity, it must separate and distance itself; it must tarry and immerse itself among the learned: teachers and doctors, listening; questioning; learning and sharing his/her unique gifts with them, which will impress and amaze, as they are fresh and direct from God. In this way, the children will grow in wisdom, respect and renown with Man and with God in due time.
Luke 2:41-5221st Century King James Version (KJ21)
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 to Jerusalem according to the custom of the Feast.
43 And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and His mother knew not of it.
44 But they, supposing Him to have been in the company, went a day’s journey; and they sought Him among their kinsfolk and acquaintances.
45 And when they found Him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking Him.
46 And it came to pass that after three days they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them and asking them questions.
47 And all who heard Him were astonished at His understanding and answers.
48 And when they saw Him they were amazed, and His mother said unto Him, “Son, why hast Thou thus dealt with us? Behold, Thy father and I have sought Thee sorrowing.”
49 And He said unto them, “How is it that ye sought Me? Knew ye not that I must be about My Father’s business?”
50 And they understood not the saying which He spoke unto them.
51 And He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them. But His mother kept all these things in her heart.
52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.