Epiphany 1
Text: Luke 2:41-52
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
The 2021 Virginia governor’s race turned out to be one of the most watched in the country. Particularly for a comment made by one of the candidates during a debate regarding the relationship between schools and parents. The candidate said, "I don't think parents should be telling schools what they should teach."
It was a statement that ignited a firestorm and failed to resonate with parents of school-age children as the race for governor came to a close.
For at least a moment, I’d like to say the outrage and demand to be involved in a child’s education led Virginia to become Lutheran, believing in what we call vocation and the office of father and mother. Lutherans have long held the Fourth Commandment in great esteem and as the first and greatest commandment of the second table of the Law.
The Large Catechism says, “To the position of fatherhood and motherhood, God has given special distinction above all positions that are beneath it.”
Fathers and mothers are to do as the Proverb says, “Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it.” (22:6)
Easier said than done.
Even Mary and Joseph had their struggles. But then, as we heard in the Gospel, they left Jesus in Jerusalem and began their journey home to Nazareth with friends and relatives. Maybe it was the conversations between their traveling company that distracted them, maybe their minds were on the tasks or the work that awaited them once they returned home, or perhaps it was cultural – that parents didn't need to have tabs on their children at all times.
Nonetheless, could you imagine their worry and anxiousness when they couldn’t find Jesus – they couldn’t locate the Son, God, their heavenly Father entrusted to their care.
Following the Fourth Commandment, we also understand that children are entrusted to our care. How would you react if your child went missing?
A challenge is that many children do not travel with their parents throughout life, they do not go in the way of the Proverb, the way of faith, a world and culture is waiting to mold and lead them away from the Christian faith. Maybe this happened to some of you as you went off to college, the military, or simply travel the world before settling down.
But is it always the child’s fault when they do not journey with their parents and family? Or has the parent, grandparent, Godparents, or even the Church left the child behind?
I believe an essential question of our day is, have you the same vigor over the education and nourishment of the Christian faith as you do over the education and wisdom of this world?
Do you approach the theological education of children the same way you approach the core subjects of a liberal arts education or the extracurriculars or music programs you desire your children to be in…
It's easy to say yes, but it's hard to honestly examine oneself and admit no.
Unfortunately, many of us leave this sanctuary of God on Sunday, and we leave Jesus here “to be about [His] Father’s business…."
Often when a child wanders from the family, the parents join in the voices of Mary and Joseph, “Son, why have You done this to us? Look, Your father and I have sought You anxiously.”
No one doubts the distress and anxiousness a parent feels when a child grows and goes missing or departs the faith, it’s a pain and suffering of great spiritual and mental turmoil. The conversations that follow between child and parent might be met with words of regret. Words of greater harm.
But Jesus’ Words today to His earthly parents are not our words but are words for us. He says to Mary and Joseph, “Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business?” Luke 2:49
These words of Jesus reveal why He came into the flesh that first Christmas in the first place, to be about His heavenly Father’s business, His Will.
Mary and Joseph did not understand. They could not comprehend this statement by their Son. At the moment, they were consumed by earthly terror and distress, much like we have become by the terrors and the things that cause pain throughout this earthly life.
But Jesus does His Father's will, and upon the cross, He suffers the terrors of this life, even death itself, that you and your family may have life, eternal life. And this is ultimately why we “Train up a child in the way he should go…." So as the child grows, they won't depart but receive life in Christ Jesus. It's why Elias was baptized this day, to be consecrated, set aside as God's own child, and placed on the way that leads to eternal life.
Look, we are not absent from living in this world. We do not live in convents and monasteries. We live in the world while being in Christ Jesus.
Raising children and a family is complicated. Naturally, we desire the best for them, which means we should, above all else, want them to be raised in the way of the cross – to know how to respond to adversity and hardship, to cling to their faith even more when the way of life and the world around them appears to be inescapable.
But, a child will seldom stand a chance in this world if the fear and love of God are not foremost in their daily education and continually nourished through our words and action throughout the day and as we all rise in the morning and lay our heads down at night.
We must ensure we don't leave here today and journey one day, three days, or six days before realizing Jesus remains in the temple. Instead, we must understand and pray for the Holy Spirit to continually point and lead us to know where God’s temple now resides.
When Jesus said, “[I will] Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” He spoke of Himself because His Father’s Will was carried out in and through His death and resurrection.
Jesus became the temple. Where He is, there the temple of God is found, which means as we gather around our tables and this altar to hear His Word, we keep His sabbath not only today but throughout the days of the week until we gather again.
When this happens, we no longer find ourselves journeying away from our Immanuel but rejoicing in how He is now dwelling with us, growing in us, and leading us into the way of eternal life…
As you live and journey through this world, a world that continues to be hostile toward Christ and His Church, treasure God’s Word in your hearts. Rejoice in your vocations as children, parents, and members of this congregation – the body of Christ.
Pray for one another and help one another as you are able, that we may all remain obedient to God's Word, growing in His wisdom, that we may all confess our Saviors Word and His grace in our homes and before all men, unto the day when He returns for us. +INJ+
The peace of God, which passes all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Amen.
Rev. Noah J. Rogness
Associate Pastor, Immanuel Evangelical-Lutheran Church
