Luke 2 captures the only moment we know of Jesus’ childhood outside of the birth narrative. At age 12 he was in his last year before preparing to enter into the Jewish religious customs as an adult and yet something striking happens. He ends up in his heavenly Father’s house, the temple, and is literally blowing the teachers’ minds with his questions & understanding.

Keeping that in perspective I think it is important that we go back and notice the bookend verses for this reading -- vv 40 and 52. Both before this Passover trip and after Jesus is said to be growing. Obviously physically but also in wisdom, in favor with God and others. He was growing relationally, physically, emotionally and spiritually. This tells us that even though Jesus is GOD and was demonstrating such wisdom and understanding at the Temple -- he still had to grow, but also grow in his relationship with His Father and in wisdom. He did not start with all knowledge which is what makes his declaration in v 49 so powerful, because he knew his Father and thus, his mission. YET, he is still described as pursuing & growing in wisdom and his relationship with God. He still sat down in the temple to ask questions & learn. He still set out to deepen his understanding as he grew into a man.

I believe Luke is telling us that as Jesus grew in stature, He also set out to Know His Father, His Word, and His Mission. Knowing our Father has been something God is consistently revealing to me the importance of. I have not arrived in my relationship with Him nor even if i know my mission does it mean to stop pursuing knowing Him. Jesus did. And even until the night before his crucifixion Jesus stepped into relationship with the Father to deepen Knowing Him. What does it say about me or us if we think we Know God enough? How will you Know the Father; what do you do in your relationship with Him? Recently someone shared with me that it doesn’t have to look like “study time” or “quiet time” but more of inviting Him into something I’m doing like having a dance party with the kids or doing bedtime with Matthew. How will you invite Him into your life as you journey towards Knowing Your Father deeper so that you may be described as “growing in wisdom & stature, and in favor with God and men”?