“Mary the Mother” Part 5 – Nothing to see here.

Once Mary and Joseph settle back in their native land, in the town of Nazareth they disappear from scripture for what may have been seven or eight years. Traditionally they were thought to have been in Egypt for about 4 years, meaning Jesus would have been around 4, maybe 5.  At the time of the next incident that we read about in scripture Jesus is 12.

There is nothing in the inspired scripture about the early childhood of Jesus. Maybe it was simply a normal childhood of those times. We know that siblings came along – four brothers (James, Joses, Simon and Judas) as well as at least two sisters. [See Matthew 13:55-56] Perhaps He learned carpentry with His adoptive father, Joseph. Maybe He and His siblings played games together. Maybe He helped with a garden or animals. He learned the Old Testament scripture (that He had inspired) and history of the Israelite people, whom He had guided in the Old Testament times.

Maybe the family was just a family in very many ways. Maybe Satan simply bided his time until Jesus was ready for His ministry. Or perhaps Satan was prevented from doing any of the things he might have wanted to try – held back by the Father so that the Son could grow up into the One who would take on the one act that would allow the tectonic shift in mankind’s destiny.

It feels like the inspired silence as though the Father said, “nothing to see here”.

But we do get to look in on one incident between the return from Egypt and Jesus beginning His earthly ministry at around age 30.

Luke 2:41-50 [NLT] 41 Every year Jesus' parents went to Jerusalem for the Passover festival. 42 When Jesus was twelve years old, they attended the festival as usual. 43 After the celebration was over, they started home to Nazareth, but Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents didn't miss him at first, 44 because they assumed he was among the other travelers. But when he didn't show up that evening, they started looking for him among their relatives and friends. 45 When they couldn't find him, they went back to Jerusalem to search for him there. 46 Three days later they finally discovered him in the Temple, sitting among the religious teachers, listening to them and asking questions. 47 All who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. 48 His parents didn't know what to think. "Son," his mother said to him, "why have you done this to us? Your father and I have been frantic, searching for you everywhere." 49 "But why did you need to search?" he asked. "Didn't you know that I must be in my Father's house?" 50 But they didn't understand what he meant.

If I were to view this from a modern viewpoint, I’d paraphrase Jesus’ response to His parents into something like, “There’s nothing to see here. I’m just doing my job.” We don’t know the tone of voice Jesus used or exactly how His words fell on Mary and Joseph’s ears. But it seems clear that He didn’t think it was a big deal to have chosen time in the house of God over time with His human family.

Mary and Joseph were parents, though, and had the natural sense of panic that any of us would. Mary and Joseph were told that Jesus was the coming Messiah. So, I doubt they were confused by Jesus feeling called to be in the temple - His Father’s house.  

The New King James puts it this way: Luke 2:49-50 [NKJV] 49 And He said to them, "Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father's business?" 50 But they did not understand the statement which He spoke to them.

Perhaps they did not understand what business a 12-year-old would have in the temple. Or why Jesus thought they’d know to look there first.

Luke 2:51-52 [NLT] 51 Then He returned to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. And His mother stored all these things in her heart. 52 Jesus grew in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and all the people.

Though she didn’t understand it, Mary kept this event and Jesus’ words in her heart with other things she did not fully understand.

We have to do that too. When we don’t immediately understand the word of God or an incident, a trial, or an answer (or lack of one), we should keep it stored inside and consider it in light of other things that come after.

Mary would have plenty more incidents and sayings to ponder once her child and our Savior began His earthly ministry. Perhaps this incident came to mind the next time she saw Him in the temple, teaching. But for now, they went home for 18 more silent years. Maybe they were largely peaceful and normal. Nothing to see here.

Luke 2:51-52 [NLT] 51 Then He returned to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. And His mother stored all these things in her heart. 52 Jesus grew in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and all the people.

But time was marching inexorably forward toward the inevitable showdown between the Good Shepherd and the pretenders. The Light and the darkness. Sin and salvation.

Just because we don’t see anything of the life of Jesus and Mary doesn’t mean that the stage wasn’t being set and devilish plans being made to try to thwart the plan of God.

When the story emerges on the other side of this quiet, Joseph is dead and Jesus’ time is short. But mamma Mary will be with her child, the Son of God, until His last human breath. Until her heart breaks and perhaps she calls to mind the words of Simeon at the dedication of Jesus in the temple, “And a sword will pierce your very soul”. [Like 2:35]

Nothing to see here in these intervening years. We, too, can and do often enjoy a time of quiet between trails and troubles. It is a great blessing to just have nothing special going on and to live our lives growing and serving and preparing ourselves. In those cases, we should not think there is nothing going on in the spirit realm. There may be battles. Satan is certainly making plans to attack. And God is most assuredly working with us as we rest between battles and major event. We should trust in that.

In the case of Jesus, we know the plan was in play, the stage was being set, and He was being prepared for the battle for our very souls. Big things are about to happen in the life of Jesus and in the plan of God. And in Mary’s life too. Her mother’s heart is set to be broken in two, as much of the world around her rejoices.

We have more to learn from Mary the mother of our Savior. Thanks for coming along with me on this journey.

You can write me now in the chat, or any time at Nancy@DymanicChristianMinistries.org.