“Good Students are Good Teachers and Vice-Versa”
Sermon based on Luke 2:41-52, Mark 11:15-18 and 12:13-17
Rev. Paul E. Capetz
Christ Church by the Sea (United Methodist),
Newport Beach

There is only one story in the entire New Testament about the childhood of Jesus. As a twelve-year-old boy, Jesus had come to Jerusalem with his parents to celebrate the Passover, when Jews commemorate the deliverance of the Hebrew slaves from Egyptian bondage under Moses’ leadership. But as the family headed back home to Nazareth once the holiday was over, Jesus was nowhere to be found among the company of travelers. In a panic, his parents raced back to Jerusalem to look for him. Three days later, Mary and Joseph finally found Jesus in the temple, discussing theological questions with “the teachers” whose company he had sought out (Luke 2:46). Not surprisingly, his mother scolded her son: “Why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been worried sick and looking everywhere for you!” (Luke 2:48). In reply, Jesus makes a puzzling remark: “Why were you looking for me? Didn’t you know I would be in my father’s house?” (Luke 2:49). Luke tells us that, although his parents didn’t understand what their son meant by these words, Mary “treasured all these things in her heart” (Luke 2:51). If I had been lost for 3 days when I was 12 years old only to have my parents find me sitting in a church talking about theology with the ministers, like Mary my mother might also have treasured these things in her heart, but I would certainly have been grounded for a week!