Growing With Jesus

"And Jesus increased in wisdom and in years, and in divine and human favor." --Luke 2:41-52

Tucked at the end of the second chapter of Luke's gospel, extending from the narrative of Jesus' birth, is the one account we have of Jesus growing from a child into an adult.  Jesus is twelve years old, the same age as several of our class members.  He is accompanying his parents and family on the yearly pilgrimage to Jerusalem for the festival of the Passover.  At the conclusion of the Passover observance, the family sets out toward home in Nazareth to the north.  Jesus remains behind.  When his parents realize he is absent, they return frantically to the capitol city, and after three days they find him in the Temple, sitting among the teachers.  He is "listening to them and asking them questions."  The storyteller adds: "And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers." 
An anxious Mary and Joseph overflow with angry emotion and relief.  Jesus responds that it shouldn't be such a puzzle to them:  Don't they know that he needs to be in this place of spiritual nurture?  That he is part of God's family?  That his relationship with God is a primary dimension in his life?  His parents don't understand what he means at first, but Mary later treasures the meaning of it all.

Below are six artistic renderings of Jesus among the teachers.  Which ones do you find interesting?

After reading the story together, we shared what we had noticed in the narrative  and the questions that were arising.  More than one person commented on Jesus' decision to stay behind--that he should have been more responsible in discussing what he wanted to do and thought of the impact of his independent action on his family.  It was noted that Joseph is mentioned in the story--so he was indeed present at this time in Jesus' life (he is missing from the stories of Jesus' adult life, though Jesus is later identified as being a carpenter, like Joseph).
We talked about the tense exchange between Jesus and Mary and Joseph, and agreed that this dynamic is not unusual between twelve-year-olds and their parents. 
Parents:  Why did you do this to us?
Young Person: Don't you know me well enough . . . ?
We focused in on the description of Jesus listening to them and asking them questions. We acknowledged that the skills of listening carefully and asking good questions are essential if we are going to be good learners.
Is this story about Jesus learning, and growing?  We had some good discussion about whether Jesus already knew everything, or did he need to grow and mature through his life (even though he is the son of God).   The gospels portray a Jesus who grows not only physically but spiritually and in self-understanding.  In this story, his "understanding and his answers" indicate an inspired, imaginative, and curious student who has a good deal to "teach the teachers!"
We are working with these questions for reflection:
1)  How are you claiming your own relationship with God? In what ways are you committed to your own learning and growing in the Christian faith?  Be specific.
2)  Are there ways that you see yourelf like Jesus?  Can you identify with him?
3)  How are listening and asking good questions important parts of your own journey?
4)  It seems to me that we constantly learn through the contributions of one another; that wisdom comes forth from each of us. What do you think?
5)  In what ways do you want to "increase in wisdom and stature, in divine and human favor (Luke 2:52)"?