The first visit of Jesus of Nazareth to the Jerusalem temple with his parents for passover was, when he was twelve years of age (Luke 41: 42).
That visit was associated with seven significant experiences in the life of Jesus and his parents.
The parents of Jesus used to go to the temple every year according to the custom and this visit when Jesus was 12 years was also part of that custom. It is a confirmation of the jewish practices that his parents faithfully followed, which brought roots to the faith of Jesus.
The second thing about this incident is that the parents of Jesus returned after 'spending full number of days', while 'the boy Jesus stayed back in Jerusalem' (v 43). The parents of Jesus fulfilled what was the usual tradition, ritual and practice associated with the passover. For Jesus, there was something more he was seeking after because of which Jesus stayed back. It is a pointer to the searching attitude of Jesus within his soul, for more than what was customarily part of a festival occasion. He lived and pursued an inner life of purpose and godly pursuit. His interest transcended charm of the festive occasion. He was seeking soulful life and intimacy with God.
The Third striking observation about this was, 'And His parents were unaware of this' (v 43). The parents did not check his presence in the caravan before they set out on the return journey. Neither did Jesus inform his parents of his desire to stay back in the temple. The parents started looking for Jesus after a day's journey. That sounds strange. However, it might suggest that Jesus was close to his relatives and acquaintances that his parents presumed Jesus to be with them (v 44). It also suggests that Jesus was already relating beyond his immediate family and his parents were comfortable to entrust him to be cared by others, whom they knew. The parents were becoming ready to let a pre-teenage boy find a larger orbit of relationship for his formative process, a mature step taken at the right time by his parents. Jesus grew up in a home where parents fostered him to be relational for his formation.
The fourth insight about this incident is that they found him after three days(v 46). Why is that if they went only one day's journey, and it took them three days to find him! Jesus was not in the usual places of festivity, offering sacrifices, merchandise, carnival or social gatherings, like what children are normally occupied with on such occasions. Such events took place in the outer courts and places beyond and not in the sanctuary of the temple. Jesus gravitated toward the temple where the ark of the Lord was placed in the holy of holies and the Scripture was read for exhortation. He was choosing to become what was told about him to his mother by an angel even before he was conceived, '...He will be great and will be called the son of the Most High ..' (Luke 1:32). Was it because of that at twelve years of age, Jesus was already making a choice beyond the usual, voluntarily and volitionally to become what he felt was to be his calling! No wonder that he was 'in the temple, sitting in the midst of teachers, both listening to them and asking them questions' (v 46). He had already chosen the sacred place to belong to, separating himself from the common place or mundane events. Was it the reason that it took three days for the parents to turn their attention after searching everywhere else, to the sacred place of the sanctuary to look for Jesus!
The fifth insight is the conversation between Jesus and his mother: 'Son, why have you treated us this way? Behold your father and I have been anxiously looking for you' (v.48). It is an open ended question presented to Jesus affectionately in a feminine way, by calling him, son, which a mother would do to express intimacy and love. Instead of anxiety and guilt generation, Jesus was addressed lovingly and kindly which is yet another clue to the ambience in which Jesus grew up in his home where the language of love and care formed the substance of relationship. The response of Jesus was: 'Why is it that you were looking for me? Did you not know that I had to be in My Father's house ?' (v 49) This was a gentle reminder to Mary, the mother of Jesus, about the message she received even before Jesus was conceived as to who Jesus would become! Jesus was in this 'becoming process' because of which Jesus chose to in his Father's house. He already knew of his origin, calling and journey path. But his parents 'did not understand the statement which he had made to them' (v50).
The sixth message is how Jesus willingly 'went down with them and came to Nazareth and he continued in subjection to them..'(v 51). This is the highlight of this experience. Jesus returned to his home till he had fully become a Nazarene as it was prophesied. Jesus knew that his formation as a Nazarene was still on the way and it was by staying in 'subjection' to his parents, this process would become complete. His formation was a journey through the discipline of a home where routines, rituals and practices enlarged his being and becoming. The effect and result of this was, 'Jesus kept increasing in wisdom and stature and in favour with God and men'( v52).
The seventh message is how 'his mother treasured all these things in her heart' (v 52). This is the vocation of parenting! To so delight in the formation and transformation of a child, that parenting becomes a process in enabling the hidden self to become manifest in a child's life!
The first entry to Jerusalem temple was what initiated Jesus into being the son of man, 'who came not to be ministered unto but to minister' !
It was this Jesus of Nazareth, in the fullness of time, who set out for a second entry into Jerusalem temple, about which we read elaborately in all the gospels. I refer to narrative of Mark in Chapter 11 as my text.
Let me share three thoughts about the second entrance to the Jerusalem temple at the time of the passover! It was a journey of a few days.
Jesus began the first part of His journey by asking for a donkey, as a gift from an unknown person for Him to ride on to Jerusalem. (v 1-7). He embraced poverty, humility and vulnerability. He believed in being provided for, identified with the least by choosing their transport mode of riding on a donkey as his, and faced angry reaction from some people, who wanted Jesus to instruct those singing 'Hosanna' to stop it. Jesus 'entered Jerusalem and came into the temple and after looking around, He departed for Bethany with the twelve, since it was already late'(v11)
The second part of His journey from Bethany to Jerusalem was on the next day. He became hungry (v12). He looked out for fruit in the fig tree. It had only leaves, and no fruit. On the previous day, He had looked around in the Jerusalem temple! What would He have seen! Going by what we read from verses 15 to 19, He would have seen on the first day the elaborate merchandise in the temple. I presume that the merchandise would had spilled over from the outer courts and beyond into the sanctuary, the sacred place of prayer and communion with God! Was this the dominant thought of Jesus, when He set out on the next day! Did seeing a fig tree with leaves and no fruit become a symbol to Jesus of all the extravaganza of business and festivity in the temple, but no sacred experience of prayer! The 'foliage' of business versus the 'fruit' of prayer! The sight of the fig tree without fruit, became a symbol of the Jerusalem temple without prayer to Jesus! The temple with the fervour of business was akin to a tree with only foliage! Was Jesus only Physically hungry? Or was He more hungry for prayer and for prayer to be restored in the Jerusalem temple! He foreknew that he would be walking in the valley of death, where prayer alone would sustain him. In fact, Jesus asked His disciples to tarry with him prayer, on three occasions, while He went forward to pray privately in the night when He was to be betrayed in the garden of Gethsemane.
What purpose is a temple for, unless prayer is the regular ambience of that sanctuary!
For the same reason, our body being the temple of the living God, is a house of prayer! What if that vocation is replaced by everything else! Life will then be only a tree with foliage and no fruit!
It was while seeing the Rambutan tree in our garden today, full of fruits in formation, I realised the greater purpose of a tree beyond its foliage! Its fruits is the sign of giving of itself from what it is given !
The third part of His journey was to disengage the merchandise from the temple !(v 15-19) I like the emphasis, 'Jesus would not permit anyone to carry goods through the temple' (v 16).
It made me think about the general body meetings, committee meetings or planning meetings that take place in our sanctuaries, apart from the regular prayer meetings or worship services. I sometimes think that they are similar to merchandise, when we think ill of others, speak unkindly of others, disagree accusingly, hurt others by rude behaviour or engage in plotting to have our way during the meetings whether it be at home or work place or congregational life! I wonder if it is a reminder to all of us belonging to different congregations, as worshippers of Jesus of Nazareth that we are like the fig tree Jesus saw with only leaves and not with fruits!
Jesus through His displacing of the merchandise from the temple invited rude reaction from those who converted the house of prayer to be a business mall. The chief priests and the scribes 'began seeking how to destroy Him, for all the multitude was astonished in His teaching'(v18).
The teaching on prayer Jesus expounded on this occasion to His disciples drew my attention, while reading this passage: 'And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone; so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive your transgressions'.(v 25).
The prayer becomes a personal blessing and a corporate benediction, when bathed in forgiveness.
The second entry of Jesus into the temple at Jerusalem finally enabled Jesus of Nazareth, to become the suffering servant.
It is when we become an offering of love, patience, meekness and kindness we walk in the footsteps of Jesus, to become followers of Him who said, 'Come to me...'
I remember what I heard from Dr Benjamin Puimood, the former Principal and Director of CMC Vellore about the reason why he decided to spend most of his sabbatical leave visiting mission hospitals in India. He referred to the example of Dr Frank Garlick leaving his position as professor of surgery from CMC in 1971 to visit mission hospitals to help young doctors, who were lonely and professionally wavering while working in mission hospitals. He did that for five years by reaching out to doctors in mission hospitals who needed help in picking up surgical skills or support to the family or accompaniment during times of transition. Dr Pulimood felt that Dr Garlick's decision brought a new understanding about the needs of young doctors who worked in rural or remote areas. Dr Pulimood after his sabbatical leave, created an extra consultant's position in some departments at CMC to allow senior doctors to spend short time in mission hospitals without impairing the work in the parent department, when they go out for short visits to mission hospitals. I found this as an illustration of turning the stress of living in a mission hospital into an opportunity to serve, because others were willing to help to convert the mission hospitals into sanctuaries of service.
The mission of the suffering servant was to bring hope and redemption.
The first Palm Sunday was the last leg in the self giving journey of Jesus of Nazareth to Golgotha followed by the resurrection on the third day!
M.C.Mathew (text and photo)
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