Luke 2 tells us it was Passover time in Israel and Jesus was 12 years old. Jerusalem would swell with visitors from each corner of Israel. This would be a week-long celebration remembering what had taken place 1400 years earlier. Joseph and Mary had been saving shekels for this annual pilgrimage. Jesus, possibly his brothers and sisters (Mt. 13; John 7; Acts 1; Gal 1:19), would make this journey with Joseph and Mary. They’d be excited. Living in Nazareth, a hick town, and going to the big city of Jerusalem was a big deal. That’s where it was happening. Families made their plans to walk together in a caravan. Women and children at the front setting the pace and the men in the back with the older boys. It was 70 miles from Nazareth to Jerusalem. It would take them almost four days to walk. Once they arrived, they might have had friends in the city to stay with, but most likely they pitched their tents outside the city gates and each morning walked through the gate into the holy city. It was a week-long celebration.

This little pilgrimage was now over, and it was time to return home. Everyone said their good-byes to friends to whom they’d been reacquainted and the caravan left Jerusalem. Everyone knew the plan. The day and time were set. They’d walk back the same roads, same order with women and children in front, men and older boys bringing up the rear, eating and sleeping along the way. The first evening was now behind them and each family was settling down for the night. The caravan had walked a whole day. But something wasn’t right. No, not something, but someone. Jesus was missing. Mary assumed Jesus to be with Joseph. Joseph assumed Jesus was with Mary. The night was long and early the next morning Joseph and Mary hurriedly headed back to Jerusalem, praying as they traveled. It takes them another day. That’s two days without Jesus. It was the third day that Jesus was finally found. He was in the Temple disputing with the doctors and lawyers of the Law. Mary and Joseph asked, “Son, why have you dealt with us this way?” The first words recorded by Jesus in the Bible are these, “I must be about my father’s business.”

What does the word “ponder” mean? According to the dictionary it means to “think carefully about something, especially for a noticeable length of time.” It has the idea of treasuring something in your heart. Let me share three things today.

  1. Treasure is to be Valued. Luke 2:51 tells us that Mary “kept” these things in her heart. The words and actions of Jesus were always rolling around in her mind. Every word about Jesus, from the announcement by the angel concerning His birth, to Simeon holding and declaring Jesus to be the Messiah, down to words spoken between her and Elizabeth as they talked during their pregnancies. Now these words, “I must be about my Father’s business” are weighing on her mind. Perhaps she didn’t understand the full meaning of those words, but she didn’t forget them. Everything you know that’s biblical about Jesus ought to be pondered and treasured. The more you know about Jesus, the better for your soul. You find out about Jesus on the pages of the Word of God.
  2. Treasure can be Lost. When I say “can be lost” I don’t mean you can lose your salvation. That’s forever settled. What I mean is you can lose what you don’t use. When I was in my first year of college I had set a goal to memorize 1 Timothy. After those first two semesters I could start at the beginning of 1 Timothy and quote all six chapters. But something happened over the years. I didn’t stay focused the way that I should have and today I can’t quote those chapters the same way I used to. Samson, the judge over Israel, was a champion for Israel in fighting against the Philistines. He had defeated them and humiliated them many times over, yet one fretful day he rose to fight again and “did not know that the Lord had departed from him.” Our walk with God should be treasured always, knowing that neglect or sin will make us lose sight of what is truly most valuable.
  3. Treasure is to be Unearthed. Mary didn’t understand everything at the time she learned it. For years she pondered things; she was in the habit of pondering. Press a mental button on your Bible knowledge and fast-forward about twenty years. Jesus was beginning His earthly ministry. Mary, Jesus, and most likely some of His brothers and sisters were all at a wedding. The crowd is larger than expected and the host runs out of wine. Mary speaks to Jesus about it, and He responds, “What have I to do with that? My time hasn’t come.” She simply looks at the servants of the host and makes a powerful statement. “Whatever he tells you to do, just do it.” It took her awhile, but she understands now that you just do what he says because it is always right and true. Have you gotten to the point when you simply just do what he says to do? Each day we can learn more about the Lord. We sing a song from time to time titled “More about Jesus.” Each day as we mine the Bible we unearth great truths and knowledge about the Lord Jesus.

There was an Evangelist back in the mid-1900’s named Gypsy Smith. He commented on this passage in Luke 2 with two important observations. 1. They lost Jesus at the most unlikely place. Think about that. They lost Jesus at the Temple. 2. It happened to the most unlikely people. Joseph and Mary loved God. They were devout, yet their minds became preoccupied with friends and conversations on the road home. They didn’t realize until a full day later that Jesus wasn’t in the company, the caravan. Let’s be focused and vigilant as we ponder the things of the Lord.