Jesus' Bar Mitzvah? - Luke 2: 41-52 - June 5, 2011- Cicero United Methodist Church - Everett J. Bassett

            The story we read this morning is one of the favorites in scripture, because it stands en its own as an episode from Jesus' childhood. We have all the teachings and stories that come after Jesus appeared on the scene near the age of thirty. And we have all the Christmas stories that were added later en. But this story of Jesus as a twelve year old is the only one we have in between, at least in the main canon of the Bible. Of the four biographies that did make it in the Bible - Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John - only Luke decided to give us a snapshot of Jesus' childhood. For this, we are very grateful, especially if you're a parent who's ever lost track of a willful child, and shown your exasperation when you finally located them. (Funny -- mine never showed up having deep discussions with religious leaders - it was usually the toy department or the candy machines.)

            On this Sunday when we welcome thirteen confirmands into membership in our church, it is perhaps inevitable that we notice their closeness in age to Jesus in this story. It is tempting to want to say that maybe this is the story of Jesus' confirmation. But, of course, Jesus was Jewish, and I think we need to respect that, so. I have instead wondered in the title of this sermon if this could be called Jesus' bar mitzvah - the recognition of the age when a young person - whether through confirmation or bar or bat mitzvah -- is ready to make some decisions about faith And so I began to look at this scripture story to see some of the parallels to what we are celebrating today.

            The first thing that is significant in the story is the role of Jesus' parents. We knew from the Christmas stories that it was very important to God that Jesus have earthly parents. And in this story from Luke we begin to see why - in his upbringing, Jesus had this key thing going for him - his parents took him to Temple. Luke 2: 41 says they did it every year. In a broader sense, they saw to his spiritual development. And there are a couple hidden factors here that might help us to understand the deep devotion this involved. Mary is the key. This annual trip to the Temple is required for a man and his sons to stay in geed standing with their faith. Not all men made the trip, but Joseph did, signifying that faith was very important to him. But what is even mere notable is that Mary made the trip, which was not required. She wouldn't even be able to pray in the same place as the men when she get there. So the fact that she made the trip indicates it was a family priority, a big deal for them.

            The ether thing we should appreciate is that a trip from Nazareth to. Jerusalem was a journey through hostile country - through Samaria. It was a difficult trip, with some danger involved, This is why Mary and Joseph travelled in a group, which in turn was how they happened to lose track of Jesus for a whole day en the way back home. This was not just a custom for this family - it was a risky venture. But they were devoted to God, and they made the trip.

            So let's appreciate Joseph and Mary, and their religious priorities for Jesus and whatever other children they had at the time. And as we do, let us appreciate the parents, grandparents, and others who brought their children to the 'Temple' here at Cicero United Methodist Church. Behind most of the confirmands we will honor this morning stand Josephs and Marys who believed that training in the meaning of faith was essential- a central gift they could provide for their child. And those adults have done an excellent job, as evidenced in these fine young people who will stand before us.

            That brings us to the second significant factor in the story, one that forms a contrast with the first. Yes, Jesus' parents brought him to the Temple. But then the day came when Jesus had to claim that journey for his own. Mary and Joseph could point Jesus toward the faith through their own teaching and example; but they couldn't put the faith inside Jesus - that was up to him. And when Jesus turned to his parents in the Temple and said to them, 'Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?' that was a moment of separation. It was one of those bittersweet moments in parenting where you step back, wipe a tear from your eye, and realize that your child is not so much child anymore. In some sense, Jesus' focus didn't belong on his earthly parents anymore - it was on his heavenly Father. And the day was coming when he would leave home, and follow the call of God in his own particular way.

            Now, we don't suppose that the thirteen confirmands we honor today will be packing up and leaving home tomorrow. But we have stressed during the confirmation process that this is one of those times when they are called upon to make up their own minds. Our parents can bring us to the Temple; but we have to seek our own personal relationship with God, same as Jesus did. We have to say our own prayers, in our own way. It's not so much just learning the old Bible stories anymore; it's asking in each case what God wants us to learn from them. And it's asking day by day, What does Jesus want me to do in this situation? How can I be a Christian person here and today? How can I serve God in my own life?

            And so, it's important to notice what Jesus did to help him claim the faith he was looking for: he found mentors. He went and sat with the religious leaders and he asked them questions, and they were amazed at his answers - it was a dialogue back and forth, and both learned from each other.

            The idea of mentoring, as most of you know, is at the heart of our confirmation process. Each confirmand is linked up with an adult person of growing faith, and the two of them embark on a journey of questions and answers together, just as Jesus did with the elders of the Temple. It signifies that this is a time for a young person to explore faith beyond the family circle, in the larger spiritual community. That wider perspective is so important as the young person seeks to connect with God as a growing Christian in his or her own right.

            And it's so essential that all of us in the church recognize that aspect of what we do. Whatever else you are doing here at this church - serving on a committee or singing in a choir or part of Men's or Women's ministries or participating in a study or involved in maintenance or finance - whatever else I could name - you also have another responsibility; we all do: we are mentors and examples for young people learning how to understand and practice their faith. They are watching us and learning. It is a great responsibility, and one of the greatest joys in our church - to share the life of faith with these fantastic children and youth. Many churches long for that blessing. We should never take it for granted; it as a calling for all of us to be real about our faith, and to grow and learn in our faith constantly.

            And that brings us to the fourth and last of the things we want to notice in this story of Jesus as a boy. After his parents brought him to the Temple, after he took steps of faith on his own, after he sat with his elders and mentors, we're told this was the result: 'And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature, and in favor with God and people.' That's the journey all of us hope for our confirmands, and I have no doubt it is the journey they are all on. It's a lifelong goal for each of us - to continue to grow in wisdom and stature, and favor of God and people. It is the never-ending journey of faith.

            On a dairy farm, a calf was born, and shortly after injured a leg, and was unable to walk. The farmer had a young boy, and gave him responsibility for taking care of the wounded calf. He said, "Every day I want you to carry that calf outside into the pasture, watch him eat, and then after a bit carry him back inside." The boy struggled with all his might to carry the calf back and forth for the first day. And a farm hand told the father, "You know, that calf is going to grow, and that boy isn't going to be able to carry him many days." And the farmer said, "Oh, I reckon that calf will stay just about the right size." And day after day, the boy lifted the calf, and week after week, until the calf healed, and was able to walk again for itself. And the farmhand smiled and said, "You were right. That calf stayed just the right size." And they looked at the healthy calf, that had indeed grown bigger and stronger.

            But so had the boy.

            And so does faith. We know that for our young people the challenges of life get bigger and stronger. One survey, taken in 1940, reported what public school students saw as their seven biggest problems in school. Their list included talking out of turn, chewing gum in class, cutting in line, dress code infractions. Fifty years later, the same age group was asked the same questions - the answers included drug and alcohol abuse, pregnancy, suicide, and assault. The 1990s added bomb scares and terrorism to the list. On the face of it, the challenges are more daunting than ever. We wonder how our young people will meet these challenges, and find faith and joy and peace in such a world.

            Jesus gives us the answer for how they'll do it. They'll grow in wisdom and stature, and the favor of God and people. They'll discover solutions and possibilities that we elders can't even fathom. God will watch over them and rejoice in their creativity and their compassion and their faith. They will lift the calf every day until the day of healing. If you have not been in a position to notice it, let me tell you that those who mentor and teach and advise the youth in this church sit back time and time again and realize how much we can learn from these fantastic young people. The faith is in good hands. And this year's confirmation class is yet more proof.

            From that beginning as a youth, Jesus grew into the Great teacher and healer, the Son of God, the Savior who died on the cross, the Risen Christ who conquered sin and death. We are his disciples, his confirmands, his witnesses. What a blessing to be part of His Church. I believe each of you confirmands are going to be happy you joined this faith. And what a joy to be those who offer the love of Jesus Christ as a gift to the world.

            President Franklin Delano Roosevelt once said, "We can't always build the future for our youth, but we can build our youth for the future." Today, Confirmation Sunday, the future is brighter because of the youth who step forward to declare their love for Jesus, and their intent to change the world for the sake of love and peace. Let us all follow their lead.