"In Mental Distress"

When Jesus was 12 years old, Joseph took the family to Jerusalem as usual.  It was Passover, a festive time, and large families traveled together in long caravans through the lush spring countryside. As they approached the starker landscapes near lofty Jerusalem, many would sing the famous psalms of ascent.  (Psalms 120-134) The city may have teemed with hundreds  of thousands of people.  Afterward, the families and their caravans began to head homeward.  Joseph and Mary, perhaps with much to do, assumed that Jesus was traveling with others, maybe family members. Only after Jerusalem lay a full day behind them did they realize a terrifying truth-Jesus was missing! -Luke 2:41-44.

Frantically, they traced their steps all the way back to Jerusalem.  Imagine how empty and strange the city seemed to them now as they paced the streets, calling out their son's name. Where could the boy be?  By the third day of searching, did Joseph begin to wonder if he had failed terribly in this sacred trust from Jehovah?  Finally, they went to the temple.  They they searched until they came upon a chamber where many learned men, versed in the Law, were gathered-with young Jesus sitting among them! Imagine the relief Joseph and Mary felt! -Luke 2:45, 46.

Jesus was listening to the learned men and eagerly asking questions. The men were amazed at the child's understanding and his answers.  Mary and Joseph, though, were astounded.  In the record, Joseph is silent.  But Mary's words  speak eloquently for both of them:  "Child why did you treat us this way?  Here your father and I in mental distress have been looking for you." -Luke 2:47, 48.

Thus in a few deft strokes, God's Word paints a realistic picture of parenthood. It  can be stressful-even  when the child is perfect!  Parenting in today's dangerous world  can bring untold "mental distress," but fathers and mothers can take comfort in knowing that the Bible acknowledges the challenge they face.

Happily, Jesus had stayed in the one place in the world where he felt the closest to his heavenly Father, Jehovah, eagerly soaking up anything he could learn.  Thus, he answered his parents in a simply sincerity:  "Did you not know that I must be in the house of my Father?" -Luke 2:49.

Joseph surely thought those words over many times.  Perhaps he came to beam with pride over them.  After  all, he had worked diligently  to teach his adopted son to feel that way about Jehovah God.  By that time in his life as a boy, Jesus already had warm feelings about the word"father"-feelings shaped largely by his exposure to Joseph.

If you are a father, do you realize what a privilege you have to help your children to form a concept of what a loving, protective father is?  Likewise, if you have stepchildren or adopted children, remember Joseph's example and treat each one as unique and precious.  Help them to draw close to their heavenly Father, Jehovah God.

Next time: Joseph Persevered Faithfully

The Watchtower, 2012