said to him, “Son, why ….

said to him, “Son, why did you treat us this way? See, your father and I are grieving, searching for you.” “Why were you searching for me?” he asked. “Did you not know I had to be in my father’s house?”

Jesus learned (50-51) how to respect authority for the father’s sake, and we learn to do so too. Mary and Joseph did not understand Jesus’ answer. Of course Jesus went back to Nazareth with them and was subject to them. And his mother treasured all of his words in her heart.

Jesus learned to understand and enjoy God’s favor and people, and we learn the same. Jesus grew more and more in wisdom and stature, and in grace with God and man. As the chorus says, his calling was “to be used of God.”

Frances Havergal put it this way: “Another year is dawning . . . of witness for Thy love/another year of training for holier work above . . . Dear father let it be/on earth or else in heaven, another year for Thee.”