1 Samuel 2:18-20, 26; Luke 2:41-52We don't have very many stories of children in the scriptures, and yet this morning, the lectionary has given us these two. They seemed to be linked, particularly by the similarity of the closing verses. "The boy Samuel continued to grow in stature and in favor with the Lord and the people; and "Jesus increased in wisdom and in years and in divine and human favor."
Their stories seem to be parallel in some other ways too. They grew up in Jewish families that were very faithful. Samuel's parents went every year to Shiloh to worship and make sacrifices. Jesus' family journeyed to Jerusalem at the time of Passover each year. They were both brought up in the faith.
Remember the story of Samuel's mother, Hannah, who was barren. One one of their journeys to Shiloh, she prayed earnestly to God that if God would give her a son, she would return him to the Lord. And so when he was weaned, Hanny brought him to the temple so that he could serve God there with the old priest Eli. We read this morning that she continued to sew his special clothing each year and take it to him, as a sign of her love and care for him.
We must also remember that Jesus' mother, Mary, was told that she would have a child who would be holy, the son of God even though she was not married, and that nothing was impossible with God. And Mary replied that she was God's servant - that she was willing to do whatever God asked of her.
But in our story of Jesus at 12 years old, it sounds like Jesus may understand this calling even more than his mother does. It seems like we always had questions about when Jesus knew who he was, but this passage gives us some hints that he understood a lot at age 12. He brings his questions to the scholars in the temple, and he impresses them with his answers to their questions.
His parents are naturally worried when they discover that he is not with their traveling companions, and they search frantically. But, Jesus is just matter-of-fact about the whole thing. He was not worried -- he knew where he was supposed to be. And yet the story say she went with them and was obedient.
I think that we have trouble thinking of Jesus as being just like any kid, learning from his experiences. And yet, this story is very much like what happens to every person when we realize that we can make our own decisions, when we separate from our parents. Each of you can probably remember a time like that that was a sort of defining moment. I think for me one of those moments had to do with making the decision to continue taking piano lessons and practicing when most of my friends were quitting music. It was definitely a decision I made on my own. Now, I cannot imagine my life without music.
You know about those moments, and if you are a parent, you have probably seen them in your children. Mary and Joseph see that Jesus knows himself in a new way. And even though he goes back with them and is obedient to them, I wonder if things don't shift for their family at that point.
So both these boys are born for a purpose. Hannah and Mary, in their own way and in their own time, release them to God's service. Both of our stories center around the temple, and in the lives of both Samuel and Jesus, the temple becomes a central place.
These stories of their boyhood set the stage for their lives and ministry. As they grow physically, they both grow more and more into the will and purpose of God. And both boys will live completely under God's providential care. Samuel did not belong to himself or to his parents - Samuel belonged to God. Jesus did not belong to himself or to his parents - Jesus belonged completely to God.
These stories of two boys who belonged to God teach us a lot about ourselves and our children. Paul writes - you are not your own, you were bought with a price. We live in a culture that says we must be in control of our lives - we must be our own person! But, are we ever really in control? Or should we really want to be? Wouldn't it be better if God was in control, and if we could trust in God enough to truly want that?
And the truth is that our children really do not belong to us either. They belong to God. Hannah and Mary teach us that! There is a moment in our baptism of infants with the parents give the baby to the pastor, and we have the privilege of placing the water on their head. In that act, the parents symbolically give their child to God and to the church. And we promise to pray for the child and help nurture that child in the faith.
(Unlike Samuel who was left with Eli the priest, San and I can give the children back to the parents to be raised at home!)
These stories also remind us that we have responsibilities to our children, and also that we can learn from them. Jesus was asking the scholars questions, and they were letting him ask questions! Questions are great! But then they were listening to his answers too and were amazed at his understanding. So let us listen to our young people; let us let them teach us; let us honor their theology and their understanding of the faith.
And let us continue to have young people involved in every part of the life of our church. Samuel was ministering before the Lord, and he had official duties. We love it when we see our children and youth helping in worship - acolytes, crucifers, readers, musicians, and so on.
We are also reminded that all of us are growing throughout our lives. Our life as disciples of Jesus is ongoing. We just do not arrive at some point where we can say, well that is done! No, we are forever being formed into Christ's image. It is a lifelong process. And here we are in the midst of a community that will care about us and help us.
In Samuel and Jesus we are reminded once again that we are children of God, claimed by God, dedicated to God. We are reminded once again of our true identity.
Friends, this week we enter a new year, a new decade. AS we consider how we might enter this year, let us consider these words from Colossians that point us to how we might live because we belong to God:
"As God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. Bear with one another and, if anyone has a complaint against another, forgive each other. Just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you must also forgive. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which you indeed were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly, teach and admonish one another in all wisdom; and with gratitude in your hearts sing hymns, psalms, and spiritual songs to God. And whatever you do in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, given thanks to God the Father through him." Amen.
-Judy Skaggs, Associate Pastor at University Presbyterian Church
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