Today we see Jesus as a 12-year-old boy staying behind in the temple, astonishing the teachers with his wisdom while Mary and Joseph anxiously search for him. This passage highlights the importance of steady, faithful religious practices in shaping spiritual character, as seen in Mary and Joseph’s consistent observance of Jewish customs. It reminds us that formation in faith doesn’t come from dramatic moments alone, but from regular rhythms of worship, prayer, and community. Jesus, though fully divine, was formed by these habits and obedient to his parents, growing in wisdom and favor. This story invites us to reflect on the practices that are forming us—and how we’re passing them on.
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Good morning. It’s good to be with you today as we continue our time in the Gospel of Luke.
I’ve really been enjoying this gospel so far—it’s been encouraging and enlightening, and today’s reading gave me a fresh insight I hadn’t pondered in a while.
Let’s look at Luke 2:41–52, the only glimpse we get into Jesus’ boyhood.
Scripture Reading: Luke 2:41–52
“Now every year his parents went to Jerusalem for the festival of the Passover. And when he was twelve years old, they went up as usual for the festival…”
(Read the full passage for the full impact.)
Mary, Joseph, and the Power of Routine Faith
As I read this passage, what stood out was how faithful Mary and Joseph were in practicing the religious customs of their people.
Look at what they consistently did:
- Verse 21: Circumcised Jesus on the eighth day.
- Verse 22: Brought him to the temple for purification, as required by the law.
- Verse 41: Went annually to Jerusalem for Passover.
Their faith wasn’t dramatic.
It wasn’t loud.
But it was steady, faithful, and rooted in practice.
And that matters.
The Role of Rituals in Forming Faith
We sometimes undervalue the importance of rituals in spiritual formation. Yes, the prophets tell us that God desires our hearts, not empty sacrifice. Yes, Paul reminds us that our good works are but filthy rags.
But let’s not miss this:
Holy habits shape holy hearts.
We need regular rhythms—Scripture, prayer, worship, fasting, communion—to form our character.
As one of my professors used to say:
“When it’s just me and Jesus, it’s amazing how often Jesus agrees with me.”
That’s why we need community. We need Scripture.
We need the traditions of the church to form us beyond our own preferences.
Forming the Faith of the Next Generation
Notice that Mary and Joseph didn’t leave Jesus’ spiritual development up to chance. They brought him to the temple. They exposed him to the life of faith. And Jesus was shaped by that.
It makes me think of how passionately we disciple our kids into sports or alma maters.
We teach them the fight songs, the cheers, the traditions.
We make sure they know who to root for on Saturdays.
But do we teach them the rituals of the faith with that same intentionality?
Do our children know the creeds?
Have they seen us pray at meals, worship on Sundays, serve others?
This weekend, I’m going back to preach homecoming at Johnston Chapel—my home church. I’ll be thinking of people like Glenn Johnston, Robert Stockton, Eleanor Johnston, Carolyn Poole, and Diane Woodall. These saints formed my early life. They didn’t teach flashy theology—but they taught me how to live my faith daily.
They gave me a foundation.
And that foundation has carried me through.
“Did You Not Know?”
When Mary and Joseph find Jesus in the temple, Mary understandably says, “Why have you treated us this way?” And Jesus responds, “Did you not know I must be in my Father’s house?”
Even at age 12, Jesus knew his purpose. But notice what comes next:
“He went down with them… and was obedient to them.”
(v. 51)
Jesus, who was the Son of God, submitted to his earthly parents.
He lived in community. He obeyed.
And he grew—in wisdom, in stature, and in favor with God and people.
That’s discipleship.
What Practices Are Forming You?
Let me close with this:
What rituals are shaping your faith?
What daily or weekly patterns are grounding you in Christ?
What do you turn to when storms come?
One of my favorite Rich Mullins songs, “Creed,” has a line that says:
“I did not make it. No, it is making me.”
That’s what these practices do.
They make us.
They form us.
They shape us into Christlikeness—slowly, over time.
Mary and Joseph practiced them.
Jesus was formed by them.
And if we’re going to follow Jesus, we need to value them too.
Takeaway Questions
- What spiritual practices are part of your regular routine?
- Which ones have shaped you most deeply over the years?
- How can you pass those down to the next generation?
Thanks for being with us today. Tomorrow, we’ll move into Luke 3, where we pick back up with John the Baptist and hear his bold call to repentance. See you then.
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