Our scripture this Sunday comes to us from Luke 2:41-52. This passage is when Jesus was left behind after a Passover feast when He was twelve years old. After searching for days, Mary and Joseph found Jesus at the Temple. For a number of Sundays now I have mentioned how Jesus set the example for us. When Jesus was in the Temple and Mary and Joseph found Him, what was He doing? 

After three days of searching, they found Him “sitting among the religious teachers, listening to them and asking questions.” (2:46).

This gives us three notable lessons we can take from this verse:

1. It takes time.

You will almost never be able to convert someone in one sitting. 

2. Never be afraid of who it is.

Kid Jesus was talking and asking questions with religious teachers and they were amazed with Him.

3. Do not act as if you know everything.

Jesus was not making assertions of truth. The passage says He was listening and asking questions (Depending on translation).

I will also compare this Sunday’s New Testament passage with the Old Testament. How can we view Jesus and Samuel as children?

First thing of note is that these two spent time in the Temple. In the Old Testament passage of 1 Samuel 3:1-10, Samuel was laying down where the ark of the covenant was. Jesus spent (presumably) days in the Temple with the religious teachers. Where Samuel was near the Lord, Jesus is the Lord.

Secondly, they are viewed more favorably than the religious leaders at their respective times. God spoke to Samuel and not Eli, Luke wrote in a way that Jesus was more favorable than the religious leaders that He was talking to.

Third, the main difference between the two is that Samuel needed to be called while Jesus was already the anointed one. 

As the anointed one, He shows us how to be different by taking our time,  never be afraid, and to always listen with intention.