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Luke 2:41-50 – Why We Misunderstand
The very first recorded statement of Jesus was not understood. The story is when Jesus was gone for three days (foreshadowing another time). He stayed in Jerusalem after his parents left to go home (the opposite of what would happen in another time). When they found him, he was astonishing the teachers (foreshadowing many times). Mary asked him why he had treated his parents with what she considered disrespect, Jesus responded, “Why were you searching for Me?” He asked them. “Didn’t you know that I had to be in My Father’s house?” But they did not understand what He said to them. (Lk.2:49-50).
Despite the virgin birth, visitors from shepherds with a marvelous story, and encounters with two strangers at the temple, Mary and Joseph still didn’t see the whole picture. But Jesus already knew.
The lesson for us is when we misunderstand someone, or when we are misunderstood, it is often because of us not understanding nor seeing the big picture. This scene in Jerusalem should not have been seen separately from the experience in Bethlehem. So, when we misunderstand, we must look at ourselves to see if we are the one who isn’t seeing the whole story.
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