Questioning for wisdom

by Jo Corney

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When his parents saw him, they were astonished. His mother said to him, ‘Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you’. ‘Why were you searching for me?’ he asked. ‘Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?’ (Luke 2:48,49)

Read Luke 2:41–52

Only days ago, many of us will have travelled and gathered for Christmas celebrations with loved ones. You may be feeling the post-celebration fatigue and relief. I wonder if you’ve experienced questions at your get-togethers fuelled by emotion, sincere questions of inquiry, or just ones to throw thoughts around? It’s these types of questions that I see in this passage.

Most of this passage sets the scene for three lots of questions that are asked. The scene conjures up lovely images of a regular family trip, familiar as it is done each year, attending a festival – a time of gathering seemingly shared with a close group. A sense of tradition, expectation, purpose and celebration with a probable experience of post-celebration fatigue. Against this backdrop, the questions arise – the overall passage gives their context.

Firstly, Mary’s question is understandably emotionally fuelled by a mother’s anxiety and fear from searching for her eldest son – I can ‘hear’ controlled exasperation, fear and exhaustion braided with relief, love and adrenaline when she says, ‘Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you’. However, let’s not miss that Mary, after a little time and probable reflection, treasured up ‘all these things in her heart’ – she grew from the experience and seemingly knew greater wisdom. Her approach saw her grow in awareness of Jesus, giving a deeper platform from which the passage says she watched him grow in wisdom, stature and favour with God and people.

And secondly, we hear Jesus answering Mary with a question of inquiry, seemingly seeking to understand: ‘Why were you searching for me? Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?’ I don’t hear sass or rebuke – I hear a gentle reply, compassionate to his mum’s duress with controlled disbelief that there was even a question of where he’d be. I think Jesus is kind in his questioning – not using his questioning reply as a weapon but reflecting that he’s listening to understand and reply accordingly.

Now, the third lot of questions. Jesus had been sitting among the teachers in the temple, listening to them and asking questions. I think he also listened to understand them and asked questions to aid their understanding. The next verse tells us that he amazed them with his insight and answers, so it seems they also asked him questions.

A personal reflection on this passage challenges me around how I question, if this grows my wisdom and insight in the things of faith and God, and how this then influences my living. Something for me to ponder – every blessing to you in your contemplations also.

Loving God, thank you for giving us the gift of asking questions for different purposes and needs. Please help us to be wise in how we use these, so it is for ours and our neighbour’s good and your glory. In the name of Christ, Amen.

Jo is a wife and mum who serves in various roles in her local Lutheran church community and as a chaplain within Lutheran Services.

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