Jesus in Jeopardy

Bible Reading: Luke 2:41-52

Jesus returned to Nazareth with [his parents] and was obedient to them. Luke 2:51

DO YOU THINK Jesus ever got into trouble with his parents? Yup, he sure did. Today’s Bible reading (Luke 2:41-52) is a recorded example of how Jesus got into “hot water” with his parents when he was twelve years old.

Did Jesus ever disobey his parents? No, because the Bible says Jesus never did wrong (1 Peter 2:22), and it would have been wrong for him to disobey his parents.

Do you think it was easy for Jesus to obey his parents? After all, think about it. Jesus was God! The whole universe had been formed by him (Colossians 1:16). He commanded heaven’s angels (Matthew 13:41; 16:27). And he apparently knew, at a very early age, that he had been sent by his Father to do something special (see Luke 2:49). It might have been hard at times for the Lord of the universe to submit to everything his carpenter dad and peasant mom said. Yet, according to the Bible, that’s exactly what Jesus did. He always treated his parents with loving obedience and respect (Luke 2:51; John 19:26-27).

That’s one of the ways you can know that respect of your parents is right. Of course, it shouldn’t be hard to figure out, because the Bible says pretty clearly, “Honor your father and mother” (Exodus 20:12) and “Children, obey your parents because you belong to the Lord, for this is the right thing to do” (Ephesians 6:1). But respect for your parents is not only right because God commands it, it’s right because Jesus respected his parents. Being respectful is being like God himself.

It’s pretty safe to say that you’ll still get in trouble with your parents from time to time; even Jesus did! But make it your goal to obey and respect your parents like Jesus did. That will certainly please God—and might just amaze your parents!

REFLECT: Is it right to show respect for your parents? Why or why not? Do you think it was hard for Jesus to obey and respect his parents? Why or why not? Do you think it’s hard for you to obey and respect your parents? Why or why not? Do you show respect for your parents? If not, why not? If so, how?

PRAY: “Jesus, help me to please you by showing respect for my parents the way you respected and obeyed your parents.”