Finding Our True Identity in God's House
Who are you at your core? Discover how the story of young Jesus in the temple reveals the profound truth of finding your truest identity in God’s house and presence.
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The Boy Jesus in the Temple
41 Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover. 42 And when he was twelve years old, they went up according to custom. 43 And when the feast was ended, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents did not know it, 44 but supposing him to be in the group they went a day's journey, but then they began to search for him among their relatives and acquaintances, 45 and when they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem, searching for him. 46 After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. 47 And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. 48 And when his parents[a] saw him, they were astonished. And his mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us so? Behold, your father and I have been searching for you in great distress.” 49 And he said to them, “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?”[b] 50 And they did not understand the saying that he spoke to them. 51 And he went down with them and came to Nazareth and was submissive to them. And his mother treasured up all these things in her heart.
52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature[c] and in favor with God and man.
Young Jesus in the Temple
As we stand on the cusp of a new year, it's natural to reflect on who we are and who we want to become. But have you ever considered that your truest identity might be found not in your accomplishments, relationships, or personal goals but in your connection to God?
The story of Jesus as a 12-year-old boy in the temple offers a profound insight into this idea. Picture the scene: a bustling Jerusalem during Passover, throngs of people making their way home after the festivities. Among them are Mary and Joseph, who are traveling with their young son Jesus. But as they journey for a day, they suddenly realize Jesus is not with them.
Panic sets in as they frantically search for him, retracing their steps back to Jerusalem. After three agonizing days, they finally find Him —not lost or afraid, but sitting among the teachers in the temple, engaged in deep discussion and amazing everyone with His understanding.
Mary's relief quickly turns to exasperation as she asks, "Son, why have you treated us so? Your father and I have been searching for you in great distress” (Luke 2:48). But Jesus' response is both surprising and profound: "Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?"
In this moment, Jesus redefines His identity. When Mary found Him and said they’d been worried sick about Him, Jesus is defined by the relationship to Mary and Joseph. However, through word and action, He reveals who He will be when He gets older, and Jesus pushes back on her statement. While Mary sees Him through the lens of their earthly family, Jesus asserts His primary relationship with His heavenly Father. It's a powerful statement about where He truly belongs and who He truly is.
Discovering Our True Identity in God
This story invites us to consider: Where do we find our truest sense of belonging? In whose "house" do we feel most at home?
Who we are at our core, our innermost being, is defined by how we relate to God. We recognize that this 12-year-old boy is the one who gave His righteousness, holiness, and peace, and that is God's plan for all of us. His plan was always for Christ to come and redeem the world.
Throughout history, we've seen examples of people who seemed to know their calling from a young age. Mozart composed at five, Tiger Woods swung a golf club at two, and Yo-Yo Ma played cello for President Kennedy at seven. These prodigies show us how our early passions and talents can shape our identities and destinies.
But Jesus' example goes deeper. He shows us that our core identity is not found in our talents or achievements but in our relationship with God. Just as He declared His need to be in His Father's house, we are also invited to find our home in God's presence.
This doesn't mean our other relationships and roles aren't important. Jesus still returned home with Mary and Joseph, growing "in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man." But His primary identity, and ours, is as a child of God.
Whatever label we assume: children, brother/sister, husband/wife, father/mother, vocation, etc., or whatever we put on ourselves or allow others to put on us, isn’t the one God wants to put on us. God’s label is that we are children of God and redeemed followers of Christ. Regardless of the plans we make and what the world calls us, God wants to call us His children.
That may sometimes produce friction or difficulty or decision points in our lives. Sometimes, the hard decisions aren't between what's right and wrong but between competing claims that are both worthy and good. Jesus wants you to subordinate everything else and put all other priorities second because the gospel is that our truest identity is found in our relationship with God.
Through this true identity found in our relationship with God, we can discover our purpose and belonging that nothing else can match.
Practical Steps to Grow Your Faith in the New Year
As we enter a new year, we're presented with an opportunity for spiritual renewal. It’s common as the calendar flips to a new year to reflect on where you’ve been and your aspirations. What would it look like to put our relationship with God at the center of our lives, letting everything else revolve around that core identity?
This isn't about adopting a rigid, joyless religiosity. Instead, it's an invitation to participate in God's own life and to know Him as Father, just as Christ did. It's a journey of growth, where we continually say "yes" to God's transforming work in our lives.
The apostle Paul beautifully captures this idea in Philippians 1:6, assuring us that "God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns." Our identity in Christ is both a present reality and an ongoing process of becoming.
As we step into this new year, consider these practical ways to nurture your identity as a child of God:
Dedicate time for prayer and reflection, seeking God's presence daily.
Engage deeply with Scripture, allowing God's word to shape your thoughts and actions.
Connect with a community of believers who can support and encourage your spiritual growth.
Look for opportunities to serve others, reflecting God's love in tangible ways.
Practice gratitude, recognizing all of life as a gift from your heavenly Father.
Remember, you are always welcome in your Father's house. No matter where you've been or what you've done, God's arms are open wide, inviting you home.
As you navigate the year ahead, with all its joys and challenges, hold fast to this truth: your deepest, truest identity is found in being a beloved child of God. Let that knowledge ground and guide you, as it gives you the courage to live authentically and purposefully.
May we, like the young Jesus in the temple, find our rightful place in it—not lost, but found; not anxious, but at peace; not searching, but home at last in the presence of our loving Father.
As you reflect on your own journey, consider:
Where do you feel most at home spiritually?
How might embracing your identity as God's child change the way you approach this new year?
What steps can you take to deepen your relationship with your heavenly Father?
May this year be one of profound spiritual growth, where you discover anew the joy and purpose of being at home in your Father's house.
TL;DR
As a 12-year-old, Jesus reveals a profound truth: our deepest identity is found not in roles, talents, or accomplishments but as children of God.
This blog explores how Jesus’ time in the temple invites us to center our lives on our relationship with God.
Practical steps for spiritual renewal in the new year include prayer, Scripture, community, and service, all anchored in the unshakable truth that we are beloved children of a heavenly Father.
