In this sermon, Rev. Pedram Shirmast takes us into the story of 12-year-old Jesus in the temple, where his response to Mary and Joseph—"Why were you searching for me? Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?"—challenges us to reflect on where we seek hope. As we journey through Lent, we are invited to slow down, allow the Holy Spirit to search our hearts, and ask: What do we need to let go of to follow Jesus more fully?
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Read the transcript
This morning, the word of the Lord is being read from the Gospel of Luke, chapter two, commencing at verse 41:
Every year Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem for the festival of the Passover. When he was 12 years old, they went up to the festival according to the custom. After the festival was over, while his parents were returning home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but they were unaware of it. Thinking he was in their company, they travelled on for a day. Then they began looking for him among their relatives and friends. When they did not find him, they went back to Jerusalem to look for him. After three days, they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers. 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 that I had to be in my Father’s house?” But they did not understand what he was saying to them. Then he went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. But his mother treasured all these things in her heart. And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.
The Lenten Journey: Hoping for Change
Good morning again. My name is Pedram, one of the ministers here, and it's such a privilege to go through this Lent series together—Questions of Hope. As was mentioned earlier, we have entered the season of Lent, and in the midst of our busy lives, Jesus invites us to slow down. It’s a hard thing to do: to slow down and allow the Holy Spirit to search our hearts. But more important than merely observing this season is understanding why we do so. Why do we slow down? Why do we invite the Holy Spirit to search our hearts? Well, because we are hoping for change—for growth. Not just any change, but a deep change in our spiritual journey, in our relationship with our Savior Jesus Christ, and in our Christian character, to be more like Jesus.
If we go through this season of Lent without this desire, then like any other season it will simply pass, and next year it will come again unchanged. I want to ask you a question: Where will you be in your faith and your relationship with Jesus this time next year? Some of us will definitely experience changes in life—either growing in appearance or height, or even sideways. Some will move to new places, new homes, or new job opportunities. Some will become grandparents. I wasn’t expecting to share this, but since I already shared it at the 8:00 a.m. service: Lily and I will be becoming parents soon. So... thank you. This time next year, lots of changes for everybody in different ways. But what about our faith, our understanding of God's character and His will in our lives? Will we be growing in our trust and love for Jesus? Will we grow in the hope that we have in Jesus?
This is why we hold this season. This is why we have faith in Jesus—our sins are forgiven, and every day we walk through this journey to become more like our Savior. This is why we search our hearts, we repent, we fast. And it is not just about the tradition, but about the hope of transformation. We surrender to Jesus, asking him to shape us, renew us, and bring us closer to him as we prepare our hearts for the joy of this upcoming Easter, when we celebrate his resurrection.
Mary and Joseph’s Search for Jesus
This year, we are walking through Lent by exploring Questions of Hope – the questions that Jesus asked people and the questions that people asked Jesus. Today we begin with a question Jesus asked as a 12-year-old in the temple: “Why were you searching for me? Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?” His words challenge us today. Where are we searching for hope? Where are we searching for Jesus? Do we recognize where Jesus truly is?
Jesus’ visit to the temple is a familiar story. From the time Jesus was an eight-day-old baby until he was a 30-year-old man at his baptism, we are told very little about his life except for this story in the Gospel of Luke. Among all four Gospels, only Luke gives us a glimpse of Jesus as a youth. He tells us the story of 12-year-old Jesus staying behind in the temple, amazing the teachers with his wisdom. This story is placed in Luke chapter 2 for a purpose, because we believe that every single story—every single word—in the Word of God has a purpose for us.
The story takes place 12 years after the first Christmas. Mary and Joseph were righteous, devout Jews who followed the Jewish laws. In verse 41, Luke tells us that Mary and Joseph traveled to Jerusalem for the Passover each year to celebrate God's deliverance of His people from Egypt. The journey to Jerusalem from Nazareth (about 145 km away) would have taken 3 or 4 days on foot. It was a long journey, but their participation shows their deep faith. The Jewish law required men to attend the festival each year, but whole families weren’t obligated—yet Mary and Joseph chose to bring Jesus along every year.
But why did Luke include only this particular story of Jesus’ childhood here (and not, say, one from when Jesus was age 11 or 10 or 15)? It’s because Jesus was 12 years old here—a significant age in Jewish culture. At 13, a Jewish boy became a “son of the commandment,” a full member of the synagogue (essentially considered an adult). By that age, many boys had memorized much of the Old Testament. This may seem surprising to us today in Australia, because 13-year-olds today are not considered mature enough for such responsibility. But in many cultures and past generations, children had to grow quickly because their livelihoods depended on it.
After the feast, Mary and Joseph began their journey home, assuming Jesus was with their caravan of relatives and friends. After a day of traveling, they realized he was missing. It may seem unbelievable that they lost track of him, but traveling in large groups was common at that time. Women and children often went ahead of the caravan while men followed behind. Mary likely thought Jesus was with his father Joseph, and Joseph assumed he was with Mary—but in reality, Jesus had stayed behind in Jerusalem.
Imagine the panic of these parents. They searched for him for three days, with questions in their minds: Where is he sleeping? What is he eating? Is he safe? It took three days for Mary and Joseph to find Jesus. Do you recall another important “three days” of absence in the Bible? Yes—this foreshadows another three-day period: the time between Jesus’ death and his resurrection. This is the only other time that “three days” appears significantly in the Gospels.
Mary and Joseph finally found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. Everyone was amazed at his understanding. When his parents saw him, they were astonished, but also frustrated. Mary spoke first: “Child, why have you done this to us?” You can hear the emotion in her words. It’s the same way a parent might react after finding a lost child—relief mixed with frustration.
Well, I wonder if you have ever been lost as a child. (Raise your hand if you have!) A lot of you... and I’m thankful that you were found, finally. Or have you ever experienced the fear of losing your own child, even for a couple of minutes in a playground or in a crowd? If you have, then you understand the fear and anxiety that comes with it—especially in an unsafe environment.
Thirty-five years ago, this was me at five years old. My mother took me to a crowded bazaar in Tehran, about a 25-minute walk (for an adult) from my father's shop. In the middle of shopping, I let go of her hand and got lost easily in the crowd. My mom searched but couldn't find me, so she ran to my father's shop for help (of course, she didn’t have a mobile phone at that time). My father sent his friend on a motorcycle to search for me in that area while I wandered the bazaar trying to find my mom.
After about 15 minutes of searching for my mother, I became disappointed and lost hope of finding her. Eventually, I decided to walk back to my father's shop, which was a huge task for a five-year-old. The neighborhood was unsafe and child abductions were common in that area, so my parents were terrified—and so was I. When my parents finally returned to the shop and saw me sitting on a small chair in the shop, I still remember the pure relief on their faces. But I could also sense their overwhelming worry and exhaustion. My mom said to me, “I thought I would never find you and had lost you forever.”
Jesus’ Mission Revealed in the Temple
So in my story, my parents were filled with the same fear and anxiety because they didn't know where I was or what had happened to me. But with Jesus, it was different. Mary and Joseph were filled with worry; however, Jesus knew exactly where he was and what his purpose was, even at 12 years old. While his parents searched anxiously, he was confidently engaging in his mission, even though his parents didn’t fully understand it. He showed a deep desire to know God's Word. He wasn't passively sitting in the temple listening to others, but actively engaging—asking thoughtful questions.
When Mary asked her son, “Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you,” Jesus responded, “Why were you searching for me? Didn’t you know that I had to be in my Father’s house?” Jesus responded not with an explanation, but with another question—which is the key to this passage: “Why were you searching for me? Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?” His response wasn’t meant to dismiss his parents or ignore their feelings; it was to point them toward a deeper understanding of who he was and why he was there.
He gently corrected Mary. She had said “your father and I,” referring to Joseph, but Jesus made it clear that his true Father was God. His mission, even at 12 years old, was to be about his Father’s business. Mary and Joseph did not fully understand his words at the time, but Mary treasured them in her heart, just as she had done when the shepherds and angels spoke of her newborn baby. So Jesus returned home with them and was obedient to them. He grew in wisdom, stature, and favor with God and people. In fact, Jesus was never lost—he knew exactly where he belonged, and it was Mary and Joseph who needed to grow in their understanding.
Stepping into the Father’s House
Growing up isn’t just about our size or age; it’s about discovering who we are and where we belong. It’s also about deepening our relationship with God and reordering our priorities in life. Jesus led his parents to see beyond their earthly home and their earthly expectations. As parents, he calls us to move beyond our comfort zone into the Father’s house and into the expectations that God has for us. Jesus invites each of us to leave our earthly hope behind and step into God’s home every day.
Let me ask you a question: What do you need to let go of to follow Jesus more fully during this season of Lent? (This is something personal between you and God.) What do you need to let go of to show your true heart for Jesus?
Jesus doesn’t just ask us to follow him; he finds us even when we are lost and leads us into the Father’s house. You know why? Yes, you do — because he loves us. Because that is where we belong.
Mary and Joseph’s anxious search for Jesus reflects the deep longing that many believers experience when seeking clarity and reassurance in their faith journey. Yet in Jesus’ response, we find hope — hope that even in our confusion, God's plan is unfolding and he is where he is meant to be.
Embracing Questions in Our Faith Journey
In many cultures (like Iranian or other Middle Eastern cultures), questioning—especially in matters of faith, authority, or tradition—is considered uncomfortable, sometimes disrespectful, or even a sign of weakness. I’m not sure if you have felt this, but often you hesitate to ask a question because you fear being judged for asking it, and so you stop. In Australia’s individualistic and independent society, people often hesitate to ask deep questions about the purpose of life or hope for the future because they fear appearing weak. Rather than admitting uncertainty, they prefer to present themselves as strong and self-sufficient.
This can leave people struggling in silence when faced with doubt or hardship. Research from Beyond Blue and the “R U OK?” campaign highlights that many people struggle in silence rather than opening up about their doubts and challenges. A 2015 survey by Beyond Blue found that 1 in 5 Australians thought people with anxiety were “just faking it.” One in five. This shows the negative attitudes and stereotypes towards getting help. People are scared to ask for help, to open their hearts.
And Christians, of course, are not excluded from this struggle. Many believers hesitate to ask deep questions—especially if they have been believers for more than five or ten years. They hesitate to ask questions about faith, suffering, or the future hope that they have. I have personally seen many Christians who struggle deeply with their faith, not because they didn't love God, but because they had unresolved questions. Some had no one to walk with them, no one to help them process their struggles. Others closed their own hearts, afraid to seek help and answers. Fearing judgment from others or worrying that it may show a lack of faith is common, and this leads some to lose their hope altogether. Over time, their hope faded not because God was absent, but because they didn’t have the support or courage to seek answers.
However, just as Jesus engaged in deep conversation in the temple, we too should embrace questioning as a path to greater faith and hope. It’s not a sign of weakness. If we don’t bring our questions or concerns to God—and to those God has placed in our lives—we risk becoming spiritually isolated. And you know what? The enemy wants us to believe that we are alone, that we are isolated. He wants us to feel that nobody understands us. He wants us to feel that questioning is a sign of weakness.
But the Bible shows us that questioning God is not a lack of faith—it’s actually part of the journey. David cried out to God in his pain and uncertainty. Job questioned God in his suffering, yet God met him in the midst of those challenges. The disciples often doubted and asked questions, and Jesus patiently guided them through their journey. Here in the temple, Jesus himself is engaging in conversation, asking and answering questions.
The way that we live out our Christian faith is directly connected to our understanding of God—His ways, His plans for us, and the hope that we have for the future. If we refuse to seek understanding, we risk living a faith that is shallow, superficial, and easily shaken by life’s circumstances. And of course, we won’t always have all the answers, because some mysteries belong to God alone. But we can strengthen our faith by opening our hearts to the Lord and to those whom God has put in our lives to help and support us.
Addressing doubts and uncertainties is part of our Christian journey; it’s part of the beauty of this journey. When we face difficult questions—not just theologically complex questions, but deep questions about who we are, who God is, and what His role and plan are in our lives—it is the hope we have in Jesus that anchors us and allows us to face uncertainty with faith.
There are certain seasons in life when, like Mary, we might ask God, “Why have you treated me (or my family) like this?” And Jesus responds, “Because I love you. Because I love you enough to grow you up, to find you where you are lost, and to bring you with me into the Father’s home.”
Well, asking questions and seeking answers shapes our faith and the way that we live out our faith. In our reading today, we see 12-year-old Jesus asking questions of the teachers; the teachers asking him questions; Mary asking Jesus a question; and Jesus asking Mary a deep, reflective question.
Growing in Faith and Hope
Now, let me ask you again: Where will you be in your journey with God this time next year? We don’t want to be the same people a year from now. How do you hope to grow in your faith?
In the Apostles’ Creed that we sometimes say together at church to affirm our faith, we declare: “Jesus ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father, and one day he will come to judge the living and the dead.” Knowing that Jesus reigns at the right hand of the Father, and that one day he will judge the living and the dead, how will this shape our faith? How will this shape our relationships today? How will it shape our perspective in our lives? When we are at work, at school or university, when we are among our colleagues—how will this shape our faith?
Well, it should fill us with hope and shape how we live. The promise of Christ’s return gives us hope in times of hardship and uncertainty, knowing that one day he will bring justice, peace, and restoration.
Growing in Wisdom, Stature, and Favor
So in verse 52, the last verse of this passage, we read that “And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and man.” Jesus himself, being fully God and fully human, grew in wisdom, in physical stature, and in favor with God and people. And today we can grow in these areas as well.
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Growing in Wisdom: This means deepening our understanding of God. It might involve investing more time in reading the Bible (the Word of God), praying, and learning from others with humility—allowing God to change us.
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Growing in Stature: This isn’t just about physical growth, but also emotional and personal growth. It involves facing challenges with faith and taking care of ourselves as the temple of God.
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Growing in Favor with God and People: This means strengthening our relationship with God through prayer and worship, while also showing love and kindness to those around us in our daily lives.
So, brothers and sisters, no matter where you are in your faith journey right now, remember that God is with us every step of the way. We are not alone. He is faithful to guide us, to lead us, to encourage us, to strengthen us, and to help us grow into the people he’s called us to be.
Finding True Hope in Jesus
Where are you searching for hope right now? What is on your mind? What are you hoping for during this season of Lent? What might God challenge us with today as we search for hope in our lives?
Mary and Joseph searched anxiously for their missing 12-year-old, hoping to find him safe. That was their hope. But Jesus was hoping they would truly find out who he is, who he belongs to, and what his mission is. We know that every child is a source of hope for their parents, but it was Jesus’ mission and identity as the Son of the Father that was the true hope for his parents—and of course, for humanity and for us today. In the same way, we often search for hope in life’s uncertainties. And yet, Jesus invites us to find true and lasting hope in him, knowing who he is and trusting in his purpose for us.
Preparing for Communion
In a moment, we are going to prepare to come to the Holy Communion table together as a reminder that Jesus died for us, that Jesus was resurrected from the dead, and that Jesus is alive and with us today.
But I want to invite you to take a moment to reflect on the passage we read today and the message we heard. We are going to prepare our hearts for the confession prayer that we will say together. I invite you to let the Holy Spirit search your heart right now, especially in this season of Lent.
If God reveals something that needs to change in your life, whether it’s:
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a sin,
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a habit that distances you from God,
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a disappointment,
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a broken relationship that needs restoration,
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or even a deep question in your heart,
bring it before him with an open heart.
Confession is not just about admitting our sins before God; it’s about drawing near to God with the assurance that our sins are forgiven, that God is merciful and compassionate. As we come to confess, we hold on to this assurance. We come to the table not with fear or disappointment, but in faith—receiving his mercy, his presence, and the hope that we have in Jesus.
Compassion and forgiveness belong to the Lord our God. Though we have rebelled and wandered far off, let us then ask for mercy, confessing our sins in penitence and faith. Let us say together:
Merciful God, our maker and our judge,
we have sinned against you
in thought, word, and deed,
and in what we have failed to do.
We have not loved you with our whole heart.
We have not loved our neighbors as ourselves.
We repent and are sorry for all our sins.
Father, forgive us.
Strengthen us to love and obey you in newness of life;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Almighty God, who has promised forgiveness to all who turn to him in faith,
pardon you and set you free from all your sins.
Strengthen you in all goodness and keep you in eternal life;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
