And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it. But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day’s journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance.And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him. And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, and they were hearing him, and asking him questions. And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers. And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing. And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father’s business? And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them. When I read this account, I was reminded of a story told by Stephen E. Robinson about his son:
When my son Michael was six or seven, he did something I thought was wrong. He is my only son, and I want him to be better than his dad was. So when he slipped up, I sent him to his room with the instructions, “Don’t you dare come out until I come and get you!” And then I forgot. Some hours later, as I was watching television, I heard his door open and tentative footsteps coming down the hall. I slapped my forehead and ran to meet him. There he was with swollen eyes and tears on his cheeks. He looked up at me—not quite sure he should have come out—and said, “Dad, can’t we ever be friends again?” I melted and pulled him to me. He’s my boy, and I love him. (See https://www.lds.org/ensign/1992/04/believing-christ?lang=eng.) This story has several contrasts from the biblical account. Michael did something wrong, and was punished by being sent to his room. Christ, on the other hand, did nothing wrong; he chose to stay in Jerusalem to preach his Heavenly Father's Gospel. Michael's father only remembered that his son was gone when his son came back to the living room to talk to him. Joseph and Mary traveled "a day's journey" before they realized that their son was not among their company. (Luke 2:44) Then, they spent three days returning to Jerusalem to look for him. Michael returned to and was embraced by a guilt-filled father. Jesus was reunited to a very worried mother and stepfather. What can be learned about Jesus Christ by contrasting these accounts? I don't know. Sorry! (But maybe that's okay. After all, Mary and Joseph "understood not" Jesus' words.) What I do know, however, is that the message of Robinson's "parable" about Michael is true: No matter what we've done, we can return to Christ. He will always receive us with open arms. "Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow” (Isaiah 1:18). I also know that Christ's declaration to his parents is true: Christ was always about his father's business. And because he was always doing his Father's will, he was able to perform the perfect, infinite Atonement. As a result, we can can count on him in ways that we cannot count on anyone else. "Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee" (Isaiah 49:15).
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