Why would the boy say he had to be in his Father's house?  Hadn't Jesus and his parents already fulfilled their Passover obligations?  They already had gone to a lot of trouble making the annual Passover pilgrimage.  The road from Nazareth up to the seven hills of Jerusalem was a long walk of several days.  Mary must have frequently recalled the same long journey when she was expecting Jesus.  Now it is time to be homeward bound. 

Wasn't what needed to be done, done?  Yet Jesus stays behind. 

I can understand a twelve year old going AWOL and forgetting the time.  I can understand a boy enjoying the activity of a city and perhaps being reluctant to return to sleepy Nazareth.  I can understand a boy that age thinking he can manage on his own for a while and just follow the same road back soon enough. 

Yet none of these attitudes motivate Jesus.  Instead, Jesus seems to be pushing the envelope of what one has to do or doesn't have to do.  It's not about Him.  He says, "I must be in my Father's house." 

This question exists yet today; what is it we have to do regarding God's house?  It seems many want to know minimum requirements and maximum boundaries as if, in knowing these they will keep from being shut out of the Kingdom on the one hand or overdoing unnecessary piety on the other. 

I am always startled by a member of the church who asserts, "I don't absolutely have to be in church on a Sunday."  That's right.  But you get the feeling that the focus of the conversation is on some kind of slide rule rather than upon the Gifts of God's house. 

If Joseph had been asked whether his family had to go to Jerusalem for the Passover, I think he would have insisted yes.  But why would he have said yes?  Was it simply because of the biblical regulations of Exodus 13?  Or was it from genuine rejoicing that the most sacred celebration of God's gracious deliverance of His people was not something optional?  Who would even suggest such a thing? 

Yet, even in realizing that participating in the Passover was a blessing, Mary and Joseph still never considered that Jesus was like a child who would say to his parents at the end of a Sunday worship service, "Do we have to leave?  Can't we stay?"  We easily imagine children saying that about a day at the beach or a trip to Disney World.  But Jesus feels that way about His Father's house! 

It is so clear to him the value of sitting among the teachers and discussing, learning, and inquiring into the Word of God that He is puzzled his parents could think that He would be any place else.  Yet, Mary even reprimands Jesus, interpreting His actions as insensitivity to Joseph and her or worse, breaking the rules.  The Bible says, "They did not understand." 

For Jesus it was not compulsion that kept Him in the temple.  It was not mere obligation or requirement.  It was the essence of the place, the real meaning of the Temple.  Jesus articulates it simply; it is "my Father's house."  Where else would you expect to find a child? With his Father!  Where his Father promises to be!  Among the good things his loving Father provides! 

Jesus says, "I must be in my Father's house" because he is his Father's son.  Who doesn't get that? 

We don't. 

We slip into legalism, logic, and litigation.  We excuse or explain away the times we miss even the minimums but then congratulate ourselves for service above and beyond the call of duty.  Our sinful nature confuses the law of "must" with the privilege of "must."  That's why we need a Savior. 

Jesus considered it the absolute privilege to be his Father's Son.  To reside in God's house was a pure favor.  And to do His Father's will was not by the coercion of some divine shoehorn.  It was a "must" because that is Christ's own essence.  Jesus used the word "must" on other occasions, you know. 

"I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns as well; for I was sent for this purpose." (Luke 4:43) 

"I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd." (John 10:16) 

"I must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised." (Matthew 16:21) 

Willingly, gladly, eagerly, selflessly, resolutely, and unconditionally Jesus came to us as the very Gift of the Father.  He came to receive us into his flock and finally complete his Passion on the cross.  It is that unreserved faithfulness and sacrifice which provide us His heart and life, so that we may say, "I must be in my Father's house."  I must be where His promised gifts are so freely distributed, not under duress or for earning "points," but because it is My Father's House." 

I listen because it is my Father's Word. 

I dine because it is my Father's banquet. 

I sing because it is my Father's Gospel. 

I must.  I must because this is the soul of who I am --- my Father's child.  And how much more blessed could anyone be?