What Would Mary Do??

Many people have an idea that Biblical parenting involves switching your children. I could see how this could be a conception that people have, seeing the oft quoted Proverbs verses that admonish that to spare the rod is to hate your son. I am not going to discuss here what these Proverbs mean or even what the different veiwpoints are, for that is not the purpose of this post.





We are going to discuss a little about Jesus' own upbringing.





In Luke 2:41-52, we see Jesus going into Jerusalem with his family for the Passover. This was a common occurance and shows that his parents were devout in thier religion. At the end of the stay,

"and when the feast was ended, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents did not know it, but supposing him to be in the company they went a day's journey, and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintances; and when they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem, "

Josheph and Mary had no idea that Jesus had hung back at Jerusalem, so it's not like he asked to stay there.

they returned to Jerusalem, seeking him. After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions; and all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. And when they 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 looking for you anxiously.'

No yelling, no arguing, no beating or Dad brandishing his belt. Just "Why did you do this? We've been worried sick and you've been missing for 5 days!"

And he said to them, 'How is it that you sought me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?' And they did not understand the saying which he spoke to them. And he went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them; and his mother kept all these things in her heart. And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature, and grew in favor with God and man."

Jesus, little 12 year old that He was, answered them back. He didn't get switched for it, evn though they didn't understand what he was saying. They didn't accuse Him of lying to them, even though his "father" had been searching for Him and the temple most certainly wasn't Joseph's house. They went home and life continued.

I think there is much to be gleaned from this passage in scripture. Parenting wise, Jesus wasn't hurt for something that many kids today would get spanked for. He didn't mean to do wrong, so it wasn't a sin. Many kids today don't mean to do wrong, but they are punished anyways. Why can't we just sit down and talk to them about the consequences of their actions, on them adn on everyone else? Breed compasion in our children when they are young, and they will be sensitive when they are older.

For a reference on what the Bible means when they talk of "the rod", http://www.gentlechristianmothers.com/weblog/archives/2007/06/index.html#a000070

or this article http://www.gentlechristianmothers.com/weblog/archives/2007/03/index.html#a000068

“Come, follow me,” Jesus said,
“and I will make you fishers of men.”