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  • Michael Rickard II

Would Joseph and Mary Leave Jesus in a Hot Car?


Copyright 2017 Michael Rickard

Having bought a new car, I'm amazed at all of the gizmos in it. While I like having a small monitor on my dashboard to show important information like what song I'm playing or what Sirius/XM channel I'm tuned to, I'm beginning to think Skynet is already at work, seeking to thin the herd with its technological devilry.

I noticed my new car randomly sends me warning messages disguised as safety tips. For example, I pulled out into traffic and noticed a message on the monitor. "It read that it's important not to take your eyes off the road while driving." The message wouldn't go away until I pressed a touch panel on the monitor. That seems counterproductive for when you're driving in traffic.

My favorite though is the message that randomly shows up when I turn off the car. Once in a while it pops up, reading "Please check the back seat for passengers."

Having spent some time down in West Virginia during my sabbatical at Con College, I remember hearing public service announcements warning people to check your back seat for small children (apparently older children have no excuse if they're stupid enough to stay behind in a hot car).

I could rant about how dumbed down our society is but truth be told, there's a historical precedent for parents leaving their kids behind that dates back to the first century. Recall the story of Joseph and Mary from the Gospel of Luke, Chapter 2:41-46.

Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the passover. And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast. 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, both hearing them, and asking them questions.

While I'm sure Joseph and Mary wouldn't leave the Messiah in a hot car (had automobiles existed back then), Jesus' mom and step-dad weren't perfect parents but everything worked out well. If the Son of God's mom and step-dad made mistakes, chances are so will any parents.

Happy Easter!

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