Most people face change in one of two ways. They embrace change with open arms and see it as a challenge or they cringe at change because it means something different and uncertain. It reminds me of the old light bulb joke. How many Lutherans does it take to change a light bulb? Change … why would we change?

A change that we can’t avoid is when the number at the end of the year changes. Soon we will be changing from 2006 to 2007. When this change comes, it is always good for us to look back at the blessings God has given us in the past year and ask for his continued blessings and guidance in the new one. Jesus, our substitute, takes us from the old year to the new one.

The Bible tells us very little about the childhood of Jesus, but here Luke gives us a snapshot. Joseph, Mary, and Jesus had taken their trip from Nazareth to Jerusalem for the Passover festival. Jesus was twelve years old and this trip marked a significant change in his life. According to Jewish custom he was making the transition from boy to a man. You can probably imagine Jesus excitement as he entered the Temple courts.

When it came time for the family to return home, Joseph and Mary left Jerusalem, but Jesus stayed behind. Mary and Joseph had lost their child? You can probably imagine the anxiety of Mary when she realized that Jesus was not with the group. What would she do? Remember they did not have Amber Alerts back then. They just had to go back and try to find Jesus. As worried as Mary was about Jesus being missing, just imagine how relieved she was when they found him in the Temple.

Luke then records the exchange between mother and son. Mary asked, “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?” he asked. “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?” Luke concludes the account with, “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 favor with God and men.”

We learn a couple of things from this account. Jesus was obedient to his Father in heaven. He was about his Father’s business in the House of the Lord. Jesus confirmed that he was the Son of God and affirmed that he was going to carry out his mission. Jesus was also obedient to his parents. He followed the Fourth Commandment and “Honor your father and mother.” He confirmed that he is true man and under the law.

Now how does this apply to us as we make the change from 2006 to 2007? Christianity in America today is so focused on what would Jesus do and how are you walking with Jesus. And I could preach only on the message, “Be like Jesus. Obey God and the Fourth Commandment.” But that would miss the most valuable lesson here.

Mary and Joseph did not yet fully understand. But Jesus did even at twelve years old. He understood his mission. He was not merely sent as an example of a moral life. He was not sent just to be a good teacher. First and foremost, Jesus was sent to be our substitute. God had a plan. From Christ’s miraculous birth to his gruesome death, Jesus had to be holy. The Father’s plan was carried out perfectly. Jesus came as our substitute and lived a perfect life.

Our lives are weighed down with so much guilt over our sins against God. And the Bible tells us that only those who are holy can enter heaven. Those who are not holy are destined for hell.

And so that is why Jesus perfect life means so much for us. He is holy. He has no blemishes on his record. And by the grace of God that holiness has become ours. We have not earned that holiness. Jesus loved us so much that he made it possible for us to be holy.

At twelve years old, Jesus was in Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover festival. During the Passover, the Jews would slaughter a lamb that had no blemishes. Then the blood of the lamb was used to mark the people of God forgiven for their sins. About two decades later, Jesus would go to Jerusalem again for the Passover. This time he would be the spotless Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. With his blood shed on the cross, our sins were paid for and we received his holiness.

Our Savior is our substitute. We couldn’t live a perfect life. Jesus did it in our place. We couldn’t pay for our sins. Jesus did it on the cross in our place. We couldn’t give ourselves eternal life. Jesus does it for us because he rose from the dead. Christ obeyed his Father’s will and saved us with his life, death, and resurrection. He did this as our substitute.

That is your comfort. You heard it in 2006. Lord-willing, you will hear often in 2007. Jesus, your substitute gives you peace. He takes you from old year to the New Year with joy because you know that you are still forgiven.

With that comfort and peace, heading into the New Year will be an exciting change. Jesus, your substitute has changed you from lost soul to loved child of God. With this change, how will you respond in thanks to our substitute Jesus? Now it is appropriate to look at Christ as our example.

Learn from Jesus. He grew in a balanced way without neglecting any part of his life. His priorities were clear. Let us have clear priorities also in the New Year. Continue to be in God’s house. Come and worship the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Hear the Word of God so that you grow in faith. Receive Holy Communion often and be comforted with forgiveness. Be here to serve your Lord. We will change years but our priority remains the same. Be in God’s house.

The balance in Jesus’ life continued with obedience to the law. The Savior was obedient to his parents. He did this in order to save us. We obey the law to thank him for saving us. New Year’s is a time for making resolutions. Be resolute to change your sinful ways.

I know you are fighting battles with temptation each and every day. I am too. Let us band together with the strength and grace of God and fight temptation. Let us put behind us the sins of the flesh and the angry and hurtful words. Let lead pure and holy lives. Let us live lives that are filled with love for God and one another.

I know that many people don’t like change, but change is inevitable. Let us embrace the change of a new year with the comfort that God’s love for us does not change. Let us change us ways and love God back with our words and actions. Jesus, our substitute, will take us from the old year to the new one. Amen.