Luke 2:41-52
41 His parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover.
42 And when He was twelve years old, they went up there according to the custom of the feast;
43 and as they were returning, after spending the full number of days required, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but His parents were unaware of it.
44 Instead, they thought that He was somewhere in the caravan, and they went a day’s journey; and then they began looking for Him among their relatives and acquaintances.
45 And when they did not find Him, they returned to Jerusalem, looking for Him.
46 Then, after three days they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both listening to them and asking them questions.
47 And all who heard Him were amazed at His understanding and His answers.
48 When Joseph and Mary saw Him, they were bewildered; and His mother said to Him, “Son, why have You treated us this way? Behold, Your father and I have been anxiously looking for You!”
49 And He said to them, “Why is it that you were looking for Me? Did you not know that I had to be in My Father’s house?”
50 And yet they on their part did not understand the statement which He had made to them.
51 And He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and He continued to be subject to them; and His mother treasured all these things in her heart.
52 And Jesus kept increasing in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and people.
The Missing Jesus
The missing Jesus
Israelite males were commanded to go to Jerusalem three times a year, for the Feast of Passover, the Feast of Pentecost, and the Feast of Booths (Ex. 23:14-17). For Jews who had been scattered across the world, going up to Jerusalem three times a year was nearly impossible, but many made an effort to do so at least once a year. Jesus’ parents also went to Jerusalem once a year for the Feast of Passover. When Jesus was twelve years old, his parents took him with them to Jerusalem for the pilgrimage. When a Jewish boy becomes thirteen, “Bar Mitzvah (son of the Law)” is held to celebrate him entering adulthood. From that point on, he begins to publicly read the Torah (the five books of Moses) and take on personal responsibility. It is not known whether Jesus’ parents had taken Him to Jerusalem every year, but in today’s passage, the fact that Jesus was twelve years old is significant. When the festival ended and they began their return journey, Jesus was nowhere to be found. His parents had assumed that He was also on the way back with them. It was three days later that they reunited with Him. Jesus was sitting in the temple in the midst of the teachers of the Law, asking insightful questions. It is written that those around Him were amazed at His understanding and His answers.
Puzzled parents
His parents must have been deeply worried. Mary’s question carries a tone of rebuke. Jesus responded, “Why is it that you were looking for Me? Did you not know that I had to be in My Father’s house?” At that time, Jews referred to God as “our Father” or “Father in heaven,” but they did not call Him “my Father.” By calling God “My Father,” Jesus testified that He stood in a unique relationship with God the Father. This is a moving passage in which the boy Jesus begins to awaken to His identity as the Messiah. However, His parents were not able to understand the meaning of His words. “And His mother treasured all these things in her heart” (v 51). Mary, over time, came to learn more about who Jesus truly was. Let us also treasure the Word in our hearts and pray that, with time, we may grow in deeper understanding of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.
Today's prayer
Father God, I thank You from the bottom of my heart for the blessing of being able to call You Father. Please lead me so that I may know You more deeply and more intimately through Your Word. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.