Luke 2:41-50 (ESV)

Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover. And when he was twelve years old, they went up according to custom. (v.41-42)

On the verge of becoming a son of the law (ben-ha-torah), the Lord travels with his family from Nazareth to Jerusalem for the annual feast of Passover and Unleavened Bread. It was an 80 mile journey, covering 3 or 4 days in a caravan of pilgrims.This was a week of emotion and sacred memories for the Hebrew people, pointing back to the night of the Israelite’s exodus from slavery in Egypt.

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 group they went a day’s journey, but then they began to search for him among their relatives and acquaintances, and when they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem, searching for him. And after three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. (v.43-46)

His first and last recorded trips to Jerusalem were at Passover. When the family departs, Jesus stays behind to engage the elders and rabbis in questions and answers concerning God and His Word. After a day’s journey, Joseph and Mary realize their firstborn is not among the caravan, and turn back to Jerusalem to find him.

And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and answers. (v.47)

Imagine the rabbis and leaders who may have been present that day, Gamaliel? Shammai? Annas? Joseph? Nicodemus? Their Messiah was there and they did not know it (him). They did not have the eyes to see him, the ears to hear him, nor the heart to receive him. He could easily detect the shallowness of their doctrines and the trivial things they obsessed over. He knew who he was, but he did not make that known to any of them.

And when his parents 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 searching for you in great distress.” And he said to them, “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” And they did not understand the saying that he spoke to them. (v.48-50)

Imagine Joseph and Mary’s desperation searching for him. They were shocked and grieved to spend a day without him. His Father was not Joseph. His Father’s business was not the work of a carpenter. It would be the cross.

Important Considerations:

-Imagine the Lord at age 12 going to the altar in Jerusalem and understanding why he had come into the world.

-At that age, he set his face firmly to do the work the Father gave him.

-He came to fulfill the Law, and to make complete atonement for the sin of the world; you, me, the nations!

-We should all desire to give him our lives, and be pleased that he would use us however he chooses.