Luke 2:41 “His parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover. 42And when He was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem according to the custom of the feast. 43When they had finished the days, as they returned, the Boy Jesus lingered behind in Jerusalem. And Joseph and His mother did not know it; 44but supposing Him to have been in the company, they went a day’s journey, and sought Him among their relatives and acquaintances. 45So when they did not find Him, they returned to Jerusalem, seeking Him. 46Now so it was that after three days they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both listening to them and asking them questions. 47And all who heard Him were astonished at His understanding and answers. 48So when they saw Him, they were amazed; and His mother said to Him, “Son, why have You done this to us? Look, Your father and I have sought You anxiously.”
49And He said to them, “Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business?” 50But they did not understand the statement which He spoke to them.”
After detailed accounts about Jesus’ birth, we hear practically nothing about his growing up. Although there were many fables generated about the child Jesus, the early church discarded them in favor of this single story about Jesus in the temple with the religious teachers. Why? First, Luke makes it clear that Jesus’ family faithfully followed the commandments of Moses. This was an observant family who took time to regularly celebrate – Passover and travel to Jerusalem from Nazareth walking over rocky roads. Jesus was twelve years old and in his final year of preparation to take his place in Jewish society as a man. Once Jesus became bar mitzvah, a “son of the commandment,” he had the right to fully take part in all Jewish religious ceremonies, including the minyan or daily prayer meeting.
Luke always did his homework and got his information as accurately as possible. Joseph and Mary obviously trusted Jesus and didn’t realize he had stayed behind until they had gone a day’s journey. And when they returned to Jerusalem, it took three days to find Jesus. It’s likely that Jesus’ parents assumed he was hanging out with one or another set of the relatives, perhaps at Elizabeth and Zechariah’s place with his cousin John. The last thing anyone expected was that Jesus would be sitting on the temple steps where the rabbis sat with their students, taking part in heavy religious dialogue.
Did the boy Jesus know that he was special? The question Jesus asked his parents suggests that somehow yes, Jesus knew that he had been set apart and that he had to be about his heavenly Father’s business, even as a twelve year – old.
Don’t underestimate the faith of a child! I began reading the Bible through every year when I was nine years old. When I was eleven years old, I read a biography of Dr. Ida Scudder, the lady missionary doctor who founded the Christian Medical College in Vellore, India. That night, God called me in a dream and told me He wanted me to be a missionary. When I informed my parents, I doubt that they took me seriously. When I had a salvation experience at the age of fifteen, my family didn’t know what to think. But that calling was real. That salvation experience was real. It’s sad that there was no such program as AWANA available; I would have loved it. (A Workman And Not Ashamed – a Christian discipleship program for kids.)
In the 6th chapter of Deuteronomy, God orders us,” 6 These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. 7 Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.“ For a child to know what is true, right, just, good, lovely, and of good report, you must spend time with them and model devotion to God’s Word. Today, ask yourself, “What are my priorities?” Teach your children! Pray for your children! And give your children your most precious gift – your time.
PRAYER: Dear Heavenly Father, today we feel overwhelmed by all our responsibilities. Our kids are growing up so fast and there are so many things that are pulling us apart. Lord, bring us together in You. Let us all find our rest and our peace in You. In the precious Name of Jesus. Amen.
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