The Boy Jesus in the Temple

Every year, Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem for the Passover festival. When Jesus was twelve, they went again, following the usual custom. After the festival days were over, the group began the journey home, but Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. Joseph and his mother did not realise he was not with them.

Thinking Jesus was somewhere among the larger travelling group, they went on for a day’s journey. Then they started searching for him among relatives and acquaintances. When they could not find him, they turned around and went back to Jerusalem, still looking for him.

After three days, they found him in the temple. He was sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking questions. Everyone who heard him was amazed. They could see that he understood much, and his answers surprised them.

When his parents saw him, they were astonished. His mother told him that she and his father had been anxiously searching for him. Jesus replied that they should have known he needed to be in his Father’s house. Even so, they did not yet understand what he meant.

Jesus then returned with them to Nazareth and was obedient to them. His mother kept these things in her heart. As he grew, Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and with people. What do you notice about both Jesus’ wisdom and his obedience in this story?