It was the time of the Passover in Jerusalem, and many families traveled there to honor and celebrate God. Jesus, too, when he was twelve years old, traveled to Jerusalem with his parents, Mary and Joseph. It was a happy and festive time, with many people coming to the city.
After the feast days were over, Mary and Joseph made their way home to Nazareth. They traveled in a large group with friends and relatives. They did not immediately notice that Jesus was not with them. They thought he was out with other children from the group, playing nicely and happily.
A day passed, and in the evening, as they sat down together to eat and rest, Mary and Joseph looked after Jesus. But he wasn’t with all the other children! That’s when they began to worry. They asked all their friends and relatives, but no one had seen Jesus.
So Mary and Joseph immediately made their way back to Jerusalem to find Jesus. For three whole days they desperately searched everywhere in the city. Finally, they found Jesus in the temple. He sat in the middle of the teachers, listened to them and asked clever questions. All who heard Jesus were amazed at his understanding and answers.
When Mary and Joseph saw him, they were surprised and relieved. “My son,” said Mary, “why did you do this to us? Your father and I have been looking for you with sorrows.”
Then Jesus said, “Why did you seek me? Did you not know that I must be in my father’s house?” Mary and Joseph did not immediately understand what he meant. But they knew that Jesus was special.
Then Jesus returned to Nazareth with them. He was obedient to them and lived with them. Mary kept all these things in her heart and thought about them often. Jesus continued to grow, he became strong and wise, and God’s grace was upon him.
Message of history
God has a special plan for each of us. Jesus knew as a child that He belonged to God. We too may know that we belong to God and should put Him first in our lives.
Bible passage
The story of Jesus as a child in the temple is found in Luke 2:41-52:
“And his parents traveled to Jerusalem annually on the Passover. And when he was twelve years old, they went up according to the custom of the feast. And when the days were over, and they returned, the boy Jesus remained in Jerusalem, and his parents did not know it. But as they thought he was among their fellow travellers, they came a day’s journey and looked for him among their relatives and acquaintances. And when they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem and sought him. And it came to pass that after three days they found him sitting in the temple, in the midst of the teachers, listening to them and asking them. But all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. And when they saw him, they were beside themselves, and his mother said to him, “Child, why have you done this to us?” Behold, your Father and I have sought you with pain! And he said to them, “Why have you sought me?” Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s? And they did not understand the word that he spoke to them. And he went down with them and came to Nazareth, and he was subject to them. And his mother kept all these words in her heart. And Jesus increased in wisdom and in greatness and in favor with God and men.”
