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. 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. After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. 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. And he went down with them and came to Nazareth and was submissive to them. And his mother treasured up all these things in her heart.
And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man. (Luke 2:41–52 ESV)
The Jewish people were instructed to celebrate three religious festivals a year. The cherished place to celebrate was at the temple in Jerusalem. For those Jews living outside of Jerusalem, this was difficult. It became the practice to come to the temple in Jerusalem for one of the three festivals. Joseph, Mary, and Jesus, along with a group from their hometown, made the yearly pilgrimage to Jerusalem for Passover, celebrating the miracle when they angel of death passed over them through the blood of a lamb being placed on the doorposts of their homes (see Exodus 11–12).
Luke 2 tells us Jesus was twelve years old. At thirteen, Jesus would become a full member of the Jewish faith. While in Jerusalem for the festival, Jesus became separated from his parents. At that time, the women and younger children would travel separately in large caravans, the men and the older sons coming a day or two later. It would have been likely Mary and Joseph believed Jesus was in the company of the other parent. Whatever the case, it was some time before either of them discovered Jesus had been left behind. We can well imagine the worry and anxiety this brought to Mary and Joseph as they went back to Jerusalem to search. After three long days, Jesus was found in the Temple. He was listening to the teachers of the Scriptures and asking them questions. Luke 2:47 tells us everyone was amazed at his understanding.
When Mary and Joseph found Jesus, they were also amazed or astonished. This is the same word used to described the reaction of those amazed at the understanding of Jesus in verse 47. I believe the focus of this word is a bit different. In verse 48, the word describing Mary and Joseph can mean “overwhelmed” or “out of mind with worry.” The question and seeming reproach of Mary was asked out of this anxiety and worry. We have here a coming together of the young man Jesus, the son given to Mary and Joseph, and Jesus the incarnated Son of God.
Jesus was well aware of who he was. In Luke 2:49, Jesus asks them why they were searching for him. This was a question, but it is truly more of a statement. In the New International Version, Jesus’s question is, “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?” The New King James Version states, “Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business?” These are the first words we hear uttered in the Gospels by Jesus. It is clear Jesus knows God is his Father. Jesus clearly knew he walked on this earth with a purpose and a plan – God’s purpose and plan. Jesus knew he was put on earth to serve and glorify God in all things.
I suggest each of us have been placed on this earth by the plan and the purpose of God. It is only in our relationship to God that we discover that plan and purpose. It is because of Jesus we can say we have a relationship to our heavenly Father – it is because of Jesus we can be about our Father’s business. It is amazing to see the work of God happening as we walk in the way of Jesus. Today, think of all you do as being done in the presence of God and in the purpose and plan of God.
Dr. Harry Kelm is the executive director of the North American Baptist Conference.
