Luke 2:41-52
Thank you for continuing this journey
of The Gospel Project® for Kids. The Book of Luke records just two
narratives about Jesus’ childhood: His dedication (Luke 2:21-40) and His time
at the temple when He was 12 years old (Luke 2:41-52). Both reports set the
stage for Jesus’ ministry on earth as an adult. Sunday, our Bible account is
about Jesus’ trip to the temple as a 12-year-old.
Mary and Joseph were faithful Jews.
They had dedicated the baby Jesus according to the law of Moses, and they
traveled to Jerusalem each year to celebrate Passover. God had commanded the
men to appear before Him three times a year to observe certain festivals. (See
Deuteronomy. 16:16.) Once a year, those who followed God’s law would travel to
Jerusalem, often in large groups.
In Bible times, a Jewish boy became a
man around age 12. His father would train him to take on all the
responsibilities of adulthood, both social and spiritual. Joseph was a
carpenter, and he likely trained Jesus in his trade. When Mary and Joseph went
to Jerusalem, Joseph might have taken Jesus around the city to teach Him the
significance of the temple and explain the purpose of the Passover feast.
Jesus’ parents started the journey back
home after the feast. They assumed Jesus was among their traveling companions,
but He wasn’t; Jesus had stayed behind at the temple. Mary and Joseph traveled
for a day before they noticed Jesus was missing. They went back to Jerusalem
and found Him at the temple. Mary—a frantic mother—asked her preteen son why He
would treat them that way. Didn’t Jesus know they were worried sick?
Jesus answered Mary’s question with a
question: “Didn’t you know that I had to be in My Father’s house?” Mary and
Joseph did not understand Jesus’ answer. In all this, Jesus did not sin. Jesus
went to the temple to worship. He is God’s Son, and He came to do God’s work.
Jesus taught people, suffered, died on the cross for our sins, and rose from
the dead so that we too can worship God.
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