Luke 2:41-50
The Boy Jesus
among the Teachers in Jerusalem
Luke 2:41–52
41Every year His parents traveled to
Jerusalem for the Passover Festival. 42When He was twelve years old, they went up according to the custom
of the festival. 43After those days were over, as they were
returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind
in Jerusalem, but His parents did not know it. 44Assuming He was in
the traveling party, they went a day’s journey. Then they began looking for Him among their relatives and friends. 45When
they did not find Him, they returned to Jerusalem to search for Him.
46After three days, they found
Him in the temple complex sitting among
the teachers†, listening to them and asking them questions. 47And
all those who heard Him were astounded at His understanding and His answers. 48When
His parents saw Him, they were astonished†, and His
mother said to Him, “Son, why have You
treated us like this? Here Your father and I have been anxiously searching
for You.”
49“Why were you searching for Me?” He asked them. “Didn’t you know that I must be involved in My Father’s interests?” 50But they did not understand what He said to them.[1]
[1]
Knight, G. W. (2001). A simplified harmony of the Gospels (pp.
24–25). Holman Bible Publishers.
What was your families best family trip? Did you ever get lost as a child? What happened?
When Jesus was twelve years old, he accompanied his parents to Jerusalem for the annual Passover Festival, which they attended each year. After the celebration was over they started home to Nazareth, but Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents didn't miss him the first day, for they assumed he was with friends among the other travelers. But when he didn't show up that evening, they started to look for him among their relatives and friends; and when they couldn't find him, they went back to Jerusalem to search for him there.
Three days later they finally discovered him. He was in the Temple, sitting among the teachers of Law, discussing deep questions with them and amazing everyone with his understanding and answers.
His parents didn't know what to think. "Son!" his mother said to him. "Why have you done this to us? Your father and I have been frantic, searching for you everywhere."
"But why did you need to search?" he asked. "Didn't you realize that I would be here at the Temple, in my Father's House?" But they didn't understand what he meant.
- God is
... What do we learn about God in this passage?
- We are
... What do we learn about people in this passage?
- What was the significance of the feast, which was an annual tradition with Jesus' parents (see Deut 16:1-6)?
- What do Jesus' character traits tell us about Him.?
- How much does He seem to know about his mission? How much do His parents know?
- What do you think Luke included this episode of Jesus' life?
- I will ...
What has the Holy Spirit revealed to us in this passage? How will I
- Has your hunger for God ever been misunderstood by your family? How? How do you maintain a balance between daily responsibilities and serving God?
- You can
... Who do you know who needs to hear this? Feel free to share with others
by social media links at the bottom of this.
Mary had to let go of her child and let him become a man. Fearful that she hadn't been careful enough with this God-given child, she searched frantically for him. But she was looking for a boy, not the young man who was in the Temple astounding the religious leaders with his questions. It is difficult to let go of people or projects that we have nurtured. It is both sweet and painful to see our children as adults, our students as teachers, our subordinates as managers, and our inspirations as institutions. But when the time comes to step back and let go, we must do so in spite of the hurt. Then our protégés can exercise their wings, take flight, and soar to the heights God intended for them.
According to God's Law, every male was required to go to Jerusalem three times a year for the great festivals (Deuteronomy 16:16). In the spring the Passover was celebrated, followed immediately by the weeklong Festival of Unleavened Bread. Passover commemorated the night of the Jews' escape from Egypt when God had killed the Egyptian firstborn but had passed over Israelite homes (see Exodus 12:21-36). Passover was the most important of the three annual festivals.
Nazareth: Jesus’ Hometown
Nazareth, in lower Galilee, was an isolated village surrounded by high hills and located just south of the Lebanon mountain range. Here in this insignificant place Jesus grew to manhood, probably working as a carpenter with Joseph and His four brothers.
Lack of respect for this out-of-the-way crossroads must have been widespread. When Philip told Nathanael about Jesus and indicated where He was from, Nathanael asked with obvious sarcasm, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” (John 1:46). After Jesus began His public ministry, He visited Nazareth twice but was not well received by the townspeople (Mark 6:1–6; Luke 4:28–30). Like Nathanael, they also seemed to believe that nothing good could come from their village.
Modern Nazareth draws many tourists to the Latin Church of the Annunciation, so named because the announcement of Jesus’ birth was made to the virgin Mary at Nazareth (Luke 1:26)
Growing up in Nazareth
Luke 2:51-52 (Nazareth)
The Boy Jesus among the Teachers in Jerusalem
Luke 2:51–52
51Then He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them. His mother kept all these things in her heart. 52And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and with people.[1]
[1] Knight, G. W. (2001). A simplified harmony of the Gospels (pp. 24–25). Holman Bible Publishers.
Then he returned to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them; and his mother stored away all these things in her heart. So Jesus grew both tall and wise, and was loved by God and man.
- God is
... What do we learn about God in this passage?
- We are
... What do we learn about people in this passage?
- I will ...
What has the Holy Spirit revealed to us in this passage? How will I
- You can
... Who do you know who needs to hear this? Feel free to share with others
by social media links at the bottom of this.
Keeping in Balance
The second chapter of Luke shows us that, although Jesus was unique, he had a normal childhood and adolescence. In terms of development, he went through the same progression that we do. He grew physically and mentally, he related to other people, and he was loved by God. A full human life is not unbalanced. It was important to Jesus—and it should be important to all believers—to develop fully and harmoniously in each of these key areas: physical, mental, social, and spiritual. Think about each area of your life. Work hard to stay physically fit, mentally sharp, socially adept, and spiritually in tune with God.
The Bible does not record any events of the next eighteen years of Jesus' life, but he undoubtedly was learning and maturing. As the oldest in a large family, he assisted Joseph in his carpentry work. Joseph may have died during this time, leaving Jesus to provide for the family. The normal routines of daily life gave Jesus a solid understanding of the Jewish people.
Preparation for the Beginning of Jesus’
Ministry
When Jesus was about 30 years old, He began to make preparations for
the launching of His public ministry. This time of preparation lasted about six
months. He identified publicly with John the Baptizer, His forerunner, and
John’s message of repentance by coming to John to be baptized. Jesus’ close
connection with John’s ministry is emphasized especially by the Gospel of John,
which reports that Jesus’ first disciples were followers of John the Baptizer.
After His baptism by John, Jesus faced
temptation by Satan, who challenged Him to take the easy way out by becoming a
“bread Messiah” whom people would eagerly follow and by impressing the crowds
as a miracle worker.
During this period of preparation, Jesus
circulated mostly in the province of Judea in southern Palestine, the area
where John the Baptizer was calling people to repentance. But He did make at
least one trip to the northerly province of Galilee, where He turned water into
wine at Cana of Galilee.
After John the Baptizer was imprisoned by Herod Antipas, Roman governor of Judea, Jesus apparently decided to move to Galilee and make this area the main focus of His ministry. On His way from Judea to Galilee, He stopped over in Samaria, where He talked with the Samaritan woman at Jacob’s well.[1]
[1]
Knight, G. W. (2001). A simplified harmony of the Gospels (p. 27).
Holman Bible Publishers.
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