The Boy Jesus in the Temple

Every year, when spring came, Mary and Joseph traveled to Jerusalem for the Passover feast. It was a long walk from Nazareth, several days on dusty roads, but whole families went together, with aunts and uncles, cousins and friends.

When Jesus was twelve years old, He went with them. What a city Jerusalem was! Crowds everywhere, songs in the streets, and in the middle of it all, the great temple, God’s house, shining in the sun.

When the feast was over, everyone started the long journey home. The road was full of families walking together, and children ran back and forth between them. Mary and Joseph thought Jesus was somewhere in the group, with relatives or friends.

But at the end of the first day, they looked for Him, and He was nowhere to be found. Not with the cousins, not with the neighbours, not with anyone.

Mary and Joseph were very worried. They hurried all the way back to Jerusalem and searched the busy streets. One day, two days, three days.

At last they went up to the temple. And there He was! Jesus was sitting among the teachers of God’s law, listening to them and asking them questions. Everyone who heard Him was amazed at how well He understood and at the answers He gave.

“Son, why have You done this to us?” Mary said. “Your father and I have been looking everywhere for You, so worried.”

Jesus answered, “Why were you looking for Me? Didn’t you know that I must be in My Father’s house?”

Mary and Joseph did not fully understand what He meant. But Mary kept all these things in her heart.

Then Jesus went home with them to Nazareth, and He obeyed them. And as the years went by:

“Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.”

Luke 2:52

Even as a boy, Jesus loved being close to His Father. He listened, He asked questions, and He kept learning. We can do the same: open the Bible, ask our questions, and grow a little closer to God every day.