Luke 2:41–52

Find a quiet place, alone and apart from distractions. Be comfortably alert, still and at peace. Say the Lord’s Prayer. Sing or cant the Jesus Prayer. Pray for family, friends, neighbors, and yourself. Slowly and carefully read the passage of Scripture.

1.         Faithful Jewish people were to be at the Temple in Jerusalem for Passover, Pentecost, and Tabernacles according to the Law of Moses, but in Jesus’ day, this attendance had slackened.

2.         Mary, Joseph, and Jesus were faithful in their attendance, and not a simple trip in those days. Likely a number of folks from Nazareth made the journey together.

3.         Jesus, age 12, and at age 13 He would be known as a “son of the commandment,” was not with His parents on the return home. This was not immediately discovered.

4.         Mary and Joseph rush back to Jerusalem in search of their child and find Him discussing large issues with some of the rabbis and other religious experts.

5.         After a mild rebuke from Mother Mary, Jesus let it be known that He had a growing understanding of who He was and what His mission was. And this, not unlike most pre-teen youngsters.

6.         The words of Jesus in reply to Mary are very revealing, “I must be in my Father’s House.” Though Joseph was His legal father, He knew His real parentage was far different. And how large was His view of the Temple there in Jerusalem, He refers to it as, “My Father’s House.”

7.         Mary, Joseph, and Jesus set out for the return home, and it is reported, likely by Mary directly to Luke, that He was “submissive” to them; Jesus was not a rebellious young man.

8.         Mary “treasured up” all that she had witnessed, all the while Jesus increased in “wisdom, stature, and in favor with God and man.”

9.         Eighteen years would pass before the beginning of His public ministry.