56 Passover at the Temple [Luke 2:41–52]

The Bible passage: [Luke 2:41–52]

The Story:

Every year Joseph and Mary traveled to Jerusalem for the Passover Festival. When Jesus was 12 years old, they went to Jerusalem as they always did.

When the festival was over, and they left to return home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but His parents did not know it.

Assuming He was somewhere with another family in their group, they traveled for a day on their journey. Then they began looking for Him among their relatives and friends. When they didn’t find Him, they returned to Jerusalem to search for Him. After three days, they found Him in the temple sitting with the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. 

Everyone who heard Him was astounded at His understanding and His answers.

When His parents saw Him, they were surprised, and His mother said to Him, “Son, why have You treated us this way? Your father and I have been worried and searching for You.”

“Why were you searching for Me?” He asked them. “Didn’t you know that I had to be in My Father’s house?”

They did not understand what He meant when He said this.

They all returned to Nazareth and He obeyed all that they told Him to do. Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and with people.

The Lessons:

• Even as a boy, Jesus knew His purpose on earth and He was obedient to follow it. This created some temporary trouble with His parents. He straightened this out and continued his young life with them.

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