I teach first through third grades on Sunday morning. I have found that if you ask a child something, you will get an answer. It may not be the answer you expected, but they will come up with something. Some children stop and think through the question, and others blurt out something. It is always a treat for me to see their reactions. In the Bible in Luke 2:47-48, those who spoke with Jesus as a 12-year-old boy were astonished and amazed.
Jesus and His family had gone to Jerusalem for the feast of the Passover. Jesus was 12 years old, and it was required of Him to attend. When it was time to go home, unknowingly to His parents, Jesus tarried behind. They did not miss Him until they had gone a day’s journey. In verse 44, we see his parents thought He was in the group traveling together with their family and friends. Before you think hard of Mary and Joseph for leaving Jesus behind, think of your entire family, grandma, grandpa, aunts, and uncles going on a trip together. It would be normal for you to think he was with them or somewhere in the group. We do not know all the circumstances, but we know that Jesus stayed in the temple to talk.
Luke 2:41-44 “Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the passover. And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast. And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it. But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day’s journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance.”
I am sure Mary and Joseph were like any other parents when they could not find Him. They searched frantically. In verse 46, they searched for 3 days and then found Him in the temple. We do not know what He did for three days. Where did He sleep, what did He eat, why did it take three days to find Him, when they had only gone a day’s journey before they missed Him? As a mom, all these questions flood my thoughts. They must not have gone to the temple first. Some scholars believe they would have first gone to the place where they had lodged while in Jerusalem. Like many today, at first, they sought God in the wrong places, because the flesh skews their view of Him. Many want to bring God down to their level. They base their religion on what they have heard, not what the Bible says. God is holy and as different from us as daylight is from dark. We cannot bring God down to our level; we should not treat Him as if He is some Big Daddy in the sky. We must seek Him in His word, in spirit and truth, and then we will find Him.
When they did find Him, He was in the temple, sitting with the doctors, which would have been the lawyers and the rabbis. He was not being disrespectful but was genuinely talking and discussing with them. This is noted by the way they treated Him. He was sitting in the midst of them. He was listening and answering questions. They were amazed because He was a child who had knowledge beyond His years. They treated Him with the same respect that He showed them. His actions here showed that He was filled with wisdom, as we are told in verse 40, and that He had a desire to increase in knowledge and wisdom.
Luke 2:40 “And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.”
Luke 2:45-46 “And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him. And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions.”
Children are naturally curious about almost everything. Jesus is an example to all of us in this situation. He wants to discuss and seek knowledge. He shares His knowledge and listens to others’ knowledge. In verse 47, “all that heard Him were astonished at His understanding and answers.”
Luke 2:47 “And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers.”
Like any mother, Mary asks Jesus why He had stayed behind and worried them. She notes they were sorrowing. Jesus asks them why they were looking for Him; did they not know He was about His Father’s business? In verse 50, it says they did not understand the saying, but I’m sure after the shock was over, the thoughts had to go back to when God had spoken to both of them, Mary by an angel and Joseph through a dream.
Luke 2:48-51 “And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing. And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father’s business? And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them. And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart.”
As an obedient son, He returns home with them to Nazareth. However, Mary continued to allow these words of Jesus to stay in her heart. Much thinking on these words would take place for the next 21 years.
So, what can we learn and apply from these verses? First, we must desire to know more about God and the teachings of the Bible. We should enjoy the preaching and teaching of the Word. Second, the church should be a place where we want to be, not just for formal services, but to be with God’s people. We can glean much from others who are studying and seeking God. Third, like Mary, we must keep God’s word in our hearts. Thinking of them night and day. Fourth, we need to grow in wisdom. True wisdom comes from God, and in James 1:5, if we lack wisdom, we are to ask God for more. He will not deny His children who are seeking. Fifth, we are to be obedient to those in authority over us here, just like Jesus.
In Matthew 18:3, we are to come as children, humble, submissive, and obedient to the Father. Jesus was an example to us even as a child. If you want an answer, ask with childlike faith, and you will receive.
Matthew 18:3 “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.”
