Taking a look at Luke 2:40-52, we explore the importance of Jesus as a boy, and a visit to the temple at Passover time. As a boy, Jesus demonstrated His commitment to God’s law and to the mission His Father gave Him.

Through a remote arrangement, and with a little interference from Retrobots, , Nathan Caldwell joins Keith in Church House studios to answer some questions about what’s happening with the historical period, and what some of the author of this gospel has intended for the reader. To summarize, Jesus was zealous (or eager), to learn God’s laws. He asked questions, gave answers, and was misunderstood by his parents. He was a fully human boy, but knew he had to be about his Father’s business. At the same time he was obedient to his earthly parents.

Though it’s nice to wonder about the early life of Jesus, it can be distracting from the real message the author intends. It can lead to feeling like the scriptures are incomplete. However, there’s enough there to be able to know God and his purpose for us. It is never intended to be a detailed answer book, covering every imaginable question.

Jesus learned and loved God’s law

(Luke 2:40-47 CSB).

40 The boy grew up and became strong, filled with wisdom, and God’s grace was on him.

41 Every year his parents traveled to Jerusalem for the Passover Festival. 42 When he was twelve years old, they went up according to the custom of the festival. 43 After those days were over, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but his parents did not know it. 44 Assuming he was in the traveling party, they went a day’s journey. Then they began looking for him among their relatives and friends. 45 When they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem to search for him. 46 After three days, they found him in the temple sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. 47 And all those who heard him were astounded at his understanding and his answers.

We give some background on the kind of upbringing Jesus would have had in Galilee, known for being a community of marginally believing Jews. How might that compare to today’s modern marginal Christians? How might that be different from being raised in a Christian home, where faith is practiced on a daily basis? Not to mention some of the customs in traveling, gathering together for Passover, and the distance involved to get from Galilee to Jerusalem on foot.

For families and churches today, a good practice is to involve kids in worship times. Wether it be family devotions, or being involved in a worship service, kids need to feel their questions are important, and taken seriously.

Jesus was involved in His Father’s work

(Luke 2:48-50 CSB).

48 When his parents saw him, they were astonished, and his mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us like this? 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 it was necessary for me to be in my Father’s house?” 50 But they did not understand what he said to them.

Frustrations, and bewilderment were the name of the day. Parents duly frustrated at a missing child, and bewilderment on the part of both sides. The boy for his parents misunderstanding why he was still in the temple talking to the teachers. Bewilderment and misunderstanding for the parents at the amazing wisdom of their son. There was no disobedience. It never states the parents told Jesus not to stay. He likely just got intensely involved in his session with the teachers. Just like kids today may get involved with playing a demo game in the electronic department of the store, and not accompany parents as they left to go elsewhere in the store. In this case, once they reunited, Jesus obeyed, and went with his parents.

The other key issue here is in Jesus statement that he ...