NATIVITY By Mike Herron

Chapter 17: THE BOY JESUS IN THE TEMPLE - Luke 2:40-52 (December 30 th )

he account of the boy Jesus in the Temple is a revelation about his self-awareness. At twelve years of age he knew he was the divine Son-of-God and that his Father’s house and affairs were now the main purpose of his life. (40 And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was on him.) 41 Every year Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem for the Festival of the Passover. 42 When he was twelve years old, they went up to the festival, according to the custom. (NIV) The opening statement in verse 40, and the closing statement in verse 52 both state that Jesus grew physically and that he was filled with unusual wisdom. This crowning grace allowed him to have favor with God and man. Each year, devout Jews would make the journey to Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover as Joseph and Mary did here. Some would stay for the 2 chief days while others would stay for the full 7 days as this passage suggests. Jesus is called a child (paidon) in verse 40 and then a boy (pais) in verse 43. This transition takes place at twelve years of age when a Hebrew child becomes officially a ‘son of the law.’ With the innocence of childhood behind them, the young boys take on personal responsibility to learn and observe the commands of the Law of Moses. 43 After the festival was over, while his parents were returning home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but they were unaware of it. 44 Thinking he was in their company, they traveled on for a day. Then they began looking for him among their relatives and friends. 45 When they did not find him, they went back to Jerusalem to look for him.