The Life of Christ

SECTION 21

Lk. 2:41 And His parents used to go to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover.

They traveled by large groups originating in each city and proceeded to Jerusalem by caravan.

• The caravan provided protection from thieves and bandits known for working the highways.

• At age 13 He would have His official ceremony, known today as the Bar Mitzvah, where He would become a “son of the commandments.”

• He would then become formally accountable to the Law.

• Two years prior to His 13th birthday, like all young boys, Jesus would be brought to the temple to observe the festive rites.

Lk. 2:42-44 And when He became twelve, they went up there according to the custom of the Feast; 43 and as they were returning, after spending the full number of days, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. And His parents were unaware of it, 44 but supposed Him to be in the caravan, and went a day’s journey; and they began looking for Him among their relatives and acquaintances.

Traveling in a caravan Joseph and Mary felt confident that “He must be among some of the family or friends.”

Lk. 2:45-46 And when they did not find Him, they returned to Jerusalem, looking for Him. 46 And it came about that after three days they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both listening to them, and asking them questions.

It’s a regarded fact that when a young boy of this culture reaches the approximate age of twelve, he begins to set himself to learn the trade of his father.

• Jesus was probably already learning carpentry skills, but upon seeing the temple for the first time, His mind must have been flooded with His responsibility to also begin learning the trade of His Heavenly Father. Lk. 2:47-48 And all who heard Him were amazed at His understanding and His answers. 48 And when they saw Him, they were astonished; and His mother said to Him, “Son, why have You treated us this way? Behold, Your father and I have been anxiously looking for You.”

Was Jesus in error by remaining in Jerusalem, without letting His parents know His whereabouts?

• View #1: Jesus had a responsibility to let His parents know His whereabouts, especially if He wasn’t planning on returning with His parents. This is all part of the fifth commandment, “Honor your mother and your father.” He was old enough to know how they would feel about this, and those feelings were not taken into consideration. This also wasn’t His time for ministry; that would come eighteen years later. Even if Jesus had violated the fifth commandment, He was still only twelve, a year shy of becoming responsible for the law according to Jewish custom.

• View #2: It was the parents’ responsibility to always know of His whereabouts. They had developed such trust in Him that they became lax on their parental duties as guardians. Jesus, by no means

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