What we learn about Jesus as a boy in the temple.

by Caroline S. Cooper

I love spending time in God’s house. My husband and I are the kind of folks who are present at church almost every time the door is open. Not because we have to be there or are seeking approval from others, but because we love learning God’s Word, spending time in worship, and enjoying fellowship with our Christian brothers and sisters.

From the time the Israelites constructed the tabernacle to the present day, the church building has been recognized as the place for God’s people to come together in God’s presence. When Solomon constructed the temple in Jerusalem, “the priests could not enter the house of the Lord, because the glory of the Lord had filled the Lord’s house” (2 Chronicles 7:2). Who wouldn’t want to be in this holy place, filled with God’s presence?

Three times a year, the Jewish people traveled from their homes around Israel and other locations to celebrate annual feasts at the temple in Jerusalem. Mary and Joseph did this. When Jesus was twelve years old, they took Him to celebrate the Passover. The Bible describes what happened: “When they had finished the days, as they returned, the Boy Jesus lingered behind in Jerusalem. And Joseph and His mother did not know it” (Luke 2:43).

Lost and found

At the end of a day’s journey back to Nazareth, Mary and Joseph did not find Jesus among their relatives and friends. I wonder if Mary’s stomach dropped when she discovered Jesus had vanished.

Sometimes when we read stories in Scripture, the events seem to happen instantaneously. But the Bible says Joseph and Mary traveled a full day away from Jerusalem on their way home (v. 44). It took another full day to return, and another three days of searching (vv. 45, 46). Four days without finding their Son. Four long, confusing, anxiety-filled days.

As the days passed for Mary and Joseph, I wonder if they began to think they might never see Jesus again. The Bible identifies several siblings Jesus had who were most likely left in the care of relatives while their parents searched. At what point would they consider giving up and returning home to their other children?

At the temple and home

When they found their Son in the temple, Mary and Joseph could have stood with pride as Jesus interacted with the Jewish scholars. Or they could have rushed in and pulled Him away, scolding Him for abandoning His family.

Instead, they responded like concerned, loving, and patient parents — a mom and dad who had been searching anxiously for Jesus for days and were amazed at where they found Him. A small crowd had gathered in the temple to watch Jesus interact with the teachers. “And all who heard Him were astonished at His understanding and answers” (v. 47).

While the Bible does not record every detail of the event, because of their humble and respectful nature, Mary and Joseph most likely waited for a pause in the dialogue to address Jesus. “Son,” Mary said, “why have You done this to us? Look, Your father and I have sought You anxiously” (v. 48).

Mary revealed a human mother’s heart. But in Jesus’ reply, we see a glimpse of the Son of God in this twelve-year-old boy: “Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business?” (v. 49).

Mary and Joseph did not understand what Jesus was saying. In the twelve years since His miraculous birth, had they grown accustomed to raising Jesus and His younger siblings from an earth-bound point of view? As the oldest male child, Jesus held a privileged place in the Jewish family. He might have already been serving as an apprentice in Joseph’s carpentry business. How could Mary and Joseph comprehend the plan God had for His Son? Jesus was destined to follow in His Heavenly Father’s business of saving souls. He could think of no other place to be than in the temple.

Upon returning home to Nazareth, Jesus lived out His childhood in obedience to His parents.

This story is the last reference to Jesus as a child in Scripture. The Bible does not reveal any other details about His early religious training or additional trips to Jerusalem. What Scripture does reveal is that “Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men” (v. 52). And Mary pondered all these things in her heart.

Lessons from Jesus

Jesus wanted to be with His Father. Jesus remained in the temple to spend time with God and to grow in understanding. The Bible does not reveal what He learned as the teachers responded to His questions. Did Jesus gain knowledge about the Scriptures, or was He already formulating a future dialogue with the religious leaders? In His public ministry, Jesus spoke eight woes against the Pharisees (Matthew 23:13-31), calling them hypocrites, blind guides, and a brood of vipers. Having spent time with His Father, Jesus demanded that the truth of God’s Word be taught without commentary or compromise.

Jesus was obedient. Jesus obeyed His earthly parents out of love and respect. Later in life, He set an example of radical obedience to God that we may find difficult to follow. Paul writes, “And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross” (Philippians 2:8).

Jesus had wisdom. As a boy, Jesus would have been at the top of His class. His wisdom was revealed not just in His interactions in the temple but later in His teaching and storytelling. His intelligence and insight were evident in conversations with His disciples, those seeking salvation, and the people who wanted Him to die. Jesus said the right words at the right time in the right way, as with the woman at the well: “But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth” (John 4:23, 24).

Jesus pleased God and men. When He began His public ministry, Jesus came to John the Baptist to be baptized, and God responded like any proud father: “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased” (Matthew 3:17). Jesus found favor with men as well. In addition to being popular because of His healings and miracles, He drew people to Himself with unconditional love, compassion, and kindness.

Where we need to be

Mary and Joseph had a story to tell about Jesus being lost as a child, and their story reveals an important truth: Jesus needed to be in His Father’s house to learn and grow in wisdom and knowledge. So do we. Like Jesus, we need to be with our Christian family. For worship, fellowship, and spiritual growth, there’s no better place.