TEMPLE TEACHERS TAKEN ABACK
LUKE 2:41-52
Luke
2:41 Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the Passover.
Susie: The Passover celebration
commemorated the night the death angel “passed over” the houses of the
Israelites who had the blood of the lamb on their doorposts and lintels at
God’s command. All the firstborn children and cattle of the Egyptians died, but
the firstborn of the obedient Israelites lived. The Passover sacrifices and a
feast were held in Jerusalem annually. There is an interesting article
discussion why God would command the Israelites to paint their lintels and
doorposts with a baby ram’s blood here:
The nutshell version is that
the Egyptian creator-god Khnum had the head of a ram, and it was a direct slam
to that god to kill a ram-lamb.
Luke
2:42 And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the
custom of the feast.
Susan: Age thirteen was a time of
significant rite of passage when a Jewish boy was considered responsible for
his own actions—a “son of the commandment”. He was expected to put away
childish things and be accountable to God, to himself, and to others.
Susie: Therefore,
the year before when he was twelve, a boy would usually go to Jerusalem for his
first feasts. It was an introduction to the requirements set forth in the Law
of Moses. Jesus was probably experiencing His first earthly Passover feast that
year.
Luke
2:43-44 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.
Susie: When the festivities were
over, Joseph and Mary headed back out with a caravan to return to Nazareth.
Susan: Mary must have thought Jesus
was with Joseph, and Joseph must have thought he was with her. He was not with
any other relatives.
Susie: They were completely unaware
that Jesus had stayed behind.
Susan: They had traveled a day’s
journey before they made the horrifying discovery that the boy Jesus was left
behind. Where he was, they had no clue!
Luke
2:45 And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking
him.
Susie: After asking if any of their
fellow travelers had seen Jesus and looking for him among the group, they
turned around and headed back to Jerusalem.
Susan: Mary and Joseph retraced their
steps looking frantically for the Son that God had entrusted to them.
Luke
2:46 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.
Susie: Jesus was in big city of
Jerusalem all by Himself for three days. I wonder what He ate and where He slept?
The Bible does not tell us. It only tells where He was finally found.
Susan: His parents finally found Him
sitting in the Temple in the midst of the teachers and philosophers of His day.
He was both listening and questioning.
Luke
2:47 And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers.
Susan: The elite religious teachers
of His day were amazed, flabbergasted at His wisdom and ability to comprehend
the truth of the Hebrew Scriptures.
Luke
2:48 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.
Susan: If Mary had been a Southern
Mama she would have said, “Son, we’ve been worried sick about you!”
Susie: She might have followed that
with, “What were you thinking?!”
Luke
2:49 And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I
must be about my Father's business?
Susan: Jesus reminded them He was
here on mission. I guess He was doing research toward His purpose.
Susie: From this verse, we know that
Jesus was aware even at twelve years old that God the Father had a specific
plan for Him.
Susan: Jesus meant no disrespect in His
reply to Mary and Joseph.
Susie: He
was just honestly surprised that they would not think to look for Him in the
temple.
Luke
2:50 And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them.
Susie: Mary
and Joseph didn’t get it. They could not comprehend what He meant about His
Father’s business despite all they had already seen fulfilled of the angel’s
announcements to them.
Luke
2:51 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.
Susan: Jesus went home in obedience
and submission to His earthly parents.
Susie: He humbled Himself to live as
a teenager in His parents’ home even though He was God in the flesh.
Luke
2:52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.
Susan: Jesus grew intellectually and
physically. He was well-respected in His community and brought pleasure and glory
to God, His Father.
QUESTIONS
1.
How might this passage be used to encourage
young teenagers?
2.
Would it have helped you navigate teen years to
understand that Jesus Himself had to pass through teenaged years?
3.
If you were Mary, what kind of diary entry might
you have written after finding Jesus safe and sound with the elders in the
temple?
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