E
very year Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem for the Passover feast. Many Jews tried to go to a feast in Jerusalem at least once a year. Children went with their parents, and everyone travelled in groups. When Jesus was 12 years old, the family went to Jerusalem for the Passover feast as usual. After the feast was over, everyone left the city to go back home. There were many people in the city, and the group in which they travelled was large. Jesus’ parents did not see him, but they thought he was somewhere in the group with his friends. At the end of the day Jesus’ parents began to look for him. They looked among their relatives and friends, but Jesus was nowhere. At last they realised he must have stayed behind and they went back to Jerusalem to look for their son. Jesus was not at the place where they had stayed. His parents could not find him anywhere. Then, after three days, they went to the temple, and there they found Jesus in the courtyard. He was with the teachers. He was listening to them and asking them questions. The teachers also asked him some questions and were amazed at his answers. This boy understood the scriptures very well indeed! They were all enjoying the conversation very much.
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