Jesus in his Father’s house

Every 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.

When Mary saw her son sitting there so happily, she was upset. She said, “Son, why did you do this to us? We were so worried about you! We looked everywhere for you and we could not find you!” Jesus said, “You know how much I love my heavenly Father. You should have known I would be here in his house!”

His parents did not understand his answer. But Jesus immediately got up and went with his parents. They all went back to their home in Nazareth. Jesus obeyed his parents. As he grew older, he became wiser and stronger. Everyone like him, and God was pleased with him. Jesus’ mother was still thinking about everything that happened to Jesus. She kept it like a secret treasure in her heart. Luke 2:41-52