A Boy of Twelve

Jesus is found sitting in the temple…discussing the law and teaching…

Who are you seeking?

Walking with Jesus, have you now lost him on your journey?

Despair and concern grips your heart, because you realize Jesus’ presence is nowhere to be found. You search frantically in the crowd no one has seen him. Your relatives don’t know where he’s gone. You’ve traveled on for days, where could he be? Then you know what you must do. Return to the beginning from where you last saw him. Retrace your steps and search with all your heart until you find him again.

Jesus has not left you or abandoned you. Jesus is not far. Look in His father’s house that is where you will find him doing His father’s work. Return back to the city in the holy temple you find him there, he never left. You left him. Return to your first love and inquire of him. He is there now.

A boy of twelve, is sitting, in the assembly of teachers, not standing, he was one of them. For he taught them as one with wisdom and authority well beyond his years. They were astonished but did not recognize who he was. But you recognize him. You find him and what joy fills your heart, what relief that he was there all the time.

There are lots of things that are said about this passage of scripture. But what I saw this morning as I read it, was something and it touched my heart in a new and refreshing light.

Jesus is a boy; he’s twelve years old. And as, was, his custom, he came to Jerusalem for Passover. It took his parents three days to find him. Three days in the temple, discussing the law with men of learning, men who were the teachers now being taught by a child.  Jesus spoke as one of the ancients and these teachers were amazed.

His parents must have been devastated when they didn’t find Jesus in their caravan going back to Nazareth. The guilt they must have felt and fear. “We’ve lost the Messiah. He was put in our care and now we can’t find him.” Not to mention the love of a mother at the thought of the loss of her child. It says Mary pondered all these things in her heart; she knew who her son was and understood what his future would be. “Where is he?”

Jesus knew he had to do his father’s will but that would not come until many years later.

He’d be taken to the temple not for discussion and teachings, not sitting, but standing, he would be accused. He’d be mocked and scorned and beaten.

Mary would weep and lament over the loss of her child but this time it would be because he had been crucified. Three days he’d be gone. Three days of waiting and grieving.

But the joy she receives on that third day when she finds him and he reappears to her as the risen Lord. He would go and sit in the presence of the Living God. True King. True Messiah and He will come back again.

Once a boy of twelve; a man of 33, at Passover… Now Eternal, risen Savior, Jesus lives.

Are you having a Passover experience? Have you lost Jesus and can’t find him? Is your soul tormented and devastated because of loss and hurt and pain? Have you searched the crowds to find him? But he isn’t there.

Go back to the temple. You will find Jesus waiting there for you. Receive His love and His joy and His peace. Get off the road you’re traveling and go back to the city of God! Don’t let anything stop your seeking for him.

Christians and unbelievers are celebrating Easter this Sunday. Jesus is everywhere and you don’t have to go to a Church to find him. But let me just say this. If you, will go, to Church, this Sunday, you will see that Jesus is being celebrated in a miraculous way. And you will find him there. He’ll be teaching and sitting among the congregation. He wants you to know, he loves you, and he died and lives so you can live. Your life will be forever changed and if you let him he will transform you and give you hope, and life. He will restore you and adore you. Open the tomb of your heart today and let Jesus come in. Amen!

Luke 2:41-51 English Standard Version (ESV)

The Boy Jesus in the Temple

Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover. And when he was twelve years old, they went up according to custom. And when the feast was ended, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents did not know it, but supposing him to be in the group they went a day’s journey, but then they began to search for him among their relatives and acquaintances, and when they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem, searching for him. After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. And when his parents saw him, they were astonished. And his mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us so? Behold, your father and I have been searching for you in great distress.” And he said to them, “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” And they did not understand the saying that he spoke to them. And he went down with them and came to Nazareth and was submissive to them. And his mother treasured up all these things in her heart.