When Jesus’ family traveled to Jerusalem for Passover, according to the Bible, he was 12 years old. His parents departed assuming he was going with them, and it wasn’t until they were halfway home that they realized he had stayed behind. I’d like to think that Jesus felt obliged to abandon what they were doing because it was monotonous, like listening to Joseph speak on carpentry. Anyway, it would have taken three days—a whole week—for the parents of Jesus to journey back to Jerusalem. Can you picture spending a week worrying about the well-being of your child? What else did Jesus do when he was that age, then?
Jesus Did Not Become a Young Adult Overnight.
Jesus did not suddenly develop into a young adult. obs pon’s pon’s to pon’s pon’s the pon’s pon’s the pon’ Jesus spent his early years in Nazareth with Joseph and Mary before the family relocated to Bethlehem for the census when he was twelve years old. Mary gave birth to her first son, Jesus Christ, while they were in Bethlehem, according to Luke 2:41–52.
Jesus did not have all the knowledge he needed when he was born (or even at age twelve). Like other children who grow up learning their trade or profession, he had many years ahead of him before reaching maturity in his ministry as the Son of God and Savior of mankind. He had much growing up still ahead of him when he began his public ministry at about thirty years old (Luke 3:23).
The Story of The Boy Jesus in The Temple Is About His Young Ministry Beginning.
The story of the boy Jesus in the temple is about his young ministry beginning. He was not there to do chores, or be a servant; he was there as a learner.
Jesus spent time with persons who served as his mentors and teachers and who instructed others in Jewish law and custom. He would have learned a lot from these guys, including how to read and study the Bible, how to discuss it with others, how to live by the law of Moses (the first five books of the Bible), and much more than we can now comprehend. From other accounts, including Mark 9, we know that Jesus subsequently started teaching his neighbors about what he had discovered.
The Boy Jesus Learned to Walk by Faith.
“The boy Jesus learned to walk by faith. He ‘increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.'”
This was a real person who had a real-life, not just some idea or story. He was flesh, blood, and bone like you and me. And he truly grew up over time! Jesus’ physical body grew from infancy into young adulthood—and there’s no reason to think otherwise.
There Is Much to Learn from This Passage of Scripture.
As you read the story of Jesus at age 12 in the temple, there are a few things to notice:
- Jesus did not become an adult overnight. He was still a child, but one with a purpose and calling in his life.
- The boy Jesus’ actions show him as a young man who walked by faith and believed God’s promises despite what he could see or understand with his own eyes.
- Even though Jesus was only 12 years old when he entered Jerusalem for Passover, he had already learned to listen and obey his earthly father (Joseph) as well as his heavenly Father (God). There is much to learn from this passage of scripture about how we can teach our children about faith!
Conclusion
We might not know exactly what Jesus did when he was 12, but we do know that God cares about every part of our lives. When we’re young, God is there to guide us as we learn and grow through difficult times. He also wants us to use our talents for Him no matter how old or young we may be. By using your gifts for the good of others, you can show God’s love in everything you do!