“DIDN’T YOU KNOW I HAD TO BE…?”

Passage: Luke 2:41-52

Key verse: 49

NIV

The Boy Jesus at the Temple

41 Every year Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem for the Festival of the Passover.(A) 42 When he was twelve years old, they went up to the festival, according to the custom. 43 After the festival was over, while his parents were returning home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but they were unaware of it. 44 Thinking he was in their company, they traveled on for a day. Then they began looking for him among their relatives and friends. 45 When they did not find him, they went back to Jerusalem to look for him. 46 After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. 47 Everyone who heard him was amazed(B) at his understanding and his answers. 48 When his parents saw him, they were astonished. His mother(C) said to him, “Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father(D) and I have been anxiously searching for you.”

49 “Why were you searching for me?” he asked. “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?”[a](E) 50 But they did not understand what he was saying to them.(F)

51 Then he went down to Nazareth with them(G) and was obedient to them. But his mother treasured all these things in her heart.(H) 52 And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.(I)

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Footnotes
  1. Luke 2:49 Or be about my Father’s business
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

The Boy Jesus in the Temple

41 Now (A)his parents went (B)to Jerusalem every year at (C)the Feast of the Passover. 42 And when he was twelve years old, (D)they went up according to custom. 43 And when the feast (E)was ended, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. (F)His parents did not know it, 44 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, 45 and when they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem, searching for him. 46 After three days they found him in the temple, (G)sitting among (H)the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. 47 And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. 48 And when his parents[a] saw him, they were astonished. And his mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us so? Behold, (I)your father and I have been searching for you in great distress.” 49 And he said to them, “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that (J)I must be in (K)my Father's house?”[b] 50 And (L)they did not understand the saying that he spoke to them. 51 And he went down with them and came to Nazareth and was submissive to them. And (M)his mother treasured up all these things in her heart.

52 And Jesus (N)increased in wisdom and in stature[c] and in (O)favor with God and man.

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Footnotes
  1. Luke 2:48 Greek they
  2. Luke 2:49 Or about my Father's business
  3. Luke 2:52 Or years
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

Thanks to Luke, we have one story of Jesus as a 12-year-old boy. Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem every year for the Passover, which was a 3-day journey on foot. They brought 12-year-old Jesus along. But one day into their journey back home, they realized Jesus was not with them! They lost the Son of God! They anxiously searched the playgrounds and the fruit markets. Finally, they found him at the temple. He was listening to the teachers and asking them questions, and people were amazed at his understanding. Even 12-year-old boys can have a great desire to know God.

Mary rebuked Jesus for making them worry so much. Boy Jesus replied, “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?” The Greek literally translates to “my Father’s things.” So, some translate this as “about my Father’s business.” It could refer to the place—the temple—or to the activity—the teaching of God’s word. Indeed, Jesus came to fulfill, par excellence, the meaning of the temple and the teaching of God’s word. Boy Jesus went home, was obedient, and grew in wisdom, in stature, and in favor with God and man.

Prayer: Lord, may I have such a heart to seek you and the truth. May I also encourage this in young people. May we grow in wisdom and in your favor.

One Word: Grow like Jesus in wisdom and God’s favor