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The Passage

Luke 2:39-52 NKJV

39 So when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their [own] city, Nazareth. 40 And the Child grew and became strong in spirit, filled with wisdom; and the grace of God was upon Him.

41 His parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover. 42 And when He was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem according to the custom of the feast. 43 When they had finished the days, as they returned, the Boy Jesus lingered behind in Jerusalem. And Joseph and His mother did not know [it]; 44 but supposing Him to have been in the company, they went a day's journey, and sought Him among [their] relatives and acquaintances. 45 So when they did not find Him, they returned to Jerusalem, seeking Him.

46 Now so it was [that] after three days they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both listening to them and asking them questions. 47 And all who heard Him were astonished at His understanding and answers. 48 So when they saw Him, they were amazed; and His mother said to Him, "Son, why have You done this to us? Look, Your father and I have sought You anxiously."

49 And He said to them, "Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father's business?" 50 But they did not understand the statement which He spoke to them.

51 Then He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was subject to them, but His mother kept all these things in her heart. 52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.

A Little Background

When Pharaoh refused to allow the Israelites to leave Egypt, God sent plagues to warn Pharaoh to let His people go.  The tenth and final plague was to kill all the firstborn of the land.  God warned that if they would sacrifice a perfect lamb and place its blood on the sides and top of the doorpost, the plague would not come into their home.  All of Israel obeyed, but all the firstborn of Egypt died because they did not believe God.  This event is called the Passover because God passed over the homes of the Israelites who put the blood over their doors.

The next day God led the Israelites out of Egypt into the wilderness.  There He made a covenant with them and established His law.  One of God’s requirements was to remember that fateful night every year by a feast and holiday known as the Passover. 

Some Explanation

Every year Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover as many Jews would do.  I am a Gentile, but it’s not hard to imagine what this scene might be like.  I remember many years of traveling to be with family for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or Easter holidays.  Our children would look forward to fun times with cousins, aunts, and uncles.  So, I can imagine children asking parents, “Please, can I walk with John’s family?”  “Can Mary walk with us?”  No doubt children played games and told stories as they made the long trip together. 

And after the celebration was over, the children surely asked the same questions for the return trip home.  Perhaps Joseph and Mary assumed that Jesus was walking with cousins and friends as the families walked the long miles together.  When the day wore on, and they began to prepare to camp for the night, they noticed that Jesus was not with them.  I can certainly imagine their fear as they searched for Him for three days! 

I can understand the intensity of Mary’s rebuking question, “Son, why have You done this to us? Look, Your father and I have sought You anxiously." But Jesus “had been about His Father’s business” listening to the teachers and asking them questions. 

Observations and Insights

What an interesting scenario it must have been as these elderly, and learned teachers exchanged with this 12-year old boy!  They didn’t know that it was The Lamb of the Passover Who was astounding them with His understanding and answers. 

This account in Jesus’ life is fascinating to consider.  First of all, as God the Son, Jesus became subject to His parents.  Can we really comprehend what this meant?  The issue here is not that Jesus was being rebellious (He was not), but as God in flesh, it must have been challenging to submit to sinful, fallible parents.  Over twelve years before, Mary had been visited by Gabriel telling her that she would give birth to the Son of the Most High God.  The shepherds brought news of the angels’ declaration that the baby was Christ—the Messiah, and the wise men had brought valuable gifts and worshiped Him.  Mary kept all those events in her heart and considered them.

Still, she did not understand what Jesus meant when He said that it was by necessity (dei—Strong’s #G1163) that He be about His Father’s business.  George W. Wright states:

It may seem strange that Mary—the one to whom the angel had revealed the scope of Jesus’ ministry (Luke 1:26-38)—did not grasp the meaning of His words.  But He would face this problem of slow understanding of His mission by others during His entire ministry.  Christ spoke plainly, but human ears were slow to understand.  (A Simplified Harmony of the Gospels, pg. 25)

We, too, are often slow of understanding.  God’s Word is simple and clear.  We are often blinded by our lack of faith in the Lord Jesus is.  Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God.  We increase our faith and understanding of truth when we stay in the Word.  Psalm 119:130 says that the entrance of His Word gives light, it gives understanding to the simple.  I am just a simple sheep, but He guides me into all truth when I keep my mind focused on Him and His Word.

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