Luke 2:41-51
Luke 2:41 Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the passover.
Leviticus 23:1 And the Lord spoke unto Moses, saying,
2 Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, Concerning the feasts of the Lord, which you shall proclaim to be holy convocations, even these are my feasts. 3 Six days shall work be done: but the seventh day is the sabbath of rest, an holy convocation; you shall do no work therein: it is the sabbath of the Lord in all your dwellings. 4 These are the feasts of the Lord, even holy convocations, which you shall proclaim in their seasons. 5 In the fourteenth day of the first month at even is the Lord’s passover.
Exodus 12:3 Speak you unto all the congregation of Israel, saying, In the tenth day of this month they shall take to them every man a lamb, according to the house of their fathers, a lamb for an house: … 5 Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male of the first year: you shall take it out from the sheep, or from the goats: 6 And you shall keep it up until the fourteenth day of the same month: and the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill it in the evening. 7 And they shall take of the blood, and strike it on the two side posts and on the upper door post of the houses, wherein they shall eat it.
Luke 2:42 And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast.
At the age of 12 a Jewish boy becomes a Son of the Law – Bar mitzvah. Joseph paid the redemption money for Jesus was the firstborn son, which by rights of Passover belong to God.
Numbers 18:15 Every thing that opens the matrix in all flesh, which they bring unto the Lord, whether it be of men or beasts, shall be mine: nevertheless the firstborn of man shall you surely redeem, and the firstling of unclean beasts shall you redeem. 16 And those that are to be redeemed from a month old shall you redeem, according to your estimation, for the money of five shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary, which is twenty gerahs.
Luke 2:43 And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it.
The child Jesus was now a Son of the Law, responsible to the law and obligated to follow the law with the consequence of a man.
During these times, families traveled with other families and the adults with the adults and the children walking along with their friends.
Luke 2:44 But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day’s journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance.
The ordinary day’s journey was 18 to 30 miles. But it was the custom to only travel 3 to 8 miles the first day so that if anything was left behind, the person or party could return, get what was left, and rejoin the group the next day.
Luke 2:45 And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him.
At the end of the first day’s journey, Mary and Joseph discovered that Jesus was not with them.
Luke 2:46 And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions.
They looked for Jesus in all the wrong places. They looked for him where they thought a child would be playing.
They found Him conversing with the doctors of jurisprudence. The doctors would stay after most of the people were gone home to discuss the finer points of the law and ask one another questions.
It was the custom to sit while teaching. Jesus often sat to teach.
Matthew 13:1 The same day went Jesus out of the house, and sat by the sea side. 2 And great multitudes were gathered together unto him, so that he went into a ship, and sat; and the whole multitude stood on the shore.
Luke 2:47 And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers.
God was Jesus’ teacher
Isaiah 50:4 The Lord God hath given me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him that is weary: he wakens morning by morning, he wakens mine ear to hear as the learned.
John 7:14 Now about the midst of the feast Jesus went up into the temple, and taught. 15 And the Jews marveled, saying, How knows this man letters, having never learned? 16 Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me.
John 8:26 I have many things to say and to judge of you: but he that sent me is true; and I speak to the world those things which I have heard of him. 27 They understood not that he spoke to them of the Father. 28 Then said Jesus unto them, When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall you know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself; but as my Father has taught me, I speak these things.
Psalms 119:97 O how love I your law! it is my meditation all the day. 98 You through Your commandments have made me wiser than mine enemies: for they are ever with me. 99 I have more understanding than all my teachers: for your testimonies are my meditation. 100 I understand more than the ancients, because I keep your precepts. 101 I have refrained my feet from every evil way, that I might keep your word. 102 I have not departed from your judgments: for you have taught me.103 How sweet are your words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth! 104 Through your precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way.
Luke 2:48 And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing.
This is amazing, both Mary and Joseph know that He is the son of God, yet they are amazed at His abilities and understanding.
Joseph does not speak. Even though he paid the redemption tax for Jesus, he was not the father.
Mary asked the question as to why He dealt with them in this manner – staying back without their knowledge.
Luke 2:49 And he said unto them, How is it that you sought me? wist you not that I must be about my Father’s business?
These are the first recorded words of Jesus. Note he answers this question with a question. This was a trademark of Jesus, to answer questions with a question.
Mark 12:14 And when they were come, they say unto him, Master, we know that you are true, and care for no man: for you regard not the person of men, but teach the way of God in truth: Is it lawful to give tribute to Caesar, or not? 15 Shall we give, or shall we not give? But he, knowing their hypocrisy, said unto them, Why tempt you me? bring me a penny, that I may see it. 16 And they brought it. And he said unto them, Whose is this image and superscription? And they said unto him, Caesar’s. 17 And Jesus answering said unto them, Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s. And they marveled at him.
Here Jesus proclaims that He has come to do His Father’s business. His last words are “It is Finished.” Meaning that He completed the assignment God had given him.
Luke 2:50 And they understood not the saying which he spoke unto them.
Angels had informed both Mary and Joseph as to who Jesus was from birth. Nevertheless, they were slow to realize the fullness of Jesus.
Luke 2:51 And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart.
Jesus was an obedient son, exact in keeping the law.
Deuteronomy 5:16 Honor your father and father mother, as the Lord Your God has commanded you; that your days may be prolonged, and that it may go well with you, in the land which the Lord your God gives you.
We don’t hear of Jesus for another 18 years.
Luke 3:21 Now when all the people were baptized, it came to pass, that Jesus also being baptized, and praying, the heaven was opened, 22 And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, and a voice came from heaven, which said, You are my beloved Son; in you I am well pleased. 23 And Jesus himself began to be about thirty years of age, being (as was supposed) the son of Joseph, which was the son of Heli,
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