I hardly remember being 12 years old. I was in the 3rd grade (just kidding!). Actually, more like the start of junior high school. A child that age enters puberty and all that’s familiar begins to morph. It’s the opening steps on a path to adulthood. Still a kid, but on the cusp of change.

At the age of 12, Jesus and his extended family traveled to Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover Feast. When they started home, Jesus stayed behind among the teachers in the temple. He asked questions and discussed topics from the Scriptures. These teachers, we’re told, were amazed at his understanding and his answers.

Mary and Joseph soon discovered their son was missing from the entourage and returned to Jerusalem, frantically searching for Jesus. It took three days to discover him in the temple surrounded by clerics and professors. Not impressed by this impromptu seminar, Mary exclaimed, Son, why have you treated us so? Behold, your father and I have been searching for you in great distress! Jesus answers as his 12 year old self: Why were you looking for me?

This response reveals both the divinity and the humanity of Jesus. Jesus added, Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house? He was drawn to the temple, the nation’s center of worship. Discussing the ways of the Lord with dedicated and learned teachers scratched an itch for Jesus. Ironically, years later he would debate many of these teachers on this very same spot.

But while Jesus reveled in the intellectual stimulation, Mary and Joseph ran all over town, scared they had lost the Messiah. When they finally burst into the room, Jesus replied like most 12 year olds with panicked parents—What’s the big deal? I was here all the time. Adult Jesus would have consoled his mother. 12 year old Jesus not so much.

I love that Luke included this snippet in his gospel narrative. Jesus returned home with his parents who, after their hearts stopped racing, took careful note of this interaction. Luke tells us that Jesus went home and continued to increase in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man. He was helped along the way by a father and mother with a few more gray hairs, ones who reminded him to please let them know ahead of time before he took off on another overnight with the boys.

Luke 2:41-52

Photo by Europeana