A Devotional – SEARCH THE SCRIPTURES (76)



SCRIPTURE REFERENCES:  Luke 2:41-50 – The Eternal Plan of God - Jesus
His parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover. And when He was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem according to the custom of the feast. 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; but supposing Him to have been in the company, they went a day’s journey, and sought Him among their relatives and acquaintances. So, when they did not find Him, they returned to Jerusalem, seeking Him. 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. And all who heard Him were astonished at His understanding and answers. 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.” And He said to them, “Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business?” But they did not understand the statement which He spoke to them. 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. And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.

SEARCH THE SCRIPTURES: Jesus, the Christ of God/Messiah
Following C.I. Scofield’s timeline of the birth of Jesus Christ, that around 19 AD when Jesus was 12, He had a meeting with the religious leaders of that day. I have to think that the meeting was impromptu since there are no scriptural references in the Old Testament to connect this meeting with any prophesy concerning Jesus at this age.

However, have you ever temporarily lost a child at the mall, or grocery store (hopefully not for three days). I remember a pastor friend some years ago told us of his journey with his parents and relatives in other vehicles to some state park for a picnic. He was less than ten years old and his parents believed that he was with the relatives in one of the other cars, left for home (no cell phones in those days) without him. So, children do get lost, even in this day and age in similar ways as the Boy Jesus did, back in His day. My pastor friend was sitting on a curb for a few hours, but all is well… they found him safe. 

The point I intend to make is that while The Christ is no ordinary Child, yet at the age of 12, or at any age leading up to His three-and one half-year ministry, His life was ordinary and routine, but without sin. Jesus made good use of this time by going to the temple. The temple must have been the safest place to go. At the age of 12, Jesus had not experienced the Bar-Mizpah which I believe came when a Jewish male child reaches 13. There was no small group of men questioning Jesus as we see in Luke 2:47 – And all who heard Him were astonished at His understanding and answers.

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