Jesus Celebrates the Passover

Luke 2:39–52
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Nothing is told us in any of the Gospels of Jesus’ character and work from his infancy until the age of thirty, except here. This incident is recorded to teach us about the developing ministry and wisdom of the Lord in his youth. At Passover time every year each Jewish family was to go to Jerusalem, to the temple, to remember  how God had led them out of Egypt and protected  them from the angel of death. When Jesus was  12 years old, He went with Mary and Joseph to the feast of the Passover (vv. 39-42. On the return trip back to Nazareth, Joseph and Mary supposed Jesus was among the crowd, but when they looked for him they could not find Him. As I read this I think of Christmas. Just like Joseph and Mary, it is so easy for us to lose Jesus in the crowd of Christmas and not even realize it. In this passage we find that:

1. They didn’t even know he was gone - “knew not of it” (v.  43), and He was gone for three days (v. 46). Many families and churches today are busy in activities and even going to services and don’t even realize that Jesus is not with them.
2. They thought everything was OK - “supposing Him to have been in the company” (v. 44). Just because we are going to Church and involved in activities does not mean that Jesus is with us. It is Jesus’ Birthday and who gets all the gifts while He is left out?
3. They tried to find Him in the wrong place - “sought Him among their kinsfolk and friends” (v. 44). It is so easy for us to try to find Him in the busy activities of family and friends when we need to go back to where we left him - “turned back again to Jerusalem” (v. 45).

Application

Just like the Inn keeper the world has no room for Jesus. I will never find Him in the crowds and activities of this world but only through seeking fellowship with Him in His Word and prayer.