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Luke 2:39-52, The Boy Jesus Is Found in the Temple

Ever tried to have a conversation with someone who knows all there is to know? Yes, it’s incredibly frustrating. No one wants to be talked at. The joy of conversation is that two of you can come up with more together than you can do alone, as long as you are both open to growth. Learning, growing, and increasing knowledge and wisdom are what makes conversation fun.

12-year-old Jesus knew there was more to learn through questioning and conversation than self-examination. He stayed behind so he could converse with the temple teachers. What I wouldn’t give to be a fly on the wall! We will never know just what was said or what he learned. But we can follow in his footsteps. We can find joy in learning that comes through listening and openness.

Luke 2:39-52

When they had finished everything required by the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him.

Now every year his parents went to Jerusalem for the festival of the Passover. And when he was twelve years old, they went up as usual for the festival. When the festival was ended and they started to return, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but his parents did not know it. Assuming that he was in the group of travelers, they went a day’s journey. Then they started to look for him among their relatives and friends. When they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem to search for him. After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. When his parents saw him they were astonished; and his mother said to him, “Child, why have you treated us like this? Look, your father and I have been searching for you in great anxiety.” He said to them, “Why were you searching for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” But they did not understand what he said to them. Then he went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them. His mother treasured all these things in her heart. And Jesus increased in wisdom and in years, and in divine and human favor.

Earlier Event: January 5
Isaiah 42:1-9, God’s Servant