Two Year Gospel Study Week 41

Awake Us Now

Luke 2:41-52: “Jesus at the Age of Twelve.”

Today we ask, “Why is this story of Jesus at age 12 in the Bible?” There is no mention of Jesus from age 2 -30 except this one story in the Gospel of Luke. Here’s how this story goes: In the one and only account we have of Jesus as a child we’re told he went with His parents to Jerusalem to worship and praise the Lord at Passover.

This story is a foreshadowing of what is to come. The only time He’s mentioned as a child is at the Feast of the Passover. Jesus is described elsewhere in Hebrew Scriptures as the Passover Lamb who was slain for us and now as a 12 year old He and we get a glimpse of what is to come.

After the Feast, unbeknownst to His parents, Jesus had stayed in Jerusalem when the rest of the family was heading home. When Mary and Joseph realized Jesus was not together with the family caravan, they turned back to Jerusalem to find Him. Three days later they find Him in the Temple Courts sitting with the teachers and asking and answering questions.

Did you pick up on the prophetic significance of “three days?” And it is on the third day His parents find Him alive and well. It was the third day in the grave when Jesus rises to life.. the grave could not hold Him!

Jesus’ parents found Him asking and answering questions of the teachers, who were amazed at His answers and knowledge. This too is significant for us today, because Jesus invites questions. If we look at the teachings of Jesus in the New Testament we’ll see He is asking and answering question frequently! God delights in conversation and He speaks to the deepest needs of our hearts.

When Jesus’ parents found Him they questioned Him about not having been with them. Jesus answers, “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s House.” This answer compels us ask, “Why is this significant?”

Think about this: These are the first recorded words of Jesus in the Bible! Why are they His first recorded words?

Note that Jesus calls God, “My Father.” Even as a 12 year old He understands who He is. He is announcing the day the prophets spoke of has arrived! The Messiah has come! The Redeemer of all is here.

But Mary and Joseph didn’t understand what Jesus was saying - It wasn’t until after Jesus’ resurrection that people understand who He is, what He accomplishes and what He offers to each of us.

The story ends with Jesus obediently returning to Nazareth with His parents. He displays submissive obedience, modeling this for each of us and showing us what is expected from each of us.

The standout piece of this story is that Jesus has given us the right to speak of God as “Our Father.”

So much is in this short story - not only is there a glimpse of what Jesus was like as a boy, it gives us insight into His love and compassion in asking and answering us and is a glimpse of what God desires in us in conversation and obedience. Jesus wasn’t just an extraordinary child - He is the very Son of God! Savior! And coming King!

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St. Luke’s Account is part three of our Two Year Study of the Gospels. The Gospel of Luke takes a look at the life of Jesus, beginning with the well-known Christmas stories. Luke, a non Jew, offers a unique perspective into the story of Jesus’ life.

This study is great for large group. small group or home group Bible study.