Day 5 — Jesus at Twelve

“Finally, after three days they found Him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. And all who heard Him were astounded at His understanding and His answers… ‘Why were you looking for Me?’ He asked. ‘Did you not know that I had to be in My Father’s house?’”

— Luke 2:46–47, 49 (BSB)

The Bible doesn’t tell us much about Jesus as a kid. But it does tell us one story from when He was twelve years old. That might be about your age right now!

Every year, Jesus’ family traveled to Jerusalem for a big celebration called the Passover. People traveled in large groups of family and friends, walking together for days. When the celebration was over, Mary and Joseph headed home. They thought Jesus was somewhere in the crowd with relatives or friends.

But after a whole day of walking, they couldn’t find Him anywhere! Can you imagine how scared they must have been? They rushed back to Jerusalem and searched for three days.

Finally they found Him in the temple, the house of God. Jesus was sitting with the teachers of God’s law. He was listening to them and asking them questions. And everyone was amazed at how much He understood.

Mary said, “Child, why have You done this to us? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for You.” And Jesus answered, “Did you not know that I had to be in My Father’s house?”

Jesus already knew something very important: God was His Father, and He loved being near Him. Even at twelve, Jesus wanted to listen to God’s Word, ask questions about it and understand it.

Then the Bible tells us Jesus went home with His parents and obeyed them. Even though He was God’s Son, He respected Mary and Joseph.

Here’s what this story means for you. You’re not too young to love God and to want to know Him. You’re not too young to ask big questions about the Bible. Jesus asked questions too! And loving God goes together with obeying your parents, not against it.

Think about it: What is a question you have about God or the Bible? Who could you ask?

Try this: Write down one question about God or the Bible. Ask a parent, a pastor or a teacher at church about it this week.

Dear God, thank You that Jesus was once a kid like me. Help me love being close to You the way He did. Give me a hunger to learn about You and to ask good questions. And help me honor and obey my parents too. In Jesus’ name, Amen.