Jesus, who was twelve and attending Passover in Jerusalem with his parents, was attending the required temple education as preparation for his adult life as a Jew. Adult life for Jewish children started at their thirteenth birthday. Seated around him would have been many other twelve-year-old boys. The boys were to listen, answer questions, and ask questions as the rabbis instructed them. This was the common way for teaching in most societies in his day.
Jesus displayed an understanding of scripture that marveled the religious leaders during exchanges with renowned rabbis. The unusual wisdom came from a previous study of the Bible, and that comes from the Holy Spirit. This is a gift given to many Christians since the day of Pentecost.
The plan was for Jesus to undergo this important education when Joseph and Mary went to Jerusalem for Passover, as they did annually, as required by the Mosaic law. They obviously had a planned day and time of departure. Like many, they traveled with a group of relatives and friends for protection and joyful camaraderie. After a long day’s travel, they would have stopped east of Jericho, west of the Jordan River. Upon arrival, they found that Jesus could not be found. So they returned to Jerusalem to find their son. Had Jesus betrayed his parents’ trust in him on the verge of his adult life? (More in the next BDBD.)
