After Jesus (1) and His family returned to Nazareth (2) from their Flight into Egypt (3), the Holy Bible (4) mentions Him only one other time before His Ministry (5) begins. The account of the young Jesus in the Temple (6) is recorded only in the Gospel (7) of Luke (8) (Luke 2:41-52).
 
Every year in the Spring, Jesus and His family would travel to the Temple in Jerusalem (9) to celebrate Passover (10). This Festival of the Lord (11) commemorated God's (12) mercy (13) when He said He would "pass over" the households of the Israelites (14) on the night the firstborn of Egypt (15) were slain (Exodus 12:12-13), leading to the subsequent Exodus (16) of the Israelites from Egyptian bondage. Luke's narrative tells us that Jesus was twelve years old this particular year as The Holy Family (17) made the pilgrimage. This endeavor was probably by way of a sizable caravan, together with other families from their region. A first century carpool or convoy, so to speak…
 
Once the week-long Festival was over, everyone packed up for their respective journeys home. Unbeknownst to  Joseph (18) and Mary (19), Jesus did not leave with the caravan headed to Nazareth. Instead, He stayed behind in Jerusalem. After a day's travel, His parents noticed Jesus was not in the caravan, so they returned to Jerusalem to look for Him.
 
After three long days of searching for their missing boy, Joseph and Mary located Jesus in the Temple courts. He was sitting amongst the teachers, asking them questions and listening to them. His parents were astonished and everyone there was amazed at His understanding and answers.
 
Mary's recorded exchange with Jesus reveal her fear and frustration that had built up during the three day search for Him. Mary asked Jesus, “Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you.” The young Jesus replied, “Why were you searching for me? Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?" At the time, nobody understood what young Jesus meant by this.
 
Luke's account concludes with Jesus and His parents returning home to Nazareth. The narrative further shares that Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.
 

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If you're seeking additional info about Christianity on a more personal level, consider visiting a Christian Church here in Marion County (20). Introduce yourself to members and ask to speak with someone to learn more about Jesus. Surrendering your life to Christ (21) (b) is the most rewarding, everlasting decision you'll ever make, and it's comforting to have someone guide you as you begin your new life as a child of the Most High! May God shower you with great favor in this endeavor!
 

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Footnotes, Page Credits and External Resources appear below. Consider printing and sharing the offered PDF narrative and other listed resources with family, friends and strangers alike for use in Bible Studies (22), Home/Church Faith Sharing Groups (23), Discipleship Encounters (24) and/or Personal Faith Enrichment!
 
Modifications are welcome at [email protected].
 

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FOOTNOTES:
  (1) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/jesus-christ
  (2) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/return-to-nazareth
  (3) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/flight-into-egypt
  (4) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/the-good-news
  (5) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/ministry-of-jesus
  (6) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/temple-first
  (7) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/the-four-gospels
  (8) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/luke
  (9) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/jerusalem
(10) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/passover
(11) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/festivals-of-the-lord
(12) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/God-of-the-bible
(13) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/mercy
(14) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/twelve-tribes-of-israel
(15) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/egypt
(16) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/exodus-from-egypt
(17) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/the-holy-family
(18) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/joseph
(19) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/mary-mother-of-jesus
(20) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/listing-by-city
(21) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/the-gracious-visitor
(22) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/bible-studies
(23) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/christian-education
(24) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/discipleship
 
PAGE CREDITS:
  (a) Bible Gateway, New International Version (NIV) Bible, accessed September 18, 2020, https://www.biblegateway.com/
 
EXTERNAL RESOURCES:
  (b)  How Do I Convert to Christianity?, Got Questions Ministries, accessed January 12, 2020    https://www.gotquestions.org/convert-to-Christianity.html