Jesus Celebrates the Passover
April 9, 2021
Commentary
Nothing is told us in any of the Gospels of Jesus’ character and work from his infancy until the age of thirty, except here. This incident is recorded to teach us about the developing ministry and wisdom of the Lord in his youth. At Passover time every year each Jewish family was to go to Jerusalem, to the temple, to remember how God had led them out of Egypt and protected them from the angel of death. When Jesus was 12 years old, He went with Mary and Joseph to the feast of the Passover (vv. 39-42. On the return trip back to Nazareth, Joseph and Mary supposed Jesus was among the crowd, but when they looked for him they could not find Him. As I read this I think of Christmas. Just like Joseph and Mary, it is so easy for us to lose Jesus in the crowd of Christmas and not even realize it. In this passage we find that:
They didn’t even know he was gone – “knew not of it” (v. 43), and He was gone for three days (v. 46). Many families and churches today are busy in activities and even going to services and don’t even realize that Jesus is not with them.They thought everything was OK – “supposing Him to have been in the company” (v. 44). Just because we are going to Church and involved in activities does not mean that Jesus is with us. It is Jesus’ Birthday and who gets all the gifts while He is left out?They tried to find Him in the wrong place – “sought Him among their kinsfolk and friends” (v. 44). It is so easy for us to try to find Him in the busy activities of family and friends when we need to go back to where we left him – “turned back again to Jerusalem” (v. 45).
Application
Just like the Inn keeper the world has no room for Jesus. I will never find Him in the crowds and activities of this world but only through seeking fellowship with Him in His Word and prayer.
Luke 2:39– 52 (NET)
39 So when Joseph and Mary had performed everything according to the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. 40 And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom, and the favor of God was upon him.
41 Now Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem every year for the Feast of the Passover. 42 When he was twelve years old, they went up according to custom. 43 But when the feast was over, as they were returning home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents did not know it, 44 but (because they assumed that he was in their group of travelers) they went a day’s journey. Then they began to look for him among their relatives and acquaintances. 45 When they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem to look for him. 46 After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. 47 And all who heard Jesus were astonished at his understanding and his answers. 48 When his parents saw him, they were overwhelmed. His mother said to him, “Child, why have you treated us like this? Look, your father and I have been looking for you anxiously.” 49 But he replied, “Why were you looking for me? Didn’t you know that I must be in my Father’s house?” 50 Yet his parents did not understand the remark he made to them. 51 Then he went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them. But his mother kept all these things in her heart.
52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature, and in favor with God and with people.