“Each year his parents [Mary and Joseph] went to Jerusalem for the feast of Passover, and when he [Jesus] was twelve years old, they went up according to festival custom” (Luke 2:41-42).

Why include the curious detail of Jesus’ age?  At twelve years of age, Jesus becomes a young man, moving from childhood into adulthood. The emphasis is placed upon a coming of age, both for Jesus and also for his parents.

“Thinking that he [Jesus] was in the caravan, they [his parents] journeyed for a day and looked for him among their relatives and acquaintances, but not finding him, they returned to Jerusalem to look for him” (vv. 44-45).

It is so important to understand the culture of the time. The women would have traveled together and the same holds true with the men. The mother of Jesus with her friends, the father of Jesus with his friends thought he was elsewhere – with the mother or the father or his friends.

This has nary anything to do with disobedience of a child nor with irresponsibility of parents. Resist temptations to impose 21st century practices on 1st century culture.

“After three days they found him in the temple,…” (v. 46)

Why three days? It will be after three days of Jesus’ deathly disappearance, that he will rise and find his own. The Temple event is unmistakably connected with his ultimate replacement of Temple worship with his resurrected and glorified Body.

“…, sitting in the midst of the teachers, listening to them, and asking them questions,” (v. 46).

Coming of age happens through attentive listening, seeking to understand, and asking thoughtful questions.

“And he [Jesus] said to them [his parents], “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” (v. 50).

Jesus’ reply signals a turning point in the Gospel. These are the first words Jesus speaks in Luke’s Gospel. Jesus belongs to God. Jesus belongs where God’s Word is. His coming of age moves him to be about his heavenly Father’s business. The time of separation nears. In fact, the following Gospel episode will be the beginning of Jesus’ public ministry in the activity of John the Baptist.

“…his mother kept all these things in her heart” (v. 51).

The parents do not understand (v. 50). Notice carefully, however, that they do not reject him. All these things, those things understood as well as those things not understood, are stored in Mary’s heart to be considered prayerfully, knowing God’s provident goodness and waiting for God’s good time when everything becomes clear.