Boy Jesus on the Loose

Did Jesus Ditch His Parents?

Let's check the record: Luke 2:41-51

Luke Chapter 2, Verse 41:

Now Jesus' parents went up to Jerusalem every year for the Feast of the Passover.

Verse 42: When Jesus became twelve, they went up to Jerusalem according to the custom of the Feast.

The Passover Feast began at sunset on March 8th, 9 AD,  and ended seven days later at sunset again. The 8th day was for traveling home.

43 As his parents were returning on the eighth day, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem.

43-44 But his parents were unaware of it, and supposed him to be in the caravan.

44 After a day's journey, they began looking for him among their relatives and acquaintances.

45 When they didn't find Jesus, they returned to Jerusalem looking for him.

46a Then after three days they found him in the temple.

46b He was sitting in the midst of the teachers, listening to them,

46c And asking questions.

47a All who heard him were amazed at his understanding,

47b And impressed by his answers.

48a When his parents saw him, they were astonished.

48b His mother said to him, "Son, why have you treated us this way?"

48c "Look! Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you!"

Wait! I thought Jesus was sinless! Didn't he just sin against his parents?  The answer is no, this sin would not be counted against Jesus. You see, he was only 12 years old and had not had his 'bar Mitzvah' (son of the Law) celebration. Joseph was responsible for his misdeed, and may have had to atone for not instructing Jesus properly or supervising him sufficiently.

49 But Jesus said, "Why were you looking for me? Didn't you know I had to be in my Father?

Some translations will report, "Didn't you know I had to be about my Father's business?" Other versions will say, "Didn't you know I had to be in my Father's house?" Both translations are speculative, and both are wrong. The original Greek says simply, "in my Father." But what does that mean?

50 But his parents did not understand this statement of his.

Jesus' parents may not have known that Jesus was talking about his Heavenly Father, not his earthly father Joseph. Many years later, the apostle John had the answer that his parents did not have. In John's first letter to the churches, John writes, "Jesus appeared in order to take away sins; and in him there is no sin. No one who abides in Jesus sins; and no one who does sin has seen Jesus or knows Jesus" (1 John 3:5-6). Just as Jesus had to abide "in" his heavenly Father, so you and I must abide "in" Jesus. If we do that, our sins will be forgiven and will not count against us.

51a So Jesus came down from Jerusalem with them and returned to Nazareth, where he continued in subjection to his parents.

Jesus had made a mistake. He had jumped the gun and ditched his parents. The time had not yet been fulfilled when Jesus should show himself to the world, and would eventually die to atone for the sins of the world. While he waited for that, it was time for him to grow in wisdom.

51b His mother treasured all these things in her heart.

52 Jesus kept increasing in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.

And when Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist, he moved fully into his new position of being the light of the world, and bringing peace between man and God.

BONUS: For your coloring book.