“And He said to them, ‘Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?’” (Luke 2:49)
Jesus’ parents traveled to Jerusalem every year for the feast of Passover. There they went to the temple to celebrate.
When boys reached the age of twelve they would travel with their parents to visit the temple in Jerusalem with family and acquaintances for this important moment: the celebration of the Passover, the feast when Israelites commemorated their liberation from slavery in Egypt.
Passover lambs were killed and eaten. Blood flowed. After this celebration ended, the people returned home. Joseph and Mary also made their way to Nazareth, but Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem.
His parents thought He was walking with other people who were also returning home. So they traveled for a day and in the meantime looked for Him among relatives and acquaintances. But they didn’t find Him and were very worried! They went back to Jerusalem to look for Jesus.
After three days, they found Him in the temple. He was sitting there among the religious teachers. He was listening to them and asking questions. The people who heard Him were amazed at how wise He was and the answers He gave.
When Jesus’ parents saw Him, they were astonished, and His mother said to Him, “Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you.”
But He answered, “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business?”
Joseph and Mary did not understand what Jesus was speaking about. But when they returned home, Mary treasured all these things in her heart.
When do you think Joseph and Mary realized that Jesus was speaking about His Father in heaven?