03.05. Twelve years old

Twelve years old The family of Joseph and Mary grew steadily, and by the time Jesus was twelve years old he no doubt had several younger brothers and sisters.¹ It must have taken some effort for the family to travel to Jerusalem each year for the Passover festival, but, as God-fearing believers, the parents accepted this as one of their responsibilities.² Inconvenience is no excuse for failure to do what God requires. By twelve years of age, Jewish boys were being prepared for adult religious life, so while his family was in Jerusalem, Jesus took the opportunity to learn all he could. In the Jewish system, teacher and pupil took turns asking and answering questions. These usually concerned details of the law, but Jesus’ teachers noticed that he was different. His questions and answers showed that he was more concerned with knowing God’s mind than with discussing trivial procedures. He showed intelligence and perception, but without any trace of arrogance or conceit. The teachers were impressed.

Jesus’ parents, however, were not in the mood to feel impressed. His time with the teachers had caused them trouble in looking for him. Even at this age, Jesus knew that he existed in a unique relationship with his heavenly Father, and his earthly parents had to be aware of this. As an obedient son he submitted to them, but his words gave them a lot to think about as they returned home. Not only did Jesus study the law, but back in Nazareth he learnt a practical trade, carpentry. His divinity did not exempt him from the processes of learning and growing. He ‘increased in wisdom and stature’. At each stage of life, whether child, teenager or full-grown adult, he was the sort of person one might expect at that stage – but always perfect. The perfect child grew into the perfect teenager, and in due course into the perfect adult. He developed maturity through experience, and obedience through self-denial. And all the time he ‘grew in favour’. He earned the respect and affection of the local villagers, and the approval and pleasure of his heavenly Father.³ 1. Matthew 13:55-56

2. Luke 2:41-51

3. Luke 2:52

Ceremonies at the Western Wall of Herod’s temple