Lesson 9 – The Boy Jesus in the Temple

As a boy, Jesus was found in His Father’s house. In God’s house, I hear His Word, learn that Jesus is my Savior, and receive His gifts of forgiveness and salvation.

Opening

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

Watch the video, "This Year Will Be Different".

Which person or words most connected with you? Why?

Do you ever "feel separated from something" as one character said? If so, what? Sometimes, we feel distance in relationships or from groups. Sin separates us from God. We can even feel separated from our own feelings.

Do you ever want to "live your life God's way"? What does that mean? As Christians, were called to live as His people, to love, accept, and forgive one another as God in Christ forgives us, and to share Jesus' message of love in our words and actions.

As you read through this lesson, look for help in living God's way.

Prayer: O Holy Spirit, let Your Word dwell in us richly, today and every day. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.

God Speaks

When Jesus was twelve years old, he visited the Temple in Jerusalem. It's the only recorded event of Jesus' childhood.

Print out the Student Page at the end of the lesson and follow the directions.

As a boy in the temple, Jesus asked questions of the religious teachers, which was a common way of learning. In His questions, Jesus showed His amazing knowledge and wisdom, even at His young age. So, today, you ask the questions!

Read Luke 2:41-52, and then write questions to ask everyone else. Questions might ask about the Scripture verses. They might ask about Bible culture, opinions, or meaning. You might question something you wonder about but don't know how to answer. We'll try to find the answers together.

Here are some facts that might help answer your questions:

• Jesus' parents attended Passover "according to custom" (verse 42), showing they were faithful, obedient believers in God.
• "Twelve seems to be the age of maturity in religious matters".
• Passover was one of three main religious festivals that brought people to the temple in Jerusalem each year. It commemorated the day the angel of death passed over the Jewish homes that had lamb's blood on their doorposts and the resulting release of the Jewish slaves by Pharaoh. The celebration involved the liturgical slaying of a lamb at the temple by each family and a meal of that lamb after sundown that day.
• Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread together commemorated the exodus and lasted seven days, but Jews were required to stay for only two days.
• Jewish historian Josephus said that by the first century, most Jews traveled only for one feast annually because of the long distances involved, and that feast was Passover.
• Jerusalem's population swelled several times its usual size on major feast days, as tens of thousands of Jews came to the festivals.
• The Romans built stone roads in their empire, but during Jesus' earthly life, most Judean roads were well-worn dirt paths. Most people walked to religious festivals in Jerusalem in large groups, along with families and neighbors. These groups gave protection from robbers and help in case of illness or injury. People also had fun traveling together. They talked and sang.
• People designated meeting places for the evening, in case of separation.
• Jesus' parents did not miss Him until they had traveled a whole day. We don't know why. The large crowds might explain this, or perhaps each thought He was with the other or with their relatives or acquaintances (verse 44).
• It took at least a day for Mary and Joseph to travel back to Jerusalem, and they didn't find Jesus until the third day.
• Mary and Joseph found Jesus in the temple with members of the Sanhedrin Pharisees, and Sadducees. Many were also rabbis. They all would meet at the temple to discuss God's Word. Jesus sat with these important men, listening to them and asking them questions (verse 46). This was a common way the rabbis taught.
• The religious teachers were amazed at Jesus' understanding and answers. As Jesus grew, He increased in wisdom and favor with God and men (verses 40, 52).
• Already at this young age, Jesus gave indications of His special identity. Although He lived in the generally disrespected Galilee, He astonished the religious teachers with His understanding of God's Word.
• Mary and Joseph felt astonished and upset that their Son caused them so much distress. They did not understand why Jesus stayed in Jerusalem, even after He told them He must be in His Father's house (verses 48-50).
• Even though the angel Gabriel told Mary and Joseph that Jesus was the Savior who would redeem God's people, they did not understand what this meant.
• Jesus was obedient to His parents. He returned to Nazareth with Mary and Joseph and was submissive to them (verse 51).
• Mary treasured these things in her heart (verses 19, 51).

We Live

Answer the questions on the right side of the Student Page.

So, did Jesus sin when He stayed in Jerusalem? Why or why not? No, Jesus never sinned. As He told His parents, He had to be in His Father's house. He was obedient and submissive to His parents, not disrespectful or sassy.

Why did Jesus stay behind in the temple? Read Psalm 69:9 (on Student Page). Jesus' passion and zeal for God's Word compelled Him to stay in His "Father's house.

What is the significance of this event in Jesus life? Jesus demonstrated His love for God's Word and a growing independence from His earthly parents as He moved into adulthood, starting at age twelve.

What did the sinless Christ do that no other person could do? Read 1 Peter 2:22-25 (from Student Page). Death is a consequence of sin (Romans 6:23). But the sinless Christ took our sins on Himself in His body on the tree (cross; verse. 24). Jesus paid for our sins, taking the punishment we deserved. No other person could stand in our place, because we all sin. Yet, no one forced Jesus to suffer and die for our sins. He freely gave up His life and took it up again on the day of the resurrection

How did Jesus' perfect life, death, and resurrection change reality for all who believe in Him (verses 24-25)? Jesus paid for our sin so that we can die to sin and live as His righteous people, serving Him with joy. By His wounds we are healed, as prophesied by Isaiah (53:5). We were straying sinners, but in Christ, we have returned to God.

Holy Baptism connects us to Jesus' death and resurrection. Through Baptism, we are called to live His life and do as He does. How do we reflect Christ in our lives? The point here is not to be legalistic but to understand the Christological life given to us in Holy Baptism and sustained in the Lord's Supper and in Confession and Absolution. On our own, we cannot reflect Christ; only through faith, given by the Holy Spirit, do we reflect Christ in our lives. None of these gifts is about what we do; they are all about what Christ has done for us.

Closing

Prayer: Almighty and eternal God, thank You for sending Your Son to redeem us. Empower us to live as Your forgiven, much loved children. Help us to witness to the love You show us and to do the good works You prepared for us to do for You and Your kingdom. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.