Christ Visits The Temple At Twelve Years Of Age.

Date: A.D. 8
In the beginning of Church History: Christ Visits The Temple At Twelve Years Of Age. Luke 2:41–52.
His parents went - every year - This was their constant custom, because positively enjoined by the law, Exodus 23:17. But it does not appear that infants were obliged to be present; and yet all the men-children are positively ordered to make their appearance at Jerusalem thrice in the year, Exodus 34:23. And our Lord, being now twelve years old accompanies his parents to the feast. Probably this was the very age at which the male children were obliged to appear before the Lord at the three public festivals - the feast of unleavened bread, of weeks, and of tabernacles. According to the Jewish canons, it was the age at which they were obliged to begin to learn a trade.1
When the service of the temple ended, they return home to Nazareth. That is, Joseph and Mary returned home, the child Jesus, unknown to them, stays behind. Their back was no sooner turned upon the temple, but his face was towards it; Christ had business in that place which his parents knew not of. Missing him, they assumed that he was with their friends and relatives. Men and women marched in separate companies on these occasions, which are very likely; and that sometimes the children kept company with the men, sometimes with the women. This might have led to what otherwise seems to have been inexcusable carelessness in Joseph and Mary. Joseph, not seeing Jesus in the men's company, might suppose he was with his mother in the women's company; and Mary, not seeing him with her, might imagine he was with Joseph.
They went a day's journey: They probably returned by the way of Jericho to avoid passing through Samaria, because of the hatred existing between Jews and Samaritans. In more moderns times the first day's journey is a short one, and it was probably so then. It was made so in order that the travelers might return to the city where they had departed from, should they discover that they had forgotten anything, should they find that they had forgotten a sack of meal, a blanket, or a child.
And they sought for him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance. Those with whom he was most likely to have traveled during the day. And when they found him not, they returned to Jerusalem, looking for him. Parents who have temporarily suffered the loss of their children can easily imagine their feelings. Christ, though a divine gift to them, was lost. So may we also lose him, though he is God's gift to us.
After three days, The first day was spent in their journey, the second, in their return to Jerusalem: and the third, in searching for him there: they found him in the temple, In an apartment of it: sitting in the midst of the doctors. Not one word is said of his disputing with them, but only of his asking and answering questions, which was a very usual thing in these assemblies, and indeed the very end of them. And if he was, with others, at the feet of these teachers (where learners generally sat) he might be said to be in the midst of them, as they sat on benches of a semicircular form, raised above their hearers and disciples.2 It is not difficult to ask hard questions, but this boy had astounding answers to their questions, revealing his amazing intellectual and spiritual growth.
And when they Saw him, they were astonished. Mary and Joseph stood as much in awe of these renowned national teachers as peasants do of kings, and were therefore astonished that their youthful son presumed to speak to them.
And his mother said to him, Son, why have you dealt with usthis way? Her language implies that Jesus had been fully instructed as to the time when his parents and their caravan would depart for Galilee, and that he was expected to depart with them. Obedience to his higher duties constrained him to appear disobedient to his parents.
Behold, thy father. As legal father of Jesus, this expression would necessarily have to be used when speaking of Joseph. But Jesus does not accept Joseph as his father, as we see by his answer. And he said unto them, How is it that you sought me? knew you not that I must be about my Father's business? He does not blame them for losing, but for thinking it needful to seek him: and intimates, that he could not be lost, nor found anywhere, but doing the will of a higher parent.4 They understood not, It is remarkable that they did not understand Jesus in this, but it shows how slow persons are to believe. Even his parents, after all that had taken place, did not seem to comprehend that he was to be the Savior of men, or if they did, they understood it in a very imperfect manner.2
The peculiar character of Mary's feelings towards her infant son is beautifully intimated to us in these and similar expressions, which show the strong affection of the mother, repressed and controlled by the mysterious sacredness with which the subject of it was invested. She observes everything, watches everything, but is silent in respect to what she sees, laying it up in her heart. It seems as if the sacred writers perceived the peculiar dramatic interest of her position; for every allusion to her is in keeping with it, and heightens the effect. Wherever she appears, on this occasion, at the marriage in Cana of Galilee, in her attendance upon Jesus in his journeying, and at his last hour, standing by his side, at the cross, we seem to see in her look, her attitude, her tone of voice, and in the meaning of the few words she utters, that mingling of maternal pride and maternal anxiety,--of motherly fondness for a son, and of religious veneration for a Savior,--which we might almost have supposed to have been inconsistent with each other. Silent, unobtrusive, and retiring, but ever watchful, ever at hand, we know not which most to admire, the ardent affection which kept her near her son, even in his greatest dangers, or the singular quietness of spirit and reserve, through which she always keeps, in every scene, a position so becoming to the gentleness and modesty of woman.
Jesus increased in wisdom, As to his human nature, and in favor with God - In proportion to that increase. It plainly follows, that though a man were pure, even as Christ was pure, still he would have room to increase in holiness, and in consequence thereof to increase in the favor, as well as in the love of God.