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Your father and I have sought You anxiously.” 51 Then He went down with them and came
49 And He said to them, “Why did you seek to Nazareth, and was subject to them, but His
Me? Did you not know that I must be about My mother kept all these things in her heart.
Father’s business?” But they did not under- 52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature,
50
stand the statement which He spoke to them. and in favor with God and men.
DAY 26:What does Luke 2:41–52 tell us about the Boy Jesus?
When Jesus was 12 years old, He celebrated His first Feast of the Passover in preparation for
that rite of passage into adulthood (Bar mitzvah). After the celebration, it says that “Jesus lingered”
(v. 43). In stark contrast to the apocryphal gospels’ spurious tales of youthful miracles and super-
natural exploits, this lone biblical insight into the youth of Jesus portrays Him as a typical boy in a
typical family. His lingering was neither mischievous nor disobedient—it was owing to a simple
mistaken presumption on His parents’part (v. 44) that He was left behind.
Obviously Joseph and Mary were traveling with a large caravan of friends and relatives from
Nazareth. Men and women in such a group might have been separated by some distance, and it
appears each parent thought He was with the other.The reference to “three days” (v. 46) probably
means they realized He was missing at the end of a full day’s travel.That required another full day’s
journey back to Jerusalem, and the better part of another day was spent seeking Him.They found
Jesus among the teachers in the temple,“listening to them and asking them questions.” He was
utterly respectful; but even at that young age, His questions showed a wisdom that put the teach-
ers to shame (v. 47).
In the exchange of words that follow, Mary’s words convey a tone of exasperation normal for
any mother under such circumstances, but misplaced in this case. He was not hiding from them or
defying their authority.In fact,He had done precisely what any child should do under such circum-
stances (being left by His parents)—He went to a safe, public place, in the presence of trusted
adults,where His parents could be expected to come looking for Him (v.49).Jesus’reference to “My
Father’s business”reveals a genuine amazement that they did not know where to look for Him.This
also reveals that,even at so young an age,He had a clear consciousness of His identity and mission.
However,He “was subject to them”(v.51).His relationship with His heavenly Father did not override
or nullify His duty to His earthly parents.His obedience to the fifth commandment was an essential
part of the perfect legal obedience He rendered on our behalf (Heb. 4:4; 5:8,9).

7 “If there is among you a poor man of your
MARCH 27 brethren, within any of the gates in your land
which the LORD your God is giving you, you
shall not harden your heart nor shut your
Deuteronomy 15:1–16:22
8
hand from your poor brother, but you shall
“At the end of every seven years you shall open your hand wide to him and willingly lend
15 grant a release of debts. And this is the him sufficient for his need, whatever he
2
9
form of the release: Every creditor who has needs. Beware lest there be a wicked thought
lent anything to his neighbor shall release it; in your heart, saying, ‘The seventh year, the
he shall not require it of his neighbor or his year of release, is at hand,’ and your eye be
brother, because it is called the LORD’s evil against your poor brother and you give
release. Of a foreigner you may require it; but him nothing, and he cry out to the LORD
3
you shall give up your claim to what is owed against you, and it become sin among you.
4
by your brother, except when there may be 10 You shall surely give to him, and your heart
no poor among you; for the LORD will greatly should not be grieved when you give to him,
bless you in the land which the LORD your God because for this thing the LORD your God will
is giving you to possess as an inheritance— bless you in all your works and in all to which
5 11
only if you carefully obey the voice of the you put your hand. For the poor will never
LORD your God, to observe with care all these cease from the land; therefore I command
commandments which I command you today. you, saying, ‘You shall open your hand wide to
6
For the LORD your God will bless you just as your brother, to your poor and your needy, in
He promised you; you shall lend to many your land.’
nations, but you shall not borrow; you shall 12 “If your brother, a Hebrew man, or a He-
reign over many nations, but they shall not brew woman, is sold to you and serves you six
reign over you. years, then in the seventh year you shall let him
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