Joseph, Searches for Jesus

Last week, Joseph fled with his family to Egypt before returning to Nazareth once it was safe to return.

A young Jesus with his parents

We are not told how old Jesus is when they returned, but he is still at the ages we consider a toddler or young child.

The next mention we have of Jesus or his parents, is when Jesus is twelve years old.  Twelve is the age when a boy comes of age and can go to the temple.

⁴¹ And his parents went every year to Jerusalem at the feast of the passover. 

Again, Mary and Joseph are only mentioned as Jesus parents.  But they are faithful to their customs and faith because they would go to the feast of the Passover in Jerusalem each year.

Imagine how frantic Mary and Joseph were as they searched for their son

⁴² And when he was twelve years old, they went up after the custom of the feast; 

⁴³ and when they had fulfilled the days, as they were returning, the boy Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and his parents knew it not;

Everyone is returning home, but Jesus parents did not know where he was.

 ⁴⁴ but supposing him to be in the company, they went a day’s journey; and they sought for him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance: ⁴⁵ and when they found him not, they returned to Jerusalem, seeking for him.

All of these references are in the joint reference to both parents seeking out Jesus.  However, again neither parent is mentioned by name.

They found him teaching in the temple

 ⁴⁶ And it came to pass, after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both hearing them, and asking them questions: ⁴⁷ and all that heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers.

Jesus is found in the temple teaching the teachers.  Everyone is amazed at all Jesus is saying and teaching.

 ⁴⁸ And when they saw him, they were astonished; and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I sought thee sorrowing. 

They relief they must have felt at seeing their son

Notice, that when Jesus is found it is his mother, Mary, who approaches him and speaks.  However, she specifically mentions his earthly father and the sorrow they have at not finding him.

⁴⁹ And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? knew ye not that I must be ^[r]in my Father’s house?

Mary spoke of Joseph, Jesus earthly father.  However, Jesus replies regarding his Father, his heavenly father.

 ⁵⁰ And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them. 

They did not understand all of which Jesus spoke about

Yet, they did not understand exactly what Jesus was saying.

⁵¹ And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth; and he was subject unto them: and his mother kept all these sayings in her heart.

Jesus left with his mother and father.  He was subject to his parents means he was obedient to them and observed and learned from them.

This is the last direct mention of Joseph.  Next week, we will look at the last mention of Joseph in the Bible.

Would you understand what Jesus meant in regards of his Father?

*Pictures from FreeBibleImages.com