The Boy Jesus Grows
After the wise men left the home of Jesus, God gave Joseph a warning in a dream. God told Joseph to take his family to Egypt until the wicked King Herod was dead. Later, Joseph took his family to Nazareth where Jesus grew strong and was filled with wisdom.
When Jesus was 12 years old he went with Mary and Joseph up to Jerusalem for the Feast of the Passover. They travelled with many others also going to worship. On the way home Mary and Joseph could not find Jesus anywhere in the group of travelers. They became very worried so they went back to Jerusalem. They found Jesus 3 days later in the temple sitting and talking with the teachers and scribes. Everyone that heard him was amazed at his understanding and answers. When Mary, his mother, asked him why he stayed behind his answer was, "Why were you searching for me? Didn't you know I had to be in my Father's house?"
Jesus returned home with his parents and was obedient to them. Jesus continued to grow in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and men.
(Matthew 2:1-23; Luke 2:39-52)
Just For You:
Although Jesus was God, He also was a human being who grew up in our world. The Lord Jesus always did the things that pleased His Father, God. When you receive Jesus as your Saviour, He comes into your life and gives you the desire and the power to obey God. The only way that we can live a life that pleases God is with the help of His Holy Spirit.
Memory Verse:
"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God... The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us."
John 1:1, 14
Do You Know?
1. Why did Joseph take his family away from Bethlehem?
2. After King Herod died, where did Joseph take his family?
3. Why did Mary, Joseph and Jesus go to Jerusalem?
4. What happened on the way back home?
5. Where did Mary and Joseph find Jesus?
6. What did Jesus say to his parents when they finally found him?
Do You Know? (Answers)
1. God warned Joseph in a dream to leave until King Herod was dead
2. They went to Nazareth
3. They went to celebrate the Feast of the Passover
4. On the way home, Jesus was missing
5. Mary and Joseph found Jesus 3 days later in the temple
6. "Why are you searching for me? Didn't you know I had to be in my Father's house?"