Lesson Twenty-One: Jesus in the Temple:

21.1 The age of 12 years was very important to a Jewish boy. At this age he was considered to be a "Son of the Law." From that time on he could take part in the religious life of the home and the synagogue as a man.

21.2 At the age of twelve Jesus became a "Son of the Law." He was considered old enough to ask and to answer questions about the Word of God.

21.3 Devout Jews went to the temple in Jerusalem every year to celebrate the feast of Passover. When Jesus was twelve years old, He went to Jerusalem with His parents to attend this feast. The story is told in Luke.

21.4 "And when He was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem according to the custom of the feast. When they had finished the days, as they returned, the Boy Jesus lingered behind in Jerusalem. And Joseph and His mother did not know it; but supposing him to have been in the company, they went a day's journey; and sought Him among their relatives and acquaintances. So when they did not find Him, they returned to Jerusalem, seeking Him. Now so it was that after three days they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both listening to them and asking them questions. And all who heard Him were astonished at His understanding and answers. So when they saw Him they were amazed; and His mother said to Him, "Son, why have You done this to us? Look, Your father and I have sought You anxiously."

image copyright, Marjorie Nordwall

21.5 And He said to them, "Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father's business?" But they did not understand the statement which He spoke to them." Luke 2:42-50

21.6 The temple and its grounds in Jerusalem were huge, covering an area close to 1,200' long and 1,000' wide, (see map). You could fit more than four football fields inside this area. All of this space was needed for the large crowds who came to celebrate the Passover. There were probably more than two million people who came to Jerusalem that year. More than 200,000 sheep would have been sacrificed by an army of 17,000 priests.

21.7 The temple itself was one of the most beautiful buildings in the world, (see picture). There was a lot of gold in the temple, and a great gold vine on the front of it.

21.8 The city of Jerusalem had a population of more than 50,000 people, and was filled with palaces and other great buildings.

21.9 But none of this really impressed the Young Man From Nazareth. He was there to do His Father's business. The temple was His Father's house. Of course He would stay there to discuss the Word of God with the leaders.

21.10 The leaders were totally amazed at His understanding and answers. Never had they seen such a boy in Israel. It was pleasant company, and they talked for three days. What did they talk about? We can only guess, but they must have covered many subjects.

21.11 The prophet Isaiah had spoken of Jesus many years earlier saying...

There shall come forth a Rod from the stem of Jesse,
And a Branch shall grow out of his roots.

The Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon Him,
The Spirit of wisdom and understanding,
The Spirit of counsel and might,
The Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord.

Isaiah 11:1-2

21.12 And so it happened that the elders of Israel sat at the feet of a twelve year old boy for three days -- as it should have been, for that boy was the Son of God.

Discussion:

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