Every year Mary and Joseph take Jesus to Jerusalem for the Jewish observance of Passover. He is 12 years old now. In the Holy City synagogue the readings are from the Torah (the first five books of the Old Testament), the food is plentiful and inexpensive, and at community gatherings the prayers and praise are like Revival Meetings to the Israelites.
Scripture readings recall the Exodus event, and the magnificent story of God giving Moses the Ten Commandments, and dramatic resurrection prophecy in the Valley of Dry Bones, and God's parting of the Red Sea, and readings of the laws and rituals for Passover. Jesus is present to participate with His family and extended family which includes the tribe of Judah.
Passover occurs alongside the Festival Of Spring when crops are harvested, lambs and calves born. New life represents God's renewing and redeeming activities. Blending with these, Holy week gives joy and hope.
Jesus is at home in His Father's House as the elders in the temple listen intently to Jesus' interpretation of Scriptures and they're impressed by His authoritative insights. Young Jesus speaks truth and wisdom. He is God's Son Jesus; fully human and fully Divine, at 12 years astounding the synagogue scholars. They see a young man Jesus and we see our young Savior of the World.
Jesus stays four extra days in His Father's House while his family travels to Nazareth. His parents become alarmed when they realize that Jesus is nowhere to be found in the caravan of travelers. When they return to Jerusalem and find Him in the synagogue, they explain to Him how anxious He has made them. He responds , "Did not you know that I must be in My Father's House?" (Luke 2:49)
God's Son Jesus is to be found revealing Scriptures. God's Son Jesus shows us by His actions what is best. In Father's House is home. God's House is where Jesus uses Scriptures to guide us, where Holy Spirit's anointing heals and blesses us to bless others, and where Jesus our Lord is Shepherd, King, and Worthy. And in Father's House we listen to Jesus speak as we lift our prayers and praise.
41 Now every year His parents went to Jerusalem for the festival of the Passover. 42 And when He was twelve years old, they went up as usual for the festival. 43 When the festival was ended and they started to return, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but His parents did not know it. 44 Assuming that He was in the group of travelers, they went a day’s journey. Then they started to look for Him among their relatives and friends. 45 When they did not find Him, they returned to Jerusalem to search for Him. 46 After three days they found Him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. 47 And all who heard Him were amazed at His understanding and His answers. 48 When His parents saw Him they were astonished; and His mother said to Him, “Child, why have You treated us like this? Look, your father and I have been searching for You in great anxiety.” 49 He said to them, “Why were you searching for Me? Did you not know that I must be in My Father’s House?” 50 But they did not understand what He said to them. 51 Then He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them. His mother treasured all these things in her heart. 52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and in years, and in Divine and human favor. Luke 2:41-52
Added Notes:
* Jesus is from the Jewish Tribe of Judah and after His death is referred to as the Lion of the Tribe of Judah (Revelation 5:5).
Passover begins at sundown on April 15 this year (2022). This Holy Week for the Jews ends on April 23rd. It was on Passover that Jesus was crucified and on the third day He Rose from the dead. Our Easter this year is on April 17th.