Understanding Authority

After the escape from Herod as a young child, the Scriptures are silent about the life of Jesus, though we can deduce from Luke that is was the custom of his family to keep the Feasts of the LORD. At the age of 12, Jesus had his bar mitzvah - moving him to the authority of his Father.

***

Jesus as a Boy of Twelve in the Temple

WHEN JESUS was twelve years old he went to Jerusalem with his parents for the Feast of Passover, as was their custom.

           Their religious duties completed, the parents went a day’s journey on their return to Nazareth before they discovered that Jesus was not in the company traveling with them.

           They returned to Jerusalem seeking him and, after three days, found him in the temple. He was sitting in the midst of the temple teachers, both hearing and asking them questions. All that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers.

           His parents were amazed and Mary asked:

           “Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? Behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing.”

           And Jesus replied:

           “How is it that ye sought me? Know ye not that I must be about my Father’s business?”

***

The Passover Feast: (Exodus 12:14-28; Numbers 28:16-25; Deuteronomy 16:1-8)

These are the feasts of the LORD, even holy convocations, which ye shall proclaim in their seasons. In the fourteenth day of the first month at even is the LORD'S passover. And on the fifteenth day of the same month is the feast of unleavened bread unto the LORD: seven days ye must eat unleavened bread. In the first day ye shall have an holy convocation: ye shall do no servile work therein. But ye shall offer an offering made by fire unto the LORD seven days: in the seventh day is an holy convocation: ye shall do no servile work therein.