“Every year Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem for the Passover festival. When Jesus was twelve years old, they attended the festival as usual. After the celebration was over, they started home to Nazareth, but Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents didn’t miss him at first, because they assumed he was among the other travelers. But when he didn’t show up that evening, they started looking for him among their relatives and friends. When they couldn’t find him, they went back to Jerusalem to search for him there. Three days later they finally discovered him in the Temple, sitting among the religious teachers, listening to them and asking questions. All who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. His parents didn’t know what to think. “Son,” his mother said to him, “why have you done this to us? Your father and I have been frantic, searching for you everywhere.” “But why did you need to search?” he asked. “Didn’t you know that I must be in my Father’s house?” Then he returned to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. And his mother stored all these things in her heart. Jesus grew in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and all the people.”
Luke 2:41‭-‬49‭, ‬51‭-‬52

Every parent’s worst nightmare is to lose a child, yet it happens to everyone! You’re at Wal-Mart. One moment all of your kids are present and accounted for, you turn around for 1 second & one is gone! Naturally, the very worst runs thru your mind! Amazingly this even happened to Mary & Joseph, Jesus’ parents. This is one of my favorite Bible stories – it’s outcome is hilarious!

So every year Jesus’ family made a trip to Jerusalem for the Passover celebration. Jesus’ 12th year was no different! So they made the 70 mile, 40 hour trip by foot, attend the celebration and start home. At dusk, they realized Jesus was gone, not among they friends and relitives they were carivanning with. They return to Jerusalem, searched all the next day and finally find Jesus on the 3rd day. How frantic, tired and frazzled Mary and Joseph must have been when they get all the way back to the temple to find Jesus “sitting among the religious teachers, listening to them and asking questions”! In the case of my kids at Wal-Mart, I usually found my kids in the toy aisle, or at least around the corner eating cookies or some other forbidden item. Not so with Jesus – they find Him in the temple engaging priests and Bible teachers! Apparently He’d been there for 3 days!

So everyone was amazed! The teachers were amazed Jesus’ frantic parents were amazed & the crowd was doubtless amazed! Jesus was also amazed and ask His parents, “why did you need to search? Didn’t you know that I must be in My Father’s house?”

So at 12, Jesus knew Who He was and He also knew Who His Heavenly Father was! Now, I’m Amazed! How did Jesus know this at age 12?

There’s only one reasonable answer-HIS PARENTS TOLD HIM!

Mary and Joseph had been told separately by Gabriel the angel Who Jesus was before He was born and they had told Him! Jesus, like other Jewish boys, had been taught the scriptures. Imagine being Jesus’ synagogue teachers, or even one of these teachers of the Law that He’s now engaging-your task is to teach the Bible to its Author! This is so funny!

So the story goes . . .Jesus returns to Jerusalem with His parents, subjects Himself to their authority and we don’t hear any more about Him until He’s 30 years old!

Here’s the point-never underestimate your ability or to Speak Life and blessings into the lives of others! Words matter! You matter! As parents, we often feel like what we say falls on deaf ears, but we say and how we live, matters! Whether you’re a parent now or will become one in the future, never cease when you speak to pour out your personal relationship with God into the life of your kids! Never underestimate how important you are to them! Never underestimate the power of your words to them! Most of all, never underestimate the power and promises of God’s Word to & for your kids. Whether you feel listened to or not, it all matters!

Think about it!