What was Jesus like as a child?

We know about Jesus’ birth, and we have lots of information about his ministry. We don’t know a lot about Jesus’ childhood, but Luke records one interesting story when Jesus was 12 years old.

Every year, Jesus’ parents, Mary and Joseph, traveled to Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover, a special Jewish festival. When the Passover was finished, they returned home, not realizing that Jesus had stayed behind in Jerusalem. 

Imagine traveling with a large group of people, with many wagons and horses. You would probably want to travel with your friend’s family for part of the way, and return to your parents around dinnertime. This might be what Jesus’ parents were thinking that Jesus had done, so they traveled on for a day before they realized he was missing. 

They went back to Jerusalem to look for him. Luke records that after three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting with the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions.  Everyone who heard Jesus was amazed at his understanding and his answers. When his parents saw him, they were surprised. 

Luke (2:48) records Mary telling Jesus they had been searching for him. 

Jesus answered. (Luke 2:49) (English Standard Version) And he said to them, “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” Jesus was talking about God, His heavenly Father, but they did not understand what he was saying to them.

Jesus went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to his parents. His mother thought about all of these things carefully in her heart.

Luke (2:52 Contemporary English Version) says, “Jesus became wise, and he grew strong. God was pleased with him and so were the people.”

So, what was Jesus like as a child? When he was 12, he was interested in asking questions, studying the scriptures, and learning more about God, his father. He also obeyed his parents. Jesus grew up to be wise and strong, pleasing to God and those around him.   

This video is from Christian Questions Podcast. For more information please go to https://christianquestions.com