The Boy Jesus in the Temple

Title ideas:The Boy Jesus grows up.Jesus obeys his Father.

King Herod ordered his soldiers, “Go kill all the little boys near Bethlehem Town!” But an angel from God warned Joseph, “Lead [take] the child Jesus and his mother to Egypt Land!”So Joseph did that.

After King Herod died [some months or a few years later], the angel from God said to Joseph, “Lead the child and his mother back to Israel Land!”So Joseph returned with his family to Israel and made their home in Galilee [district / region / area].

Jesus grew up in a village called Nazareth with his Mother Mary and her husband Joseph. He became strong [in body] and wise [in mind]. Both people and God were pleased with him.

Every year the parents of Jesus went to Jerusalem [city] for the Passover Festival. When Jesus was 12 years old, Joseph and Mary led him to Jerusalem, where they celebrated the Passover Feast.

At the end of the Passover Feast, Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, without telling Joseph and Mary. They thought he was walking with other travelers as they journeyed towards home.

That evening, they looked for Jesus amongst their fellow travelers, but no one had seen him. They could not find him!

Next morning, Joseph and Mary went back to Jerusalem to search for Jesus there.

After three days, they found Jesus seated in the temple courtyard with the Jewish teachers, listening to them and asking questions.

All who heard Jesus remarked about how well he understood the teachers and how well he answered their questions.

Mary scolded [said to] Jesus, “Son, your father and I have been very worried about you! [Why have you treated us in this way?] We have looked everywhere for you!”

Jesus answered them, “You did not have to search for me! You should have known that I would be in my [real] father’s house!”

So Jesus returned to the village with Mary and Joseph, where he was always obedient to them. Mary remembered and kept thinking about all these things.

Jesus stayed in Mary’s home till he was about 30 years old, growing wiser. Both God and people were pleased with him.