Verse 39 Jesus grew up in Nazareth and became strong physically, spiritually, and intellectually. He was filled with wisdom and the favor of God was upon Him. That’s a good prayer to have for our own lives!

Verse 41 The Feast of the Passover is a Jewish festival of public worship that is celebrated for 2-7 days. The festival is to remember the freeing of the Children of Israel who were led out of Egypt by Moses. For Joseph, Mary, and Jesus, this is a long journey to get to Jerusalem for this feast but it’s part of the Jewish law to show up and observe the Passover.

Verse 43-44 This is like a scene out of Home Alone. Joseph and Mary leave the festival and they are a whole day into this journey home before they realize Jesus, their son, isn’t with them. How could the two of them leave and not notice the one and only kid they have was missing?!?!

😂 “I’m a horrible parent,” the mom says. “I left my kid at a funeral parlor once. All day. All day he was there,” says John Candy’s character. 😂

So in their defense, one commentary says “On these occasions, the crowd was very great, especially the first day’s journey (leaving the festival), and the roads full of people; and they concluded that he (Jesus) came along with some of their neighbors.” Okay. That makes sense. I saw Home Alone. I can see how that could happen. 😆

Verse 48-49 Joseph and Mary were amazed that Jesus made such an impression that He was given so much respect and allowed to sit with the teachers.

Verse 51 Respect to Jesus’ Father in Heaven should not be misconstrued as disrespect to His parents. Even though he would have learned so much staying in Jerusalem under these teachers, Jesus was obedient to his parents. So Jesus leaves with His folks and goes back to Nazareth where He worked with his father as a carpenter.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for caring about all the little details in my life. I pray that You grow me strong physically, spiritually, and intellectually. I pray to be filled with wisdom and to have Your favor upon me. God, I pray that in all the small moments throughout the day I won’t waste the time. I want to be found in my Father’s House, either in Your Word, in worship, in the mind frame of You, Jesus. In Jesus’ name, Amen.