THE FINDING IN THE TEMPLE
The Finding3
Three times each year, the Jewish men, but not the women, were obliged
to present themselves before the Lord in the Temple of Jerusalem.
But it obliged only the men, and not the women, therefore
The women could go or not go.
After conferring about this, they decided
that on each third occasion, the Feast of Unleavened Bread, they
would all go together.
After spending the seven days of the Feast
in Jerusalem, they began the journey home. Jesus was then about
12 years old, and at that age could travel with either the men or
the women, who used to travel in separate groups by day, and meet
up at night.
Joseph thought that Jesus was with Mary, and Mary like-wise
thought that Jesus was with Joseph.
When they came together
at the end of the first day, they were devastated to realise they
had lost Him. Immediately they set out to return to Jerusalem to find
Him.
For three sorrowful days they sought Him, going without food or
sleep, such was their great distress and sorrow.At the end of the ordeal, they were enlightened as to where He was,and both hurried immediately to the Temple, where they found Him astounding the scribes and learned men with His knowledge. When His mother questioned Him, He replied, "Did you not know that I must be about my Father's business?"
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