When Jesus Ran Off to College

In Luke chapter 2 we have the only biblical account of Jesus of Nazareth as a young person, and it is instructive (and perhaps a little controversial). After he was presented at the temple as a baby and spent time in Egypt to avoid execution, He presumably settled into a normal childhood. Up to age 12, we only get a simple declaration about Jesus’ early years.  Luke says that he continued to “grow, and become strong, increasing in wisdom…”  Then, after Jesus turned 12, we are told of an odd incident when the family made their annual trip to Jerusalem for the Passover festival.  As religious people, we can assume that Joseph and Mary raised their children to observe the Jewish traditions and learn the law of Moses.  Of course their son would be familiar with the commandment, “Honor your father and mother”.  So let’s give the kid the benefit of the doubt when we learn that instead of joining the rest of the family on the trek back to Nazareth, Jesus stays behind – without telling his parents. 

By the time Joseph and Mary realize that Jesus isn’t with them and they hurry back to Jerusalem it has been 3 days.  And when they do find him and confront him, He is not exactly apologetic.  In fact, if this were an ordinary adolescent (he wasn’t even yet a teenager) we would charge him with what my parents used to call “talking back!”.  Mary asks him (perhaps rhetorically) “why did you treat us this way?  We were worried sick about you.” Then 12-year old Jesus responds, “Why were you looking for me?  Didn’t you know I had to be in My Father’s house?“.  Now I don’t want to seem blasphemous – thinking of Jesus as some smart-mouthed kid.  And I certainly don’t want to draw attention to the possibility that this was some sort of impetuous slap at Joseph – who wasn’t His biological father.  So let’s not go there.  Instead, let’s allow Luke to tell us what Jesus was doing there.  He wasn’t found hanging out in a Jerusalem alley shooting dice.  He hadn’t stayed behind to holla at one of the young Jewish girls.  Jesus, who had been growing in wisdom under his family’s care, ran off to school. 

Luke tells us that Jesus stayed back at the temple engaging with the teachers. He was “sitting in the midst of the teachers, both listening to them, and asking them questions.”  This describes an interactive learning environment. And before we conclude that they were only talking about religious stuff, remember that there was no American-style separation of church and state there.  The Hebrew Bible covers not just religious traditions but home life, business matters, even government regulations.  And the teachers were astonished at Jesus understanding of things.  He had learned a lot already, so Jesus was taking his education to the next level.  He was taking it beyond His home and His village.  Jesus was running off to college. 

This also shows that it was time for the village to support His educational pursuit.  Luke concludes this incident by saying that they went back to Nazareth, “and his mother treasured all these things in her heart. And Jesus kept increasing in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.”  I believe that this indicates that his village supported Jesus’ educational journey. Instead of resenting him for wanting more, they prioritized His growth – they “treasured” his desire to engage in a learning environment beyond Nazareth.  We should do likewise for our young people.