Jesus at Twelve: Understanding the Three Days Lost in Jerusalem

When Jesus traveled to Jerusalem for the Passover at twelve years of age, He remained in the temple courts after the services ended and His parents departedDA 75.1+1. Joseph and Mary traveled for one full day before realizing He was not in their large company, having trusted Him implicitly due to His consistent helpfulness and obedienceDA 80.4+1. This one day of neglect resulted in a total of three days of anxious searching before they found HimDA 82.2. He spent this time in the temple, where He had been taught by God and began at once to impart the truth He had receivedDA 78.2. While His parents hoped He would learn to reverence the rabbis, Jesus did not conform to their traditional rites but instead followed the word of GodDA 78.2. During these days, He sat among the great teachers, asking questions that pointed to the mission opening before Him and the sacrifice He was to eventually makeDA 82.2+1. His serious and earnest voice, full of melody, eventually arrested the attention of His parents as they mingled with the worshipers in the temple on the third dayDA 80.4. It is a solemn lesson for us all that while the Savior can be lost in a single day through neglect of prayer or idle talk, it may take many days of sorrowful search to regain His presence and peaceDA 82.2.

...rusalem. Like all devout Israelites, Joseph and Mary went up every year to attend the Passover; and when Jesus had reached the required age, they took Him with them. There were three annual feasts, the Passover, the Pentecost, and the Feast of Tabernacles, at whic...— DA 75.1 (1898)

... He did not remain beside His parents. He sought to be alone. When the paschal services were ended, He still lingered in the temple courts; and when the worshipers departed from Jerusalem, He was left behind. In this visit to Jerusalem, the parents of Jesus wished to bring Him in connection with the great ...— DA 78.2 (1898)

.... On the way the pleasure of traveling with friends and acquaintances absorbed their attention, and they did not notice His absence till night came on. Then as they halted for rest, they missed the helpful hand of their child. Supposing Him to be wit...— DA 80.4 (1898)

As His mission had opened to Jesus in the temple, He shrank from contact with the multitude. He wished to return from Jerusalem in quietness, with those who knew the secret of His life. By the paschal...— DA 82.2 (1898)

As His mission had opened to Jesus in the temple, He shrank from contact with the multitude. He wished to return from Jerusalem in quietness, with those who knew the secret of His life. By th...— DA 82.2 (1898)