On the Way to Jerusalem.
(See Luke 2:41-51)
Jesus looked down the road from the little hilltop. Travelers moved along the road as far as he could see.
"There are so many people on the way," said Jesus.
"And there will be many, many more in Jerusalem for the services in the Temple," answered Mary. She smiled at the eager look on her son's face.
The group of families from Nazareth began to gather up their bundles to go on after their little rest. The road was rocky and rough.
Dust rose from the passing of so many feet. The people did not mind, for they were on the way to the Temple to worship God.
Jesus walked along the narrow winding road with quick easy steps.
At the top of each little hill he would look ahead to see if he could get a glimps of the big city of Jerusalem and of the Temple.
I was glad when they said unto me.
Let us go into the house of the Lord.
Jesus was happy when the song began. He knew that they were getting near the end of their trip.
Jesus was interested in every part of the services of the temple.
He watched and listened. He sang and prayed. He joined the groups of people who gathered to listen while the wise teachers taught about God. He was so interested in the things they were talking about that he forgot all about time. He did not even remember what day it was. The teachers liked his questions. The questions showed that he was thinking about God.
One day as he sat asking questions and listening to the teachers he looked up and saw Joseph and is mother comming toward him. His mother looked worried and anxiuos. Joseph looked surprised.
"Son, why have you treated us so? Your father and I have been looking for you. We started home. We had gone a day´s journey, thinking that you were with us. We had to come back. We've been looking for you for three days."
Jesus looked at his mother. "How is that you looked for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?"
Again the family started for home. This time Jesus went with them.
They came again to Nazareth. Jesus obeyed his mother and Joseph.
He did his work well. He studied hard. He was kind and helpful. But he never forgot his visit to the Temple and all of the things he learned there.
Story by Ethel M. Phillps, 1948
