The Boy Who Asked Questions

Luke 2:41 Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover. 42 And when he was twelve years old, they went up according to custom. 43 And when the feast was ended, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents did not know it, 44 but supposing him to be in the group they went a day's journey, but then they began to search for him among their relatives and acquaintances, 45 and when they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem, searching for him. 46 After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. 47 And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. 48 And when his parents saw him, they were astonished. And his mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us so? Behold, your father and I have been searching for you in great distress.” 49 And he said to them, “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?” 50 And they did not understand the saying that he spoke to them. 

In the life of a Jewish young man, this would have been the trip to Jerusalem he had longed for. Having turned twelve he would have been taught, and held responsible to know, everything about His faith as a Son of Israel.  But for Jesus, this was more for the benefit of others, as while there He was able to call into question some of the ways they had interpreted the Scriptures. As we will see in his ministry later, Jesus liked to ask questions to elicit a response that would be instructive - many times a shocking response that challenged the person whom He asked.  That's what He does here with Mary and Joseph: "Why are you so surprised that I am here? This is the first place you should have looked for me."