Joe, Where Did Jesus Go?!
By: C.N.
Admit it! You’ve lost a child or two at some point in your life, whether it be in the department store (you were staring at those skinny jeans EXTRA hard), the park (would you stop running after squirrels, Timmy?!), or in a restaurant (we’re not playing freeze tag in Applebee’s!). When we realize that our children have gone missing (look at me saying “we,” as if I actually have children. I’m such a poser. Haha), we immediately look for them, usually find them in the Hot Wheels or ice cream aisle (looking like the ice cream machine just exploded in their faces), give them a big hug and kiss (no backhanding kids on this site. Haha), and explain to them why they should not run off (and why Daddy needs to stop looking at drills while Tommy is knocking TVs over). We all love our kids, try to provide them with the best education possible, and are confident that they’re going to become something in life-we don’t want to lose future doctors and lawyers. What happens, however, when you lose the future Lord and Savior of the world, at age 12? That’s right! How do you explain to others that you just lost Jesus (Jesus?! Jesus?! Come here this instant! Playtime is over!)? This brings us to the story of Jesus teaching in the temple in the Bible.
In the 2nd Chapter of Luke, we see that 12-year old Jesus and his parents, Mary and Joseph, are making the annual trip to Jerusalem for the Feast of the Passover. During those times, Jewish men were required to go to three festivals a year-Passover, Pentecost, and Tabernacles- though Passover was the only festival that was strictly observed (get on the horse! We’re leaving now!). Though men were required to attend the Feast of the Passover, women and children could attend as well (Daddy, can I have some cotton candy when we get there? Please?! Pretty please, with cherries, sprinkles, Oreo cookies, Reese’s peanut butter cups, and a Twix on top?!). The Feast of the Passover celebrated God freeing the Israelites from Egyptian slavery (I’m free!!!!!!!), and attendees of the Feast would usually stay for at least a couple of days. Once a Jewish boy turned 13, he was required to attend the Feast of the Passover and participate in all of the religious activities of the people (I’m a man, Daddy! See this hair on my chin? Right there! Right there! I have a mustache too! Taping gummy worms to your upper lip doesn’t mean that you have a mustache. Haha). Jesus was not yet “required” to attend the Feast, but Mary and Joseph brought him along anyway.
Once Mary and Joseph began the trip back home, they realized that Jesus was not with them, figured he MUST be in the group of people coming back (they always traveled in groups for safety reasons), and kept walking (Y’all are tripping. If I don’t see my child immediately, I’m stopping and frisking everything that moves. Where is my child?!). Once Mary and Joseph realized that Jesus was not in the group returning home, they went back to Jerusalem to find him, and didn’t find him until three days later in the temple (Oh, God. Oh, merciful, gracious, loving and forgiving God. Please forgive us! We didn’t mean to lose the Messiah! Honest!). Twelve year old Jesus Christ was in the temple, talking with the doctors-they were amazed by how intelligent he was, both in how he understood them and how he answered their questions (DUH! He’s God in the flesh! God knows everything!). When Mary and Joseph found Jesus, Mary explained to him that they had been worried sick about him, and wanted to know why he had just left them like that. Jesus’s response was as follows:
Luke 2:49 (KJV): And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father’s business?
Boy! Jesus asked his parents why they were looking for him, and further asked them, “didn’t you all know that I need to be in my Father’s (referring to God Almighty’s) house and take care of his business?” Oh, snap! Both sides of my family are from down South, so please believe, if I EVER had the audacity to question my grandparents about looking for me, after I ran off, and they’re the ones taking care of me, they would have knocked me three ways into next week (Spare the rod, spoil the child. I loved my grandparents, and they took very good care of me; God rest their souls). Mary and Joseph didn’t understand what Jesus meant by this, but being the perfect little angel that he was (Jesus is the only perfect person to walk the face of the earth), he obeyed his parents and returned to Nazareth with them (listen to your parents, kids!). Mary cherished what Jesus had said about being about his Father’s business, and as Jesus continued to grow, he became wiser, more respected among men, and God continued to smile down on him (that’s my boy!).
I’m excited to remake this one! Without further ado, let’s get to it! NOTE: I will be utilizing modern-day language, technology, and ways of living in this story, as we’re picturing this happening today.
Joe, Where Did Jesus Go?!
By: C.N.
Biblical Reference: Luke 2:41-52 (KJV)
*Mary, Joseph, and 12-year-old Jesus have traveled from Nazareth to Jerusalem for the Feast of the Passover-God had freed the Israelites from Egyptian slavery (God had shut that little punk, Pharaoh, down!)! Mary and Joseph (as part of a big group) are now returning to Nazareth, but soon realize that Jesus is not with them*
Mary (Jesus’s Mother): Jesus?! Jesus?! Jesus, where are you?! Joe, I don’t see Jesus!
Joseph (Jesus’s Earthly Father) *in a super scary, manly voice*: Jesus?! Jesus, where did you run off to?! Boy, I’m not playing with you! If you don’t get your behind here in the next 30 seconds, that’s your behind when we get home! *Looking at Mary* -That’s your son.
Mary: Maybe he went ahead of us. Sheldon and his parents were here, so he probably left with them (their phones are dead, so they can’t check); you know how he likes to play pranks on everyone (like the time he suddenly appeared in your stomach, even though you and Joseph hadn’t enjoyed each other’s company yet? Sure, Mary. “Prank” isn’t the word that I would use here)
Joseph: Let’s just wait and see if he’s at home. He’s probably trying to use my razor again (that boy ain’t got no hair on his chin!). He better not break anything!
Mary: Okay, Honey. Let’s just get in the car. *they can’t find their phone chargers, so they’ll just have to wait until they get home to call Sheldon’s parents*
*They drive home, only to realize that Jesus is not there, Sheldon’s parents had not picked him up, and they better find him quickly before someone calls DCFS on them…or issues an Amber Alert*
Mary (frantic): Joe, let’s hurry up and go back to Jerusalem! He must still be there! How could he just disappear like this?! He was walking with us out of Burger King, and that’s the last time I remember seeing him. He better not be pretending to be homeless to get free food; I will ring his neck!
Joseph (frantic): Get in the car, Woman! We don’t have time to waste! *he might be sleeping on the couch tonight*
*They race down the street-doing 85mph in a 55mph lane, and just praying not to be pulled over by the cops-in search for Jesus, and after THREE DAYS (I’m not leaving without my boy!), they find him in the temple, talking with some of the world’s most well-known and widely respected doctors. The doctors are in shock with how smart Jesus is-he knows more than they do!*
Mary (hugging and kissing Jesus): Jesus! Oh my goodness! My baby! We’re so glad that you’re alright! We were worried sick that something had happened to you! Why would you run off like that?! You almost gave your father and I a heart attack! You could have been kidnapped, hurt, killed, or anything! Why would you do that?!
JESUS CHRIST (in a kind and respectful manner): How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father’s business?
Mary: Boy, who are you getting smart with?! I’m not one of your little friends! I may not have gone through 89 hours of labor to bring you into the world, but I’ve gone through 105,120.73 hours of labor taking care of your peanut head for the last 12 years! You better fix your tone (erm, his tone was just fine) and start showing me some respect! Have you lost your mind?! I’ll help you find it! Joe, talk to your son.
Joseph: Jesus, don’t get smart with your mother. You know better than that.
JESUS CHRIST: Mother and Father, I do apologize. I don’t mean any disrespect or harm, but I must be about my Father’s business.
Mary and Joseph: Whatchu talking about, Willis?!
JESUS CHRIST: I realize that you all may not understand what I mean by this (he’s referring to his Heavenly Father, God Almighty, and how he must be in God’s house and do the work that God sent him to do), but as my parents, I will obey you all and go home with you.
Mary: Thank you! Let’s head to the car.
*Mary, Joseph, and Jesus go back home, and Mary keeps thinking about what Jesus said about needing to be about his Father’s business*
Mary (to herself): I wonder what Jesus meant by needing to be about his Father’s business? He has always had these grand ideas, and I know that he’s a smart boy. I’ll continue to pray for him. He’s going to grow up to be someone special someday. I can just feel it.
Joseph: Home, sweet home!
*Jesus continued to become more wise, more respected among the people, and he was dripping in God’s favor-God was smiling down on him. Say cheese!*
-C.N.
I just love your website and I visit every chance I can, and even though I am not a kid anymore many of your Jesus Bedtime Stories I have never heard before. I find these stories even motivational for me at the age of 61, so keep doing what you are doing this is a unique website which benefits people of all ages
Jeff
Thank you so much, Jeff! My stories are definitely for everyone, children and adults alike! I love the fact that you find my stories motivational-that brings the biggest smile to my face! I just want to use my God-given talents to point people to him. Parents shouldn’t be so hard on themselves-even Mary and Joseph lost Jesus for three days! Haha I will definitely keep the stories coming! God bless you!
Great article. Timely as always. Fits into the lives of every parent out there that’s for sure. I’ve never lost a kid but I am sure that would be a feeling that one cannot imagine unless they have been through it. I love your site. Very uplifting and positive. Two things we need in the world today.
Thanks for sharing.
Thank you so much, John! God bless you for being one of the parents who never lets his children out of his sight. Haha I definitely want to inspire as many people as possible with my site, as this world desperately needs Jesus and needs to learn how to love again. I will definitely keep them coming. God bless you!
My baby will be 2 years old soon. Just like many kids, she’s active, has high curiosity, loves playing and roam around not only in our house, at our friends’ houses or department stores. It scares me especially when we are at a place with multiple stories. She loves going the stairs up and down, up and down. Therefore, I won’t let her out of my sight. One day I told my Mom to keep an eye on her. I said, watch her with your hawk eyes Mom. haha… Yup, hawk eyes.
Talking about parents who won’t let their kids out of their sights, Jesus will never ever let us out of His sight too. He always cares for us. The problem is us. Sometimes we blame life that hinder us from coming to Him, going to church, praying etc.
Thank you for this story. Time to time again, you never fail to deliver such an enjoyable Bible story. God bless you.
Thank you so much, Ferra! Although I don’t have children, when I look after my little cousins, I don’t let them out of my sight either (they might blow something up. Haha). It’s so true that Jesus never lets us out of his sight-we might try to run away and act like we don’t know him, but he’s always near, always loves us, is always ready to accept us with open arms, and will always come to our rescue in times of trouble. What a friend we have in Jesus! God bless you!
Thank you so much, Ferra! Although I don’t have children, when I look after my little cousins, I don’t let them out of my sight either (they might blow something up. Haha). It’s so true that Jesus never lets us out of his sight-we might try to run away and act like we don’t know him, but he’s always near, always loves us, is always ready to accept us with open arms, and will always come to our rescue in times of trouble. What a friend we have in Jesus! God bless you!
As always I love the little remarks you make throughout these stories.
Too funny.
Those times when we “lose” our kids momentarily are most likely events
we remember like it was this morning. I know I do. My son was 2 years
old when he went out of the front door unbeknownst to me. You know,
it was probably a full minute before I found him already on the opposite
side of the house.
I hope Jesus doesn’t feel that same way when his children (all humans) stray
away from him. But I guess he has his eyes on us the whole time so maybe
it’s not as bad for him. :o)
Thank you so much, Teresa! You know that I must incorporate humor into my stories-I’m jubilant for Jesus! Haha I remember running off in the department store when I was five years old; I ended up in the pharmacy and started bawling my eyes out; I was so scared. Thankfully, the pharmacist knew my grandparents, knew exactly where they were, and were able to call for them over the P.A. system to reunite us. Mind you, I was the child in that situation, but I can only imagine what they were going through, thinking that I had gone missing. I immediately apologized to them and never ran off again. Haha Jesus sees everything at all times (he and God the Father have the best seats in the house!), so even when we do go astray, he’s always there, he knows our little secrets, and he’ll always be that present help that we need. Thank you, Jesus! Hallelujah! God bless you!
The idea of Jesus on his way to Burger King cracked me up, lol. Thank you for these. Great originality!
Thank you so much, Eric! I’m a quirky cornball and love Jesus-why not combine the two to present the Gospel of Jesus Christ in funny and entertaining ways? I want to reach as many people as possible. God bless you!
Hey,
I love the idea of Jesus bed time stories for children. I must admit, when I was a child, I went to church with my parents every Sunday, but I switched off during the service and thought it was boring. But, if we had someone telling the children Jesus’ stories in a similar manner to what you have done here, then I believe we would have found it more interesting.
I think what you’re doing on your website is great and could really benefit a lot of children all over the world.
Keep up the great work on your site and all the best,
Tom
Thank you so much, Tom! I love Jesus, and I want everyone, children and adults alike, to enjoy learning about him. Why not use my sense of humor for the Kingdom of God? Haha As a child, I didn’t understand a lot of things about church service, but once I started singing in the choir and met other kids like myself, I began to enjoy it more, wanted to go more, and it became a necessary part of my week. I thank God that I gave my life to Jesus once I truly understood who and what he was (I was initially baptized at age 7, and my grandparents always told me about Jesus, but I didn’t really “know” him), and that’s the best decision I’ve ever made. Hallelujah! God bless you!
I just loved your humor in your storytelling, very engaging and it has a gravitational pull to want more. thanks I will certainly share with my Lil ones.
Thank you so much, Vika! I really appreciate your kind words and your willingness to share my stories with your children! I want children to know and love Jesus from an early age. God bless you!
It certainly is nerve-wracking to lose a child! Thank you for explaining the significance of this biblical story. I grew up on the bible, and it was always fascinating to me how Jesus taught at the temple while Mary and Joseph looked for him. It shows true love and devotion on Mary and Joseph’s part to continue looking for Jesus, and it shows Jesus’ devotion to the work of salvation as well. Thank you!
Thank you so much, Robert! Mary and Joseph certainly loved Jesus and raised them the best way that they knew how, and Jesus had the heart of his Heavenly Father from birth. It’s inspiring to know that Jesus, even at age 12, knew his purpose and wanted to be about God’s business. I pray that we can all become that way as well. God bless you!
Haha your style is amazing! And I agree with you: If I ever asked a question like this to my parents I bet they wouldn’t have been so understanding!! 😀
Thank you so much, Rosalia! I love Jesus, love to laugh, and love people-why not combine all three for the glory of God? My grandparents were as sweet as can be, and would give your the shirts off of their backs; just act like you have some sense. Haha God bless you!
Haha, I love your stories! They always brighten my day. It’s so funny how you make it more modern and add in how we think today. It is true that no parents would accept a child asking them them why they had been looking for him in the first place after they have been going frantic, looking for their son everwyhere.
The way you tell it makes people appreciate those stories again. Excellent! I love it!
Thank you so much, Christine! Your comment just made my day! Jesus was the Son of God, so he had special talking back privileges that we will never have. Haha Let me run away from my parents and act like I don’t know what’s going on; it’s over for me. Haha I’m glad that you enjoy my stories! I want to combine my love of Jesus Christ with my love of laughter to re-create Bible stories for children and adults of all ages! God bless you!
Wow Carletta ?
I love your post; you write with so such passion. I can feel the joy that is bubbling up inside of you. I love the way you told the story in the modern-day language.
If someone read this story in the Bible, and had questions, I think they will find the answers when they read your article. You retold the story so well, that children will want to hear it over and over.
Reading your post was like reading a book. Are you planning to eventually turn your blog posts into books???
I read your About Me page. God bless your family for starting to read Bible stories to you at a young age. God bless you for hiding those stories in your heart and treasuring them to the point that you can now share them with the world.
I never thought too much about why Mary and Joseph did not check to make sure Jesus was among the others before they traveled so far.
I guess that since it was the norm to travel that way, they just assumed that He was there. In addition, maybe during that time, it was safe for kids to go anywhere without being in danger.
Thank you for sharing the love of God through your story telling and engaging others in such a way that they want to read it. ??
Blessings
Thank you so much, Jackie! I love Jesus Christ, love to laugh, and love people-why not combine all three for the glory of God? I definitely do want to convert these stories into a book, and I pray that God will bless me to turn it into a book in his time (as long as the finances, interest, and platform are there). I am so grateful that my grandparents brought my cousins and I up in church and taught us about Jesus from a young age-we have all carried these values with us into our adult years (some more than others. Haha). Had it not been for Jesus Christ, I don’t know where I’d be. I definitely think that Mary and Joseph weren’t too concerned about Jesus not being with them because they regularly traveled in big groups, they all knew each other, and they figured that Jesus was either ahead of them or behind them. The world is a much different, much more dangerous place today. God is with us, however! I really appreciate your thoughtful comment! God bless you as well!