The Bible doesn’t tell us much about Jesus’ boyhood–but even the one glimpse we have of him as a boy tells us that He was already aware of His unique status as God’s Son, sent from heaven to die for our sins.

The incident occurred when Jesus was 12. Mary (His mother) and Joseph took Him to Jerusalem for Passover, one of the annual Jewish feasts. Mary and Joseph were devout people, and apparently made the long trip from Nazareth every year. No doubt they had spent many hours with Jesus at home, teaching Him from God’s Word and sharing with Him the uniqueness of His birth.

On this occasion, they became separated from Jesus. When they found him several days later, He was in the Temple listening to the teachers and asking them questions about God’s Word. He told them, “Why were you searching for me? Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?” (Luke 2:49). The Bible then adds, “Then he went down to Nazareth. … And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men” (Luke 2:51-52).

Never forget that Jesus was God in human flesh, from the moment of His miraculous conception. And because He was God as well as man, He was able to be the one final sacrifice for our sins. Have you received Him into your heart, and do you thank Him every day for His love?