The Lord Jesus Christ was the one perfect being this world has ever known. When He said “follow me,” well, that was not just in where He went, but that was in the way He went. He was a perfect example, even from a child.

An angel of the Lord – remember? – appeared to Joseph in Egypt and told him that it was safe now to take Mary and Jesus back to Israel. Joseph’s intention was to return to Bethlehem, but when he learned that Herod’s son ruled there, he feared to go. So, directed again by the angel, Joseph took his family to an obscure Galilean village called Nazareth, thus fulfilling prophecy. (Matthew 2:19-23)

And there in Nazareth Jesus grew up with his brethren. He was the oldest of five brothers – James, Joses, Simon and Judas, and at least two sisters (Matthew 13:55-56).

At the age of twelve Jesus traveled with His parents back to Jerusalem for the feast of the Passover. Now, later the parents set out for home, but Jesus stayed back. Three days later, rather distraught, Joseph and Mary found Him in the Temple teaching the doctors and answering their questions. Now, this was an amazing spectacle, both to his stunned audience and to His parents, to see this mere boy teaching the gospel to the wisest ones of His day.

“Son,” his mother said, “why hast thou thus dealt with us? Behold thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing” (Luke 2:48).

“How is it that ye sought me,” He said, “wist ye not that I must be about my father’s business” (Luke 2:49).

Now Jesus had stayed behind by design – to teach and to bring souls unto God. Where else should his parents have looked for Him than in the Temple, His Father’s house. Nevertheless, Jesus obeyed his parents and went home with them.

Now what do we learn? By the age of twelve Jesus knew He was God’s son, not Joseph’s son. However, know this: Jesus was born with no memory of his former glory. Like every other child born to earth, He grew line upon line, precept upon precept, increasing in wisdom, except – and this is the difference with the Lord Jesus – He grew in intellect until no man on earth was wise enough to teach Him. He spoke and acted like no other man before or since (JST Matthew2:23). And yet as He grew in wisdom and intellect, He also increased in favor with God and man (Luke 2:52).

Jesus did always those things that pleased His Heavenly Father, and consequently the grace of God was ever upon Him. (Luke 2:40) Similarly, from the time He was young, Jesus understood love, and by that power He bound men to Him and they loved Him.

Jesus knew who He was and what He was born to do from a tender age. And yet for 30 years, Jesus was the carpenter’s son, working as a carpenter under Joseph, all the while waiting, preparing, growing in strength, wisdom, and spirituality.

And finally when it was time, He came out of the Galilee unto Jordan unto John to be baptized, having prepared Himself for His mission spiritually, intellectually, physically, socially, just as we must do if we would go where He went, and become as He was.