We're almost there.
You must be excited.
Do you remember what to say to the priest?
Are you all right?
I'm trying to be reverent
since we're getting closer to the temple.
I think Jesus is in for a surprise.
( Market noises )
Here you go.
I'll get the firewood.
And while you're doing that I'll find a good clay pot.
Wood for sale!
How much?
Two bundles please.
One shekel please.
Papa, Mother says to get salt and bread too.
Well, we've got a lot of stuff to carry, don't we?
This one is perfect for the Passover lamb.
Cheap too.
How much?
(laughing) Just three shekels.
How about two?
Taken.
Are you tired?
It shouldn't be much longer.
Peace be to you, sir.
I am Jesus of Nazareth.
On behalf of my family I offer this lamb as a sacrifice to the Lord.
It shall be accepted. Well done.
He just turned twelve.
Is that so?
Are you ready to become a son of the law?
Shall I test you?
What's special about the lamb you've brought today?
It's our best one, without spot or blemish.
And why do you offer your best?
To show the Lord we love Him.
Well said, young one. Very well said.
This way.
Rabbi, what should I do?
The man who's been stealing my sheep was recently caught.
The law says he must pay you four sheep for every one he stole.
That's the problem. He can't pay it back. He's poor.
Then the law says he must be sold into slavery.
Perhaps there is a better way.
Why do we celebrate the Passover?
Don't you know?
Passover is the time to give thanks to God for delivering us from slavery.
Is it right, then, to sell a man into slavery
while thanking God for taking us out of slavery?
Excuse us, gentlemen. He's a curious boy.
Lord of Hosts, God on high,
accept this pure and holy lamb as a sacrifice for sin.
Where's Jesus?
He knows we're leaving.
He's going to be walking with his cousins.
Joseph, I still haven't seen Jesus.
He's fine. Jesus is fine.
It's only natural for a mother to worry.
Jesus! Jesus!
Jesus!
Have you seen Jesus?
Maybe he's with his cousins down the way.
I've already checked there.
Did you see him at all today?
Was he ever with you?
We thought he was with you.
Jesus! Jesus!
None of the children have seen him.
I'm scared, Joseph.
He probably just got left behind.
We'll go back and find him.
Don't worry.
( city noises )
Jesus!
( child crying)
Jesus? Oh, Jesus!
He's all right.
We haven't heard any report of a lost boy.
Can you help us find him? The city's so big.
Well, perhaps in the morning I can spare a few men.
In the morning? What about tonight?
We aren't payed to find runaway boys.
Jesus didn't run away; he's lost!
I should think there would be something you could do.
It's all right, Mary. It's all right.
Thank you. We'll come in the morning.
He's about this tall and his name is Jesus.
Nope. No.
The last time we saw him was at the north gate,
but that was three days ago.
We haven't seen him.
Jesus!
Why was the law given?
To teach us what is wrong in the sight of God.
Yes, but more important than knowing what is wrong
is doing what is right.
Jesus.
Mary!
I hope you don't mean to suggest that the law is useless.
No, I suppose not.
But what if the law could be fulfilled.
Fulfilled?
Yes, fulfilled by love.
What would happen if we loved others like we love ourselve...
more than we love ourselves?
We would be filled with mercy and compassion.
The law is good, but it cannot change our heart.
For a man may love the law and hate his brother.
But when love fills our heart, then we have fulfilled the law.
Yes. Yes.
Mother.
Oh, Jesus.
Where have you been? Your father and I have looked everywhere for you!
We've been to every house and market in Jerusalem.
Why have you sought me so?
Didn't you know I'd be about my father's business?
Will you come home, Jesus?
( narrator) There Jesus grew strong in spirit and was filled with wisdom,
and the grace of God was upon Him.
( song) Golden rays of sunlight
shining from above
fill my soul with gladness,
fill my heart with love.
Moon and stars will echo
through the longest night.
He will light the way for anyone who'll stay in His holy light.
Shimmering o'er the gray horizon dawn reveals its glow.
Growing into dazzling daylight warming all below.
His love shines around me
glorious and bright,
filling me with peace that will never cease in His holy light.
Shimmering o'er the gray horizon dawn reveals its glow.
Growing into dazzling daylight warming all below.
His love shines around me. ( end song)
( God speaking) This is my Beloved Son in whom I am well pleased.
( Narrator) Jesus was then led by the spirit into the wilderness
where he sought wisdom from the Lord through fasting.
(Satan speaking) Forty days and still he lives.
He has great strength indeed.
You need help.
No.
But you'll die soon.
I will not die until I have performed the will of my Father.
Your father?
The Lord God.
(laughing)
If you're the Son of God, then why does He let you suffer so?
I will suffer far worse than this for the sake of God's love.
Prove it to me... here, now.
Take these stones and turn them into bread.
Go on.
Your hunger will be satisfied.
In fact, I will fall down and worship you forever more.
It is written, ''man shall not live by bread alone,
but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.''
I know who you are,
and you know who I am.
Jerusalem.
Oh, Jerusalem.
There they are,
the people you've come to save.
But first they must believe.
It is written, God shall command His angels to protect you,
even from hitting your foot upon a stone.
I have a plan... throw yourself off.
When they see the angels save you, then they'll believe!
Then they will know you're the Son of God.
You say it is written that I shall be saved.
It is.
It is also written, ''thou shalt not tempt the Lord, thy God.''
I am prepared to give it all to you.
It is not yours to give.
It is mine to give!
It is mine!
The people of this world obey my voice.
For I have power, power as you've never seen!
Vineyards and orchards,
gold and silver,
palaces, thrones, crowns,
land without end, flocks and herds,
kings and armies, swords and spears,
This is power!
And it can be yours if you'll do this one thing...
fall down and worship me forever.
Do as I command!
Fall down and worship me, the God of this world!
Satan, get thee hence.
For it is written,
''thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and Him only shalt thou serve.''
( screaming)
( Angels singing) Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
And Jesus returned in the power of the spirit into Galilee,
and there went out a fame of Him through all the region round about.
Dr Michael Michael_saeeed@yahoo.com