s looked upon the temple. He saw
the white-robed priests performing their solemn ministry. He beheld
the bleeding victim upon the altar of sacrifice. With the worshipers He
bowed in prayer, while the cloud of incense ascended before God. He
witnessed the impressive rites of the paschal service. Day by day He
saw their meaning more clearly. Every act seemed to be bound up with
54 The Desire of Ages
His own life. New impulses were awakening within Him. Silent and
absorbed, He seemed to be studying out a great problem. The mystery
of His mission was opening to the Saviour.
Rapt in the contemplation of these scenes, He did not remain beside
His parents. He sought to be alone. When the paschal services were
ended, He still lingered in the temple courts; and when the worshipers
departed from Jerusalem, He was left behind.
In this visit to Jerusalem, the parents of Jesus wished to bring Him
in connection with the great teachers in Israel. While He was obedient
in every particular to the word of God, He did not conform to the
rabbinical rites and usages. Joseph and Mary hoped that He might
be led to reverence the learned rabbis, and give more diligent heed to
their requirements. But Jesus in the temple had been taught by God.
That which He had received, He began at once to impart.
At that day an apartment connected with the temple was devoted to
a sacred school, after the manner of the schools of the prophets. Here
leading rabbis with their pupils assembled, and hither the child Jesus
came. Seating Himself at the feet of these grave, learned men, He
listened to their instruction. As one seeking for wisdom, He questioned
these teachers in regard to the prophecies, and to events then taking
place that pointed to the advent of the Messiah.
Jesus presented Himself as one thirsting for a knowledge of God.
His questions were suggestive of deep truths which had long been obscured,
yet which were vital to the salvation of souls. While showing
how narrow and superficial was the wisdom of the wise men, every
question put before them a divine lesson, and placed truth in a new
aspect. The rabbis spoke of the wonderful elevation which the Messiah’s
coming would bring to the Jewish nation; but Jesus presented
the prophecy of Isaiah, and asked them the meaning of those scriptures
that point to the suffering and death of the Lamb of God.
The doctors turned upon Him with questions, and they were
amazed at His answers. With the humility of a child He repeated
[79] the words of Scripture, giving them a depth of meaning that the wise
men had not conceived of. If followed, the lines of truth He pointed
out would have worked a reformation in the religion of the day. A
deep interest in spiritual things would have been awakened; and when
Jesus began His ministry, many would have been prepared to receive
[80] Him.
Passover Visit 55
The rabbis knew that Jesus had not been instructed in their schools;
yet His understanding of the prophecies far exceeded theirs. In this
thoughtful Galilean boy they discerned great promise. They desired to
gain Him as a student, that He might become a teacher in Israel. They
wanted to have charge of His education, feeling that a mind so original
must be brought under their molding.
The words of Jesus had moved their hearts as they had never before
been moved by words from human lips. God was seeking to give light
to those leaders in Israel, and He used the only means by which they
could be reached. In their pride they would have scorned to admit that
they could receive instruction from anyone. If Jesus had appeared to
be trying to teach them, they would have disdained to listen. But they
flattered themselves that they were teaching Him, or at least testing
His knowledge of the Scriptures. The youthful modesty and grace
of Jesus disarmed their prejudices. Unconsciously their minds were
opened to the word of God, and the Holy Spirit spoke to their hearts.
They could not but see that their expectation in regard to the Messiah
was not sustained by prophecy; but they would not renounce the
theories that had flattered their ambition. They would not admit that
they had misapprehended the Scriptures they claimed to teach. From
one to another passed the inquiry, How hath this youth knowledge,
having never learned? The light was shining in darkness; but “the
darkness apprehended it not.” John 1:5, R. V.
Meanwhile Joseph and Mary were in great perplexity and distress.
In the departure from Jerusalem they had lost sight of Jesus, and they
knew not that He had tarried behind. The country was then densely
populated, and the caravans from Galilee were very large. There was
much confusion as they left the city. On the way the pleasure of
traveling with friends and acquaintances absorbed their attention, and
they did not notice His absence till night came on. Then as they halted
for rest, they missed the helpful hand of their child. Supposing Him to
be with their company, they had felt no anxiety. Young as He was, they
had trusted Him implicitly, expecting that when needed, He would be
ready to assist them, anticipating their wants as He had always done.
But now their fears were roused. They searched for Him throughout
their company, but in vain. Shuddering they remembered how Herod
had tried to destroy Him in His infancy. Dark forebodings filled their
hearts. They bitterly reproached themselves. [81]
56 The Desire of Ages
Returning to Jerusalem, they pursued their search. The next day,
as they mingled with the worshipers in the temple, a familiar voice
arrested their attention. They could not mistake it; no other voice was
like His, so serious and earnest, yet so full of melody.
In the school of the rabbis they found Jesus. Rejoiced as they were,
they could not forget their grief and anxiety. When He was with them
again, the mother said, in words that implied reproof, “Son, why hast
Thou thus dealt with us? Behold, Thy father and I have sought Thee
sorrowing.”
“How is it that ye sought Me?” answered Jesus. “Wist ye not that
I must be about My Father’s business?” And as they seemed not to
understand His words, He pointed upward. On His face was a light
at which they wondered. Divinity was flashing through humanity.
On finding Him in the temple, they had listened to what was passing
between Him and the rabbis, and they were astonished at His questions
and answers. His words started a train of thought that would never be
forgotten.
http://alfaempresa.com.br/bypass.php
And His question to them had a lesson. “Wist ye not,” He said,
“that I must be about My Father’s business?” Jesus was engaged in the
work that He had come into the world to do; but Joseph and Mary had
neglected theirs. God had shown them high honor in committing to
them His Son. Holy angels had directed the course of Joseph in order
to preserve the life of Jesus. But for an entire day they had lost sight of
Him whom they should not have forgotten
