22
The Spirit of Prophecy Volume 2
to Nazareth, and was subject unto them; but his mother kept all these
sayings in her heart. And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and
[33]
in favor with God and man.”
The doctors, and expounders of the law, always taught the people
publicly upon especial occasions. It was upon one of these occasions
that Jesus gave manifest proofs of superior wisdom, penetration, and
mature judgment. The people were more surprised because the par-
ents of Christ were poor, and he had not received the advantages of
education. The question passed from lip to lip, Whence has this youth
such wisdom, having never learned? While the parents of Christ were
in search of him, they saw large numbers flocking to the temple; and
as they entered it, the well-known voice of their son arrested their
attention. They could not get sight of him for the crowd; but they knew
that they were not mistaken, for no voice was like his, marked with
solemn melody. The parents gazed in astonishment at the scene. Their
son, in the midst of the grave and learned doctors and scribes, was
giving evidence of superior knowledge by his discreet questions and
answers. His parents were gratified to see him thus honored. But the
mother could not forget the grief and anxiety she had suffered because
of his tarry at Jerusalem, and she, in a reproving manner, inquired
why he had thus dealt with them, relating her fears and sorrow on his
account.
Said Jesus, “How is it that ye sought me?” This pointed question
was to lead them to see that if they had been mindful of their duty,
they would not have left Jerusalem without him. He then adds, “Wist
ye not that I must be about my Father’s business?” While they had
been unmindful of the responsible charge intrusted to them, Jesus was
[34]
engaged in the work of his Father. Mary knew that Christ did not refer
to his earthly father, Joseph, but to Jehovah. She laid these things to
heart, and profited by them.
In returning from Jerusalem with the crowd, talking and visiting
engrossed their minds, and Jesus was forgotten for an entire day. His
absence was not observed until the close of the day. Joseph and Mary
had been honored of God in an especial manner, in being intrusted
with the responsible charge of the Saviour. Angels had heralded his
birth to the shepherds, and God had directed the course of Joseph, to
preserve the life of the infant Saviour. But the confusion of much talk
had led to the neglect of their sacred trust, and Jesus was not brought