Women of Note in the New Testament
45
the Passover; and when Jesus had reached the required age, they took
Him with them.—
The Desire of Ages, 75 (1898)
.
For the first time the child Jesus 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
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.... 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.—
The Desire of Ages, 78 (1898)
.
The wise men were surprised at the questions that the child Jesus
asked. They wanted to encourage Him in studying the Bible, and
they wanted to see how much He knew about the prophecies. This
[52]
is why they asked Him so many questions. Joseph and Mary were
as much surprised at the wise answers of their son as were the wise
men themselves. When there was a pause, Mary, the mother of Jesus,
came up to her son, and asked, “Son, why hast thou thus dealt with
us? Behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing.” Then a
divine light shone from Jesus’ face, as He lifted His hand and said,
“How is it that ye sought me? Wist ye not that I must be about my
Father’s business? And they understood not the saying which he spake
unto them.” They did not know what He really meant by these words,
but they knew He was a true son, who would be submissive to their
commands. Though He was the Son of God, He went down to Nazareth
and was subject to His parents. Though His mother did not understand