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Passover Visit
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them, they would have refused to listen. But they told themselves
that they were teaching Him—or at least testing His knowledge of
the Scriptures. Jesus’ youthful modesty and grace disarmed their
prejudices. Their minds opened to the Word of God, and the Holy
Spirit spoke to their hearts.
They could see that prophecy did not sustain their expectation of
the Messiah, but they would not admit that they had misunderstood
the Scriptures they claimed to teach.
His Parents Become Worried
Meanwhile, in leaving Jerusalem, Joseph and Mary had lost
sight of Jesus. The pleasure of traveling with friends absorbed their
attention, and they did not notice His absence until night came. Then
they missed the helpful hand of their Child. Supposing Him to be
with their group, they had not been worried. But now their fears
arose. Shuddering, they remembered how Herod had tried to destroy
Him in His infancy. Dark dread filled their hearts.
Returning to Jerusalem, they launched their search. The next
day, in the temple, a familiar voice caught their attention. They
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could not mistake it—so serious and earnest, yet so full of melody.
In the school of the rabbis, they found Jesus.
When He was with them again, His mother said in words that
implied reproof, “Son, why have You done this to us? Look, Your
father and I have sought You anxiously.”
“Why did you seek Me?” answered Jesus. “Did you not know
that I must be about My Father’s business?” When they did not
seem to understand, He pointed upward. On His face was a light.
Divinity was flashing through humanity. They had listened to what
was passing between Him and the rabbis and were astonished at His
questions and answers.
Jesus was occupied in the work He had come into the world to
do, but Joseph and Mary had neglected theirs. God had shown them
high honor in committing His Son to them. But for an entire day,
they had lost sight of Him, and when their anxiety was relieved, they
had not condemned themselves but had blamed Him.
It was natural for Jesus’ parents to look on Him as their own
Child. His life in many respects was like that of other children, and