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Passover Visit
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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. Their minds opened to the Word of
God, and the Holy Spirit spoke to their hearts.
They could see that their expectation of the Messiah was not
sustained by prophecy, but they would not admit that they had mis-
apprehended the Scriptures they claimed to teach.
His Parents Become Worried
Meanwhile, in the departure from Jerusalem Joseph and Mary
had lost sight of Jesus. The pleasure of traveling with friends ab-
sorbed their attention, and they did not notice His absence till night
came on. Then they missed the helpful hand of their child. Suppos-
ing Him to be with their company, they had felt no anxiety. But now
their fears were roused. Shuddering, they remembered how Herod
had tried to destroy Him in His infancy. Dark forebodings filled
their hearts.
Returning to Jerusalem, they pursued their search. The next day,
in the temple, a familiar voice arrested their attention. They could
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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 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?” As they seemed not 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 engaged 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 to them His Son. But for an entire day
they had lost sight of Him, and when their anxiety was relieved, they
had not censured themselves but had blamed Him.
It was natural for the parents of Jesus to look upon Him as their
own child. His life in many respects was like that of other children,