p. 7 | My Father’s Business by H.

Pacific Press Publishing Association · Mountain View, California · Jul 28, 1909

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 36, No. 29.

“My Father’s Business”

By H.

“The boy Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and His parents knew it not; but supposing Him to be in the company, they went a day’s journey; and they sought for Him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance.” Luke 2: 43, 44.

WHY so careless? we ask. What mother would forget her twelve-year-old boy in a great, unknown city, and travel a whole day before seeking for him? But think again, What mother ever had such a son? Already, even as a child, He “grew and waxed strong: and the grace of God was upon Him.” Doubtless for several years she had been trusting Him almost implicitly; obedient and true to her command, He was trustworthy and honest beyond His years.

In the temple the Boy saw the services which suddenly became clear to Him. He was the lamb, His was the blood, to Him the service pointed. Filled with the glory of it all, and longing to know more of the wonderful plan of atonement, He lingered, “tarried behind in Jerusalem.” So taken up with all that He saw was He that when the feast was over and the caravans left the city, He did not notice. Had He thought, He would have known that His parents would start at such a time, and that they were depending upon Him to be there, but His “Father’s business” called to Him stronger than any earthly call, and He heeded the heavenly bidding.

Mary trusted her Boy. She knew that He obeyed her always. Never had He refused to obey. When the caravan started on its homeward journey, she was confident that Jesus was in the company, and therefore did not look for Him. This is evident from the fact that when He was missed, they “sought for Him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance.” Failing to find Him where they supposed He would be, they hastened back to the city.

Between mother and Son there was the utmost confidence; He was an obedient Son, and she was a trusting mother. With her it was but natural that the sturdy Boy should care for Himself — was He not one among the men now, a son of the law? She could not fully realize that this change in His life meant more to Him than to other boys of twelve. He Himself did not appreciate all that it meant — He could not; but His Father’s business took from Him all sense of earthly obligation. Not conscious of the unusual conditions, Mary expected Jesus to follow His usual course. Overawed and filled with His newly revealed life-mission, Jesus was unconscious of human ties. She was not careless or unmindful of her responsibility; He was not lacking in respect and judgment.

O, that every mother to-day were thus training her children to trustworthiness and implicit obedience! Then might the mothers go upon the journey of life unhampered by the burden of the care of children who should be independent and strong and true. Then would the sons and daughters be ready to hear and obey the call to be about the Father’s business.