LESSON VI.—SABBATH, FEBRUARY 10, 1894.
Our last lesson left Jesus in the temple, in the arms of Simeon, closing with Simeon's thanksgiving to God. Joseph and Mary marveled, and Simeon turned and blessed them, addressing to them a prophecy concerning Jesus. At that moment Anna, an aged prophetess, came in, and, recognizing Jesus as the Saviour, gave thanks to the Lord, and went and spoke of him "to all them that looked for redemption in Israel." Joseph and Mary returned to Nazareth, where Jesus remained until he was twelve years old, when he went up to Jerusalem to the passover, with his parents. The remainder of the chapter is devoted to relating the losing of Jesus, and how he was found in the temple, questioning the learned doctors of the law, and amazing them with his answers to their questions. The words "Simeon and Anna," and "Jesus among the doctors," will furnish a good outline upon which to build the details of the lesson. 34. And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set for the falling and rising up of many in Israel; and for a sign which is spoken against; 35. Yea and a sword shall pierce through thine own soul; that thoughts out of many hearts may be revealed. 36. And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher (she was of a great age, having lived with a husband seven years from her virginity, 37. And she had been a widow even for fourscore and four years), which departed not from the temple, worshiping with fastings and supplications night and day. 38. And coming up at that very hour she gave thanks unto God, and spake of him to all them that were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem. 39. And when they had accomplished all things that were according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city Nazareth. 40. And the child grew, and waxed strong, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him. 41. And his parents went every year to Jerusalem at the feast of the passover. 42. And when he was twelve years old, they went up after the custom of the feast: 43. And when they had fulfilled the days, as they were returning, the boy Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and his parents knew it not; 44. But supposing him to be in the company, they went a day's journey; and they sought for him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance; 45. And when they found him not, they returned to Jerusalem, seeking for him. 46. And it came to pass, after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions: 47. And all that heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. 48. And when they saw him, they were astonished; and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I sought thee sorrowing. 49. And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be in my Father's house? 50. And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them. 51. And he went down with them to Nazareth; and was subject unto them; and his mother kept all these sayings in her heart. 52. And Jesus advanced in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men. 1. What did Simeon say to Mary after his thanksgiving to God? See also note 1. 2. In what words did he foretell the crucifixion? See also note 2. 3. Who came in at that instant? 4. How did Anna occupy her time? 5. How did she show that she recognized Jesus? 6. To whom did she speak of him? 7. When Joseph and Mary had performed the prescribed ceremonies, where did they go? 8. What is said of the growth of Jesus? 9. Where did his parents go every year? 10. How old was Jesus when he went with them? 11. When they started to return home, what did Jesus do? 12. How long was it before they found out that he was not with them? 13. What did they then do? 14. How long was it before they found him? See also note 3. 15. What was he doing? See also note 4. 16. What caused the people astonishment? 17. What did Mary say to Jesus? 18. What reply did he make? 19. How did he regard his parents, notwithstanding his wisdom? 20. In what did Jesus increase? See also note 5. 1. In verses 34 and 35 we have a brief prophecy of the earthly ministry and the death of Jesus. Christ was sent for the fall and rising of many in Jerusalem. While he was, according to the prophet, to be a sanctuary, he was also to be a stone of stumbling and a rock of offence. Isa. 8: 14. That over which some stumble, lifts others up. All might find up-building in him if they would. 2. "That the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed."—The thoughts that rule in men's hearts are revealed by the various ways in which they regard Jesus. Simeon and Anna had no difficulty in recognizing who Jesus was; it was because their hearts were continually open to receive instruction from God. They knew the voice of God when he spoke to them. God speaks to men now just as surely and as plainly as he did to them, but few recognize the voice. In the Bible we have God's word. Christ dwells in the word; for he is the Word. Yet how many read and hear the burning words of inspiration, and do not recognize Christ in them. Are not such as culpable as the priests and doctors of old, who did not see in the child before them the Son of God, the Lord of all? We are apt to think that people in those days were very blind, and can hardly have patience with them for their unbelief, and then we go and act over again their very failings. Why do we not learn from the unbelief as well as from the faith of the men of old? What blessedness would come to us if we would receive the "consolation of Israel" as readily as did Simeon. 3. After three days, etc.—That was an exhibition of divine wisdom, for Christ in his humanity was never separated from divinity. Why was that recorded? Was it simply to show us the wonderful wisdom of Jesus, that we may admire it?—No, for Christ was an example for men. It was written that we may know that the same heavenly wisdom may be ours if Christ dwells in our hearts by faith. Christ is declared to be "the power of God and the wisdom of God." 1 Cor. 1: 24. And God has made him unto us wisdom. Verse 30. He is to us wisdom and righteousness. Now, just as all the righteousness of Christ may be ours by faith, so with wisdom, when we have the Spirit of Christ, so that we can use it with his humility, and not be puffed up. This is really too wonderful a thought to be grasped, but we know that God is able to do for us "exceeding abundantly, above all that we ask or think." Eph. 3: 20. 4. "And he went down with them . . . and was subject unto them."—Two things may be learned from this: First, the simplicity of Jesus. He did not "put on airs" because of his great wisdom. There was not a doctor in Jerusalem whose knowledge exceeded that of this twelve-year-old-child, yet he was as void of self-consciousness, and as obedient, as it was possible for a child to be. What wonders may be wrought even in children, if Christ dwells in them! He lived the life of a child that he might give his life to children, and live in them the Christ life while yet they remain little children. All who are saved, both old and young, are "saved by his life" (Rom. 5: 10), that is, by his life in us instead of our life of self (see Gal. 2: 20). And so we may learn, as far at least as the fifth commandment is concerned, that Christ is made unto us righteousness, that is, the law of God. Christ is the same "yesterday, and to-day, and forever." Heb. 13: 8. He lives the same life now that he always did,—the same that he did on earth. So when Christ lives in any soul, there will be manifest obedience to parents, and reverence for authority. He in whose heart Christ dwells, has the law of God in his heart, and its righteousness manifested in his life. 5. "And Jesus increased," etc.—Here is an illustration of the mystery of divine perfection and divine growth. Jesus was no less the Son of God when he lay in the manger in Bethlehem, or when he was subject to Joseph and Mary at Nazareth, than he was at his baptism or on the mount of transfiguration. When he was brought into the world, the command went forth, "Let all the angels of God worship him." Heb. 1: 6. Yet he increased in wisdom and in favor with God, even as he increased in stature. He was perfect all the time, yet he grew in grace. So we, if we believe in him, are "complete in him" (Col. 2: 10), yet we are to "grow up into him in all things" (Eph. 4: 15), to "grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ" (2 Peter 3: 18). As Christ is infinite, so if we are in him we207have possibilities of infinite growth. The Christian is to be perfect, even as his Father in heaven is perfect, yet he will never get to the place where there is no more opportunity for growth, where there is nothing more for him beyond. Perfection is found only in growth, not in cessation of growth. The plant may be a perfect plant every day, yet it is far different at the close of the year from what it was at the beginning. A perfect specimen of a plant one month after planting, will be very far from perfect if it presents exactly the same appearance six months later. When a tree stops growing, it dies. Its perfection consists in its living and growing. "The righteous shall flourish like a palm tree; he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon." Ps. 92: 12.