International S. S. Lessons.
"So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading."
—Neh. 8:8 LESSON V.—SUNDAY, JULY 29, 1894.
[NOTE.—The questions which follow are merely suggestive for the student on the leading points of the lesson: it is presumed that the thorough student will think of many more as he studies the subject. References, where verses alone are given, always refer to the lesson scripture printed above. All other references are given in book, chapter, and verse. The text printed is that of the Revised Version, not because it is especially preferred, but because it is not found in every family, as is the common version.] - AND the child grew, and waxed strong, filled with wisdom; and the grace of God was upon him.
- And his parents went every year to Jerusalem at the feast of the passover.
- And when he was twelve years old, they went up after the custom of the feast;
- And when they had fulfilled the days, as they were returning, 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;
- And when they found him not, they returned to Jerusalem, seeking for him.
- 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.
- And all that heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers.
- 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.
- And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be in my Father's house?
- And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them.
- And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth; and he was subject unto them; and his mother kept all these sayings in her heart.
- And Jesus advanced in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.
Golden Text: "And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man." Luke 2: 52. NOTE.—This lesson closes the lessons on the childhood and youth of Jesus, which is covered by the second and third chapters of Matthew. The briefest hints of his youth are found in Matt. 2: 23 and Mark 6: 3. He seems to have learned the carpenter's trade, and is called in Mark 6: 3 "the carpenter," well known evidently to the little circle of acquaintances which surrounded him in Nazareth. The places mentioned in this lesson are Jerusalem and Nazareth. The age of Jesus was between twelve and thirteen years. John, the forerunner of Jesus, was six months older, and was living in the solitudes of the wilderness, where he remained until thirty years old. Jesus spent his youth in the town. The rulers were Augustus Caesar, emperor of Rome (near the close of his reign), and Coponius, governor of Judea, which, on the death of Herod, had become a Roman province. Herod Antipas, son of Herod the Great, was ruler of Galilee and Perea. - What is said of the childhood of Jesus? Verse 40. See note 1.
- Where did his parents go every year? Verse 41. See note 2.
- At what time did Jesus go with them to the Passover? Verse 42. See note 3.
- When the parents returned at the end of seven days, what did Jesus do? Verse 43.
- What knowledge had his father and mother of this? Verse 44.
- How long did they proceed before they missed him? Verse 44. See note 4.
- After how long, and where, did they find him? Verses 45, 46. See note 5.
- How were they regarding Jesus? Verse 47.
- What did his parents say when they found him? Verse 48.
- What reply did he make? Verse 49. See note 6.
- Did they understand the full import of this saying? Verse 50.
- What is said of his future life at Nazareth? Verse 51. See note 7.
- How did his mother regard this saying?
- What is said of his progress? Memory verse.
1. And the child grew.—In physical development he was doubtless the same as other boys in14his own country. While he was the divine Son of God, he was also completely human. He grew in knowledge and wisdom as he grew in stature and strength. He had the same temptations, difficulties, and trials, the same battles to fight against selfishness. He met, as we have to meet, all the various vices of humanity, and can therefore sympathize with all classes and ages. "Waxed strong" means that he grew in every respect. He was filled with wisdom, and he grew strong by being filled, and the strength which he had was due to the "grace of God" which "was upon him." His surroundings were something as follows: (1) The natural scenery of the village in which he lived; it was rocky and mountainous, but filled with beauty. Like the other boys of his age, he learned to work as well as play. (2) The government was that of Rome, and its yoke was irksome and galling. Taxes were heavy, and in the continual presence of the Roman soldiers, laws, and money, the Jews were ever reminded of their subjection,—they who themselves should have been free and the rulers of the world. When Jesus was ten years old, the insurrection in Galilee occurred, which is spoken of in Acts 5: 37. Jesus must have heard and felt this. (3) He lived in a time when the hopes of the people were great for a Redeemer soon to come, and all the conversation which he heard must have been of a temporal reign. All the outward teachings must naturally have been to fix this in his mind, and make the temptations of Satan all the greater. (4) He was brought up in the schools of that age, and very much was thought then of schools. Some of the popular sayings at that time were as follows: "The world is saved by the breath of the schoolchildren." "Even for the rebuilding of the temple, the schools must not be interrupted." Children were taught not only to read and write, but to memorize the Scriptures and the countless precepts of the rabbis. The language spoken was the Aramaic. He was doubtless taught Bible Hebrew. (5) But the best of all was being taught of God, and the influence of a godly mother. 2. It was the rule for every Hebrew male to attend three feasts each year,—the Passover, Pentecost, and the Feast of Tabernacles. Many times women also went. The Passover commemorated the preservation of the Jews in Egypt, when the destroying angel slew the firstborn of that country. It was called the Passover because the angel passed over the houses of the Hebrews. At these gatherings there were many times great religious revivals. They helped to unite the people, and added to their progress by comparison of notes and a larger acquaintance. 3. At the age of twelve years the Jewish child became what was called "a son of the law." He was at that time considered as having arrived at the age of responsibility, when he was bound to keep the law and customs of the older ones. 4. THERE are two things shown by the conduct of Joseph and Mary. First, they seemed to have perfect confidence in their boy, and felt that he did not need looking after; but, secondly, there was great negligence on their part. God had committed to them a great trust, and they showed their lack of appreciation of that trust in losing sight of the child so long. They should have learned that, as Satan tried to destroy him when so young, he would be just as anxious to do it at this time. The first day's journey is only about ten or twelve miles. They traveled back that distance, looking for him on the way, thinking that perhaps he might have been left. Farrar tells us that in the annual pilgrimage of the Jews to bathe in the fords of the Jordan, children are frequently left behind. What his parents lost in one day, it took them three days to gain. This is often paralleled in our own spiritual life. By some act of carelessness on our part we lose in one moment God's blessing, which takes many anxious hours of prayer and faithful seeking to again obtain. 5. Found him in the temple.—Not in the temple proper, but in one of the porches or chambers belonging to the temple,—a chamber set apart as a kind of free school, where the famous doctors of the law sat and taught. 6. How is it that ye sought me?—These are the first recorded words of Jesus. There is in them a mild reproof to his mother for her lack of care. If she had watched over the precious trust which God had given her, she would not then have been seeking him; and there is also another thought: "Why did you go about seeking me? Where else would I have been found, when I have reached the age of responsibility, but in my Father's house, or about my Father's business?" 7. LUTHER has a little note upon this which is worthy of reproduction: "He was subject to his parents. Whatever mother or father wanted done in the house, fetching water, drink, bread, meat, looking after the house, and other things of that sort, whatever he was bidden, that did the dear little Jesus, like any other child. . . . If he did what his parents bade him, though they were but common and small things, what fine children would we be if we followed his example!" In fact, in these commonplace duties lies the whole secret of faithful life.