(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 teachers, 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? knew 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, and came to Nazareth; and He 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." Verse 52.
Golden Text.—"And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man." Verse 52.
SUGGESTIVE QUESTIONS.
(1) What does the lesson say of Jesus as a child? Verse 40. Note 1. (2) To what feast did His parents go every year? Verse 41. Note 2. (3) At what age did Jesus go to the feast? Verse 42. Note 3. (4) When the feast was ended, what did Jesus do without the knowledge of His parents? Verse 43. (5) Where did they suppose He was? How long did they go without looking for Him? Verse 44. (6) When they failed to find Him with their friends, what did they do? Verse 45. (7) How long were His parents in seeking for Him? Then where did they find Him? How was He engaged? Verse 46. Note 4. (8) What impression did Jesus make upon those who heard Him? Verse 47. (9) How were His parents affected when they saw Him? What did His mother say to Him? Verse 48. Note 5. (10) How did Jesus reply to His mother's query? Verse 49. Note 6. (11) How did the parents of Jesus regard His reply? Verse 50. (12) What was the further course of Jesus? What impression did His words have upon His mother? Verse 51. Note 7. (13) What is said of His progress in life? Verse 52. Note 8.
NOTES.
1. "Filled with wisdom."—The reason that Jesus was filled with wisdom is that He was brought up to conform His life to the law of God. "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; a good understanding have all they that do His commandments." For this reason "great grace" (the favor of God) was upon Him. As Jesus said of Himself, "I have kept My Father's commandments, and abide in His love." And such is the privilege of His disciples. John 15:10; 1 John 5:3.
2. Every year all the males were required to attend this feast, and many of the women also attended.
3. At the age of twelve years the Hebrew boy had a fair education. He was not only taught the law and the Scriptures at home, but it was customary to have day-school in the synagogues which the child began to attend at the age of six years. There they learned to read and write. In Palestine they learned three languages—Hebrew, Greek, and Aramaic. The Aramaic was the common language of Palestine. The Scriptures were a leading study, and this of itself would tend to develop a very intelligent boy at the age of twelve years. An obedient boy, such as Jesus was, would be unusually intelligent. At that age the boy was reckoned as a "son of the law;" that is, he must enter upon the duties and personal responsibilities of adherence to the services of the church. He must needs go up to the feast.
4. These great convocations were occasions when the great teachers discussed important matters, and gave instruction to the people. Jesus was in one of the companies gathered to hear instruction, and by His questions, and answers to questions, greatly amazed all who heard Him.
5. How natural it is to lay the blame of one's own negligence upon an innocent party.
6. The reply of Jesus would clearly indicate that there was no reason for their being obliged to search for Him. He had not hidden from them. Had they appreciated the value of their charge, and they realized that he was indeed the Son of God, they would have instinctively looked for Him at His Father's house, engaged in His Father's business. But they had become so used to look upon Jesus as their own boy, and in a common light, that they grew careless of the responsibility even from that standpoint. So it is always a great spiritual loss to depreciate Christ to any degree below the position of a full and efficient Saviour.
7. "He was subject unto them."—Throughout His youth and manhood, until the age of thirty years, Jesus was a dutiful member of the home family, contributing by His labor to its support. But it is safe to say that this honest, industrious, pious, sociable young Man lost no opportunity to do good to those outside of His family.
8. A young man's growth in true wisdom naturally contributes to a healthful body; and the fact that Jesus grew in favor with both God and man, would indicate two things: (1) that His character was upright; (2) that His religion was not morose or austere, or in any way pharisaical. He faithfully did His part toward the welfare of the community. Moreover, He must have had a genial disposition, for the little children loved Him.
