The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-01-11
SUNDAY-SCHOOL WORK
CALCULATION AND REVIEW OF IN
TERNATIONAL LESSON, JAN. II.
The BoyhOod OF Jesus, as Related In
Luke III, 4O-52-A Conspicuous and
Instructive Example.

BY REV. JAMES E. GILBERT. d. D..
Secretary of the American Society OF Re-
!igious Education.
(These lessons constitute the Sunday
school extension department Of the above
named society All who study them are re-
quested TO send their names, postofflce ad-
dress and denomination, mentioning this
paper, 10 the author at Washington, ID. c..
for enrollmen.)
CONTEXT-The lesson for Dec. % duke
II. 500 left Jesus a babe in the manger at
Bethlehem. Matthew and Luke alone fur
nish information concerning him for the
time Immediately following. When eight
days old He was circumcised luke II, 21),
fulfilling the law. Qev. ii, 21) After the
days of publication Gev. xii. p He was pre-
scented in the Temple at Jerusalem. Carried
to Bethlehem, He was Yorshiped by the
wise men. Matt ii, 1-12) subsequently, TO
escape the cruel Herod. the holy family
sought an asylum in Egypt, and after the
death of that bloodthrsty monster they
returned and took up their residence at
Nazareth. the home of Joseph. duke i. 2S)
In that despsed village John /. 4e) Jesus
must have pursued the course of training
common to the boys of the time, being
known as the son of a carpenter. Matt.
xiii, $50 At least nine full years elapsed be-
tween the entrance into Nazareth and the
events of our present lesson-years of pro-
found quiet they were. the inspired penmen
having given no account of what transpired.
GROWTH.-Of those years of Jesus in Els
Nazareth home the fortieth verse of our
lesson makes mention under four heads
He grew" referring. doubtless, to His
body, which, free from disease, unfolded
oil ~ H.
He 'waxed strong in spirit"-the faculties
of His mind manifested vigor enabling Him
to pursue lines of thought He was filled
with WISDOM" displaying sound judgment
concerning things about Him. And,
best of all, the grace of God
was upon Him'-the Holy Spirit il
lumined His mind and Influenced
His heart. These statements accorded with
the predictions concerning the Messiah.
Qsa. xi, 2, 81 The development of Jesus was
strictly human, like that of John duke l.
1880, and of the apostles. (Acts v, 33.)
How, then, can the church affirm that He
was more than human? They who ask such
questions forget that Luke wrote history.
He presented the boy as He appeared to
those about Him. The divinity may not
have been displayed at that early age fur
III
would be revealed in after years, and the
record would be made accordingly. duke
X, 22)
FEAST.-At last Jesus came forth from
obscurity into brief public notice. 1t oc-
CURED when he was twelve years old. at
which age Jewish boy was supposed to
nave gained sufficient knowledge to choose
and act for himself. when he was required
10 assume oDllSauons as son Of the law.
UP to that age Jesus had been under in
structon In the family OF Joseph, accord
ing TO time-honored custom In Israel Oeut
performed his religious duties for his entire
household: But. having passed His twelfth
birthday. He was allowed for the first time
deed, this was His duty, for the law re-
CURED all males of accountable age to ap-
pear before the Lord CGx. xiii, I'D. The
It's commemorative eek. xiii I'D and typical
character u Cor. v, q. The journey from
& to Se 81, distance OF eighty
hills OF historic renown, destined to be
the scenes of many wonderful deeds in
the Saviors ministry.
TARRIED.-Jesus came to the national
capital unannounced, attracting TO more
attention than other lads Of similar age
are not informed concerning the part as
signed Him, while Joseph and Mary per-
formed the rites pertaining to the &C.
casion. He must have participated to some
extent, else the purposes of His visit would
not have been gained. But He was certain
iy allowed some liberty, appropriate to one
according to His pleasure, for He became
separated from His mother. When the days
We're accomplished Oh Chron. xxxv, I'D. and
all the duties or the great feast week were
fully met, Joseph set out for home, but
Jesus tarried in the city. What did that
signify? Was He lost among the throng
he Intentionally cast off parental authority
under the impulse Of His dawning man.
hood? Was He charmed by the novelty of
city life. anxious to know more Of the
larger world into which He had come? The
answers to these questions will reveal His
SEARCH. - Many have wondered that
Mary left. Jerusalem without her son, and
some have accused her Of culpable neglect.
1t must be remembered that people went in
caravans to the Passover, partly for COM
fort and partly for protection against rob
bers that infested the way. The members
of families would naturally arrange them
selves in groups, some walking. some rid
ing. The absence of individual would
not be noticed until, at the c.ose of the day,
made for the night Mary supposed Jesus
! was in the company and gave no thought
to Him, but at the close of the day she was
knew nothing of Him. Turning back she
| made dligent and anxious search for the
missing boy: Many fears must have been
| awakened. The people had begun to dis
/ perse, and He may have been Joined TO
some other outgoing company to be taken
| far away. Or he may have been Ill, or
some accident may have befallen Him. A
! true mother would surmise many things
| FOUND.-On the third day of the search
| Jesus was found. Where? Amid the gay
who surrounded the Roman Governor? In
the shops where the rich fabrics of Damas-
| Gus were displayed? In the gates, where
justice was administered? In the market
place, where men assembled for barter? In
the streets, where boys were at play? In the
custody of officers whose business 1t was TO
| protect the unfortunate? Mary and Joseph
may have visited all these PAGES, but in
vain. They found Him where they least ex-
| pected-in the Temple. in one OF those spa
| cious chambers set apart to purposes OF in
struction- He sitting with the doctors
| (Acts v, 34), the wise men of the nation
many of them venerable and gray-headed
| In the spirit of humility He hearing
and asking questions, assuming the attitude
of a learner. His enthusiasm and wisdom