Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-01-20
for Sunday Scboob.
STAR LESSON FOR JANUARY 81.
THE BOY JESUS. Luke ii:4o-s2.
BY Rev. ]. E. Gilbert, DID,,

CONTEXT.-Last lesson left Jesus. n
pane, In the manager at Bethlehem. Mat
thew and Luke alone furnish information
concerning Him for the time Immediately
following. When eight days old he was
eircumcised Quke, HE'D. fulfilling the law
Nev., h:21) After the days of purifca-
ton Uev.. xli:2) He was presented in the
temple at Jerusalem Carried again to
Bethlehem. He was worshiped by the wise
men, Matt, ii:1-12) Subsequently, to es-
cape the cruel Herod. the holy family
sought an asylum in Egypt, and after the
death of the bloodthirsty monster they re-
turned and took up their residence in
Nazareth duke. 1859 In that despised
village John, i:46) Jesus must have been
under the course of training common to the
boys of the time. At last nine full years
elapsed between the entrance into Naz-
areth and the events of our lesson.
ATTENDED oversees 41-42)-At last
Jesus came from obscurity into brief public
notice. 1t occurred when He was twelve
years old, at which age Jewish boy was
supposed to have gained sufficient knowl-
edge to choose and act for himself, when
He assumed obligations as a son Of the
law. Up to that age Jesus had been in
the family of Joseph. receiving instruction
time honored custom of Israel. But, hav-
ing passed His twelfth birthday, He was
allowed for the first time to go up TO
Jerusalem to the passover. Indeed, this
was His duty, for the law required 1t. eek,
The event was one of great in
terest because of it's commemorative EEK,
xxii:1D and typical character The jour
ney from Nazareth to Jerusalem. dis
lance of eighty miles southwark, lay along
valleys and over hills of historic renown.
destined to be the scenes of many wonder
full deeds in the Savior's ministry.
TARRIED (verse 43).-Jesus came to
t1n nad oil tuI dat-r tinc
no more attention than other lads of SINH
lar age. We are not informed concerning
the part assigned to Him. while Joseph
and Mary performed the rites pertaining
to the occasion He must have participated
to some extent, else the purpose of His
visit would not have been gained. But He
was certainly allowed some liberty, appro-
pirate to one of His years, and must have
moved about according to His pleasure for
He became separated from His mother.
When the days We're accomplished Oh Chr,
xXXv:1D and the duties of the feast were
met. Joseph set out for home, but Jesus
tarred. Was He lost among the throngs
that filed the streets? psalms, cXXi:4.)
Had He cast off parental authority, under
the impulse of opening manhood? Was
He charmed by the novelty of city life,
anxious to know mofe about the larger
world into which He had come? The an
swers to these questions will fix His place
in history.
SEARCHED oversees 4-45,-Many
without her son. 1t must be remembered
that people went to the passover in cara
vans, partly for comfort and partly for
protection against robbers that infested the
way. The members of families would nat
urally arrange themselves in groups, some
walking, some riding. The absence of an
individual might not be noticed until at
the close of the day. when the caravan
halted and arrangements were made for
the night Mary was surprised on learning
that Jesus was not with the kinsfolk. Turn
ing back she made diligent search for the
missing boy. Many fears must have been
awakened. The people had begun to dis
perse from the city, 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.
FOUND. (verses 46-47) On the third
day of the search Jesus was found. Where?
Amid the gay. who surrounded the off,
Gals of the Roman government? In the
shops where the rich fabrics of Damascus
were displayed? In the market place, where
men assembled for barter? In the gates.
where justice was administered? In the
streets, where boys are at play? In the
custody of officers whose duty it was to
protect the unfortunate? Mary and Joseph
may have visited all these places, but all 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 was sitting with the doctors
(Acts, v:34), the wise men OF the nation,
many OF them VeneraDle ana Sray-nea Qed.
In the spirit of humility He was hearing
and asking questions. His enthusiasm and
wisdom awakened the wonder of those
learned fathers.
CHIDED. Verse 49, The sight Of the
beautiful son engaged in such worthy voca-
ton carried great joy to the heart of the
mother and to the foster-father. But min
gled with that feeling of gladness was one
of establishment. In the little village of
Nazareth, during the years of His tutelage,
Jesus had no opportunity to associate with
men of such ability, and, while He had
grown in favor with the people duke,