Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-01-20

ii:40). exhibiting many noble characteris-
tics, this was the first instance in which He
had voluntarily sought those who were best
informed In the Jewish law. Their amaze
ment was tempered somewhat by feeling
OF mild resentment that He should have
dsne this without the knowledge of His
superfors and protectors. There seemed to
them little breach OF the law OF flial
honor. eek, xx:12) And in a very gentle
way. more effective because gentle. they
ended Him. The mother said: why dost
tnou treat us thus? Thy father and have
sought Thee sorrowing'
REPLIED. Oversees a9-Jo1 The answer
OF Jesus-his first recorded werds-explains
HIS conduct and gives the key to His after
history. How Is 1t that We sought MeY'
Put the emphasis on the pronouns we,
ana me He appeared to be surprised
that they should think ii possible for Him
10 De IN any danger or In wrong. needing
tneir care; perhaps more surprised that
they did not know where TO find Him His
next question throws light on the first
Wist ye not that 1 must be about my Fa-
TIERS business3' He recognized Himself
not as the son of Joseph as Mary had init
mated Ga legal relation through marriage)
put the Son of the Highest John, ii:l6). 1t
may have been the first dawning OF His
consciousness of the higher relation. With
the Idea OF sonshlp had come the idea of
obligation and holy impulse toward serv-
Ice John, vi:3S). The magnitude of the Fa-
thers business had awakened His zeal. His
seif-surrender to His high duty was excuse
slhclent FOR temporary neglect of earthly
ties. "Wist We not?" Did We not know this?
Have you SO misjudged the nature and
mission OF your son?
SUBJECT. Oversees 51-52) Having spo-
Ken and revealed Himself His relations.
HIS work. His motives, Jesus left the tenn
pie, returned to Nazareth and assumed the
place of an obedient son (Eph. vi:2) under
the roof of his legal father. mark, vi:3)
Why was this? II so earnest for work why
did He cut short His iabors? II the Son OF
COO, why did He delay entrance upon HIS
career? Many answers have been given to
these questions. Under Jewish law man
might not enter the ministry until thirty
years OF age, and Jesus must obey that law
to secure a following. Matt, iii:15) John
the Baptist must go before Him and pre-
pare the public mind, else the prophecies
would not be fulfilled Matt, ifi:D, neither
would the connection be made between Juda-
ism and Christianity. The social order of
that day required that Jesus must re-enter
the home and sanctify it, as afterward in
the first miracle He honored It. (John
KILL The spirit that directed Him in aai
His career Matt, iv:D now prompted to-
ward the Galiean retreat until called into
public service
REFLECTIONS This passage af-
fords a glimpse of the divine nature of Je-
sus, sufficient, however to assure all cam
did persons of its presence See Him, the
boy-man, surrounded by eminent scholars,
reproyed by His mother. Mediate ON His
words, My Fathers business Here sure
ly, is divinity. But the humanity of the boy
in the temple is most conspicuous, and, per-
maps, most instructive He is good exam
pie to the young, who ought to employ their
early years in seeking the elevating knowl-
edge of sacred things; who ought for the
purpose to frequent the house of God and
choose the company of seniors; who ought
to desire instruction that they may enter
into the service of God; but whose pety
ought to manifest itself In subsection to
parents The early impulse TO high calling
may safely be held in check during the
years needed to prepare for that calling. 1t
is better to begin a great work at thirty,
well furnished. than at an earlier time with
half-developed powers.
Questions Answered.
Any person may mail to DIR. Gilbert. 1903
street. this city, any biblical question,
and receive an answer through The Star
49, What evidence is there that the
mother of Jesus and the mother of john the
Baptist were cousins?
Answer-Luke 1896.
A. Why were all the men of Israel re-
CURED to go up to Jerusalem at the Pass
over?
Answer The custom was in the interest
of national unity and of religion, an excel
lent method of keeping alive the memory or
their common origin and the hope of their
glorious destiny.
45. What was the chief value of the
temple incident In the boyhood of Jesus?
Answer 1t distinguished between thy
1dtner Oh mary my rather Oh jesus,
between human and a divine parentage.
46 How it is that Mary. who was aware
before the birth of Jesus of his miraculous
origin, seems to have forgotten it?
Answer 1t is not certain she had for
gotten it. His stay at home for twelve
years would put him in her care ana
thought as an ordinary child During that
time there was probably no supernatural
manifestation, without which she could not
have known the full meaning of the Angels
words.