Evening star., 1929-11-30
Sunday School Lesson
Rev. Hugh T. Stevenson.

trip, which was probably His first
journey beyond zaareth. covered terri
tory full of sacred history, and no
doubt, Jesus asked many questions upon
the way. No one can read the story OF
those days without seeing that evil
IDENTIFY Jesus had been encouraged to
ask questions concerning the religious
problems, that, without doubt, had fire.
quently been made the subject of con-
versation in the Nazareth home. His
attendance at the passover feast gave
Him the opportunity to ask the teach
erS of theology questions that the men,
bers of the Nazareth household had
not been able to answer. The great
theological schools of Jerusalem were
held in connection with the temple
During the great religious feasts the
visiting youths were always welcomed
to the classes. 1t was customary and
expected that the scholars would ask
questions, which Jesus did. He sur
passed the youths of His day in His
mastery and knowledge of the Scrip
lures to such an extent that the doctors
of the law "were aStonished at His
understanding and answers" The alb
sorbing interest of the youth in the
things of the temple and religious
discussion caused Him to tarry in the
temple when the family started back.
They took it for granted without in
vestigation that He was with them.
When His absence was discovered it
took them three days to find Him, be-
cause they did not seek Him in the
temple. They. had underrated, as we
are apt. to do, the possibilities of chill
dren for religious thought and life.
The Silent Years.
In His answer to His mother, the
Lord Jesus revealed the central theme
of His ministry. Although He returned
to Nazareth and became subject to
Joseph and Mary, the 18 years that
a large part in the Masters life. Joseph,
whose name does not appear again in
connection with the Masters life, fol-
lowed the Jewish practice of teach
ing trade to their children. He took
Jesus into the carpenter shop and
taugh Him to be a builder. While
toiling at the carpenters bench Jesus
learned much of the outside world from
the visitors who visited it, seeking the
service Of Joseph, who, according to
tradition, died shortly after this time
and Of the Lord Jesus, whose reputa-
ton as q skilled master workman gave
Him a local fame. 1t was during this
period that He thought through His
messages that later were to be burned
into the hearts of men.
In some manner, perhaps by copying
the Old Testament, He obtained a COM
plete mastery of the ancient Scriptures.
When the hour came for Him to leave
the shop and enter upon His public
ministry Jesus had such a thorough
knowledge of the 80 volumes that He
quoted from at least % of them in His
contests with His foes and in His con-
versationS with His friends. He
mastered Satan by His use of the Old
Testament. He probably formed at this
period His method of prayer that caused
Him to seek the secret places upon the
lofty heights, where He could spend
the night In communion with His
Father. While developing physical
strength at His trade Jesus enlarged
His mental and spiritual life, so that
He was ready to enter upon His life
work when the urge of the Holy Spirit
caused Him to leave Nazareth and take
up His public ministry. What the
Nazareth home was for the Lord the
Christian home should be for the chill
dren within the home circle today. It
should stimulate the love Of Gods word
and encourage the physical. mental and
spiritual development of our faculties
through labor, study and prayer. This
will result In the honoring of father
and mother and fitting the children to
enter heartily into Gods service.