The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1954-07-03
Jesus. Our Example and
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BY RALPH ROGERS


Our lessons for this quarter are
dealing with Growth in Christian
Living" 1t has been said that the
only sure things in life are taxes
and death. Growth is also newt.
able and whether one grows in
Christian living or in some other
sort of life, he just naturally grows,
some perhaps like Topsy. Today
we are studying Jesus, our Elk.
ample and Lord"
The Children Grew
The Scriptures give a fairly good
picture of the events surrounding
the birth of Jesus. The Gospels
are silent regarding his childhood
and early manhood except for the
pilgrimage to Jerusalem as record.
ed into today's lesson. Had there
been anything exceptional about his
early life the apostles surely
would have heard about it and re.
corded it for posterity. That
silence adds credence to the super
natural surprises and glories of his
active ministry, for tradition would
certainly spread the facts had he
said or done anything extraordi-
nary in his early life.
Some students have tried to show
that Jesus spent some time in India
and there was taught by wise men.
There is no evidence that he learn
ed from any others than those in
his own home and village. In
Stewards Life of Christ, the author
says, HE who would worthily
write the life of Christ must have
pen dipped in the imaginative
sympathy of poet, in the Pro.
phet'S fire, in the artists charm
and grace, and in the reverence
and purity of the saint"
Jesus had a most normal and
healthy physical development. All
descriptions of him indicate that
he was a perfect physical speci.
men. The hard, arduous days in
travel during his active ministry
are evidence that he was physic-
ally fit. No doubt the labor in the
carpenter shop so developed his
body as to fit it for the physical
tortures he later was forced to en-
dure, and so as a child he grew
and waxed strong.
Jesus also increased in wisdom
There is no evidence that he ever
went to school but he acquired
knowledge from some source since
he astonished the doctors when al
twelve years of age he was able
to answer their questions. 1t takes
an intelligent person to ask ques.
tons and his enquiries about the
profound things of life puzzled and
amazed those who heard. The
Jewish law imposed on parents
the responsibility of inStructing
their children in the knowledge Of
God, His mighty acts and His laws,
and also in disciplining them in re.
ligion and morality. 1t was the
home in Nazareth which put Jesus
in possession of such knowledge as
to be the envy of scholars.
Finally Luke states that the
grace of God was upon him. Here
is evidence that such home train.
ing does kindle in the heart of men
flame that burns brightly for the
highest and best in life. In his
messages and ministry there was
faith, hope, beauty and glory to his
heavenly Father.
Visit To The Temple
Palestine was a small country
any part of which could be reach
ed in few days journey. It was
rich in historical lore. The mem
cries of what had taken place ir
Jerusalem made it a most attrac
tive city. 1t must have been 8
great day in the life of any chile
permitted to accompany his par.
ents to the holy city. Jesus was
permitted to make this journey
with his parents when twelve year:
of age, a most impressionable per