The Son's Perfection

From: Three Marys
Narrator: Wilbur Smith
Duration: 2min
 •  2 min. read  •  grade level: 11
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Be this as it may, the fact is here given that Joseph and Mary took Jesus to Jerusalem when He was at the age of twelve, and it cannot be without significance that it is especially noted. What transpired at the feast is not recorded; our attention is directed rather to the circumstance that, on the return of Joseph and Mary with the caravan, Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem. (It is said that all who went up to Jerusalem for the feast from the same district traveled together for convenience and security. It is possible that an allusion to this custom is found in Psa. 84:77They go from strength to strength, every one of them in Zion appeareth before God. (Psalm 84:7).) It was but natural that they should have supposed that He was in the company, and that therefore they should have made a day’s journey without anxiety. But then, failing to find Him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance, they turned back to Jerusalem seeking Him. For three days they were anxiously and with distress of heart occupied with their search. This was undoubtedly divinely arranged, for until the “child Jesus” had done His Father’s will it could not be that He should be interrupted. At the end of this time “they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions.” Notice how the Holy Spirit, before recording the words of Mary, calls attention to the wisdom displayed by this holy child—wisdom so strikingly manifested, “that all that heard him were astonished at His understanding and answers.” How true it is that God delights to occupy us with the perfections of His beloved Son! Mary and Joseph—humble people that they were, though Joseph was the son of David (Matt. 1:1616And Jacob begat Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ. (Matthew 1:16))—were amazed at the sight, and Mary, with the impulse of a mother’s heart, at once interposed and said, “Son, why hast Thou thus dealt with us? behold, Thy father and I have sought Thee sorrowing.”