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e journey from Galilee occupied several days； and the travelers united in large companies for companionship and protection。 The women and aged men rode upon oxen or asses over the steep
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and rocky roads。 The stronger men and the youth journeyed on foot。 The time of the Passover corresponded to the close of March or the beginning of April； and the whole land was bright with flowers； and glad with the song of birds。 All along the way were spots memorable in the history of Israel； and fathers and mothers recounted to their children the wonders that God had wrought for His people in ages past。 They beguiled their journey with song and music； and when at last the towers of Jerusalem came into view； every voice joined in the triumphant strain；
〃Our feet shall stand Within thy gates； O Jerusalem。 。 。 。 Peace be within thy walls； And prosperity within thy palaces。〃 Ps。 122： 2…7。
The observance of the Passover began with the birth of the Hebrew nation。 On the last night of their bondage in Egypt； when there appeared
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no token of deliverance； God commanded them to prepare for an immediate release。 He had warned Pharaoh of the final judgment on the Egyptians； and He directed the Hebrews to gather their families within their own dwellings。 Having sprinkled the doorposts with the blood of the slain lamb； they were to eat the lamb； roasted； with unleavened bread and bitter herbs。 〃And thus shall ye eat it；〃 He said； 〃with your loins girded； your shoes on your feet； and your staff in your hand； and ye shall eat it in haste： it is the Lord's passover。〃 Ex。 12：11。 At midnight all the first…born of the Egyptians were slain。 Then the king sent to Israel the message； 〃Rise up； and get you forth from among my people； 。 。 。 and go； serve the Lord； as ye have said。〃 Ex。 12：31。 The Hebrews went out from Egypt an independent nation。 The Lord had commanded that the Passover should be yearly kept。 〃It shall come to pass；〃 He said； 〃when your children shall say unto you； What mean ye by this service？ that ye shall say； It is the sacrifice of the Lord's passover； who passed over the houses of the children of Israel in Egypt； when He smote the Egyptians。〃 Thus from generation to generation the story of this wonderful deliverance was to be repeated。
The Passover was followed by the seven days' feast of unleavened bread。 On the second day of the feast； the first fruits of the year's harvest； a sheaf of barley； was presented before the Lord。 All the ceremonies of the feast were types of the work of Christ。 The deliverance of Israel from Egypt was an object lesson of redemption； which the Passover was intended to keep in memory。 The slain lamb； the unleavened bread； the sheaf of first fruits； represented the Saviour。
With most of the people in the days of Christ； the observance of this feast had degenerated into formalism。 But what was its significance to the Son of God！
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For the first time the child Jesus looked upon the temple。 He saw the white…robed priests performing their solemn ministry。 He beheld the bleeding victim upon the altar of sacrifice。 With the worshipers He bowed in prayer； while the cloud of incense ascended before God。 He witnessed the impressive rites of the paschal service。 Day by day He saw their meaning more clearly。 Every act seemed to be bound up with His own life。 New impulses were awakening within Him。 Silent and absorbed； He seemed to be studying out a great problem。 The mystery of His mission was opening to the Saviour。
Rapt in the contemplation of these scenes； He did not remain beside His parents。 He sought to be alone。 When the paschal services were ended； He still lingered in the temple courts； and when the worshipers departed from Jerusalem； He was left behind。
In this visit to Jerusalem； the parents of Jesus wished to bring Him in connection with the great teachers in Israel。 While He was obedient in every particular to the word of God； He did not conform to the rabbinical rites and usages。 Joseph and Mary hoped that He might be led to reverence the learned rabbis； and give more diligent heed to their requirements。 But Jesus in the temple had been taught by God。 That which He had received； He began at once to impart。
At that day an apartment connected with the temple was devoted to a sacred school； after the manner of the schools of the prophets。 Here leading rabbis with their pupils assembled； and hither the child Jesus came。 Seating Himself at the feet of these grave； learned men； He listened to their instruction。 As one seeking for wisdom； He questioned these teachers in regard to the prophecies； and to events then taking place that pointed to the advent of the Messiah。
Jesus presented Himself as one thirsting for a knowledge of God。 His questions were suggestive of deep truths which had long been obscured； yet which were vital to the salvation of souls。 While showing how narrow and superficial was the wisdom of the wise men； every question put before them a divine lesson； and placed truth in a new aspect。 The rabbis spoke of the wonderful elevation which the Messiah's coming would bring to the Jewish nation； but Jesus presented the prophecy of Isaiah； and asked them the meaning of those scriptures that point to the suffering and death of the Lamb of God。
The doctors turned upon Him with questions； and they were amazed at His answers。 With the humility of a child He repeated the words of
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Scripture； giving them a depth of meaning that the wise men had not conceived of。 If followed； the lines of truth He pointed out would have worked a reformation in the religion of the day。 A deep interest in spiritual things would have been awakened； and when Jesus began His ministry； many would have been prepared to receive Him。
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The rabbis knew that Jesus had not been instructed in their schools； yet His understanding of the prophecies far exceeded theirs。 In this thoughtful Galilean boy they discerned great promise。 They desired to gain Him as a student； that He might become a teacher in Israel。 They wanted to have charge of His education； feeling that a mind so original must be brought under their molding。
The words of Jesus had moved their hearts as they had never before been moved by words from human lips。 God was seeking to give light to those leaders in Israel； and He used the only means by which they could be reached。 In their pride they would have scorned to admit that they could receive instruction from anyone。 If Jesus had appeared to be trying to teach them； they would have disdained to listen。 But they flattered themselves that they were teaching Him； or at least testing His knowledge of the Scriptures。 The youthful modesty and grace of Jesus disarmed their prejudices。 Unconsciously their minds were opened to the word of God； and the Holy Spirit spoke to their hearts。
They could not but see that their expectation in regard to the Messiah was not sustained by prophecy； but they would not renounce the theo