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They could not but see that their expectation in regard to the Messiah was not sustained by prophecy； but they would not renounce the theories that had flattered their ambition。 They would not admit that they had misapprehended the Scriptures they claimed to teach。 From one to another passed the inquiry； How hath this youth knowledge； having never learned？ The light was shining in darkness； but 〃the darkness apprehended it not。〃 John 1：5； R。 V。
Meanwhile Joseph and Mary were in great perplexity and distress。 In the departure from Jerusalem they had lost sight of Jesus； and they knew not that He had tarried behind。 The country was then densely populated； and the caravans from Galilee were very large。 There was much confusion as they left the city。 On the way the pleasure of traveling with friends and acquaintances absorbed their attention； and they did not notice His absence till night came on。 Then as they halted for rest； they missed the helpful hand of their child。 Supposing Him to be with their company； they had felt no anxiety。 Young as He was； they had trusted Him implicitly； expecting that when needed； He would be ready to assist them； anticipating their wants as He had always done。 But now their fears were roused。 They searched for Him throughout their company； but in vain。 Shuddering they remembered how Herod had tried to destroy Him in His infancy。 Dark forebodings filled their hearts。 They bitterly reproached themselves。
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Returning to Jerusalem； they pursued their search。 The next day； as they mingled with the worshipers in the temple； a familiar voice arrested their attention。 They could not mistake it； no other voice was like His； so serious and earnest； yet so full of melody。
In the school of the rabbis they found Jesus。 Rejoiced as they were； they could not forget their grief and anxiety。 When He was with them again； the mother said； in words that implied reproof； 〃Son； why hast Thou thus dealt with us？ Behold； Thy father and I have sought Thee sorrowing。〃
〃How is it that ye sought Me？〃 answered Jesus。 〃Wist ye not that I must be about My Father's business？〃 And as they seemed not to understand His words； He pointed upward。 On His face was a light at which they wondered。 Divinity was flashing through humanity。 On finding Him in the temple； they had listened to what was passing between Him and the rabbis； and they were astonished at His questions and answers。 His words started a train of thought that would never be forgotten。
And His question to them had a lesson。 〃Wist ye not；〃 He said； 〃that I must be about My Father's business？〃 Jesus was engaged in the work that He had come into the world to do； but Joseph and Mary had neglected theirs。 God had shown them high honor in committing to them His Son。 Holy angels had directed the course of Joseph in order to preserve the life of Jesus。 But for an entire day they had lost sight of Him whom they should not have forgotten for a moment。 And when their anxiety was relieved； they had not censured themselves； but had cast the blame upon Him。
It was natural for the parents of Jesus to look upon Him as their own child。 He was daily with them； His life in many respects was like that of other children； and it was difficult for them to realize that He was the Son of God。 They were in danger of failing to appreciate the blessing granted them in the presence of the world's Redeemer。 The grief of their separation from Him； and the gentle reproof which His words conveyed； were designed to impress them with the sacredness of their trust。
In the answer to His mother； Jesus showed for the first time that He understood His relation to God。 Before His birth the angel had said to Mary； 〃He shall be great； and shall be called the Son of the Highest： and the Lord God shall give unto Him the throne of His
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father David： and He shall reign over the house of Jacob forever。〃 Luke 1：32； 33。 These words Mary had pondered in her heart； yet while she believed that her child was to be Israel's Messiah； she did not comprehend His mission。 Now she did not understand His words； but she knew that He had disclaimed kinship to Joseph； and had declared His Sonship to God。
Jesus did not ignore His relation to His earthly parents。 From Jerusalem He returned home with them； and aided them in their life of toil。 He hid in His own heart the mystery of His mission； waiting submissively for the appointed time for Him to enter upon His work。 For eighteen years after He had recognized that He was the Son of God； He acknowledged the tie that bound Him to the home at Nazareth； and performed the duties of a son； a brother； a friend； and a citizen。
As His mission had opened to Jesus in the temple； He shrank from contact with the multitude。 He wished to return from Jerusalem in quietness； with those who knew the secret of His life。 By the paschal service； God was seeking to call His people away from their worldly cares； and to remind them of His wonderful work in their deliverance from Egypt。 In this work He desired them to see a promise of deliverance from sin。 As the blood of the slain lamb sheltered the homes of Israel； so the blood of Christ was to save their souls； but they could be saved through Christ only as by faith they should make His life their own。 There was virtue in the symbolic service only as it directed the worshipers to Christ as their personal Saviour。 God desired that they should be led to prayerful study and meditation in regard to Christ's mission。 But as the multitudes left Jerusalem； the excitement of travel and social intercourse too often absorbed their attention； and the service they had witnessed was forgotten。 The Saviour was not attracted to their company。
As Joseph and Mary should return from Jerusalem alone with Jesus； He hoped to direct their minds to the prophecies of the suffering Saviour。 Upon Calvary He sought to lighten His mother's grief。 He was thinking of her now。 Mary was to witness His last agony； and Jesus desired her to understand His mission； that she might be strengthened to endure； when the sword should pierce through her soul。 As Jesus had been separated from her； and she had sought Him sorrowing three days； so when He should be offered up for the sins of the world； He would again be lost to her for three days。 And as He should come forth from the tomb； her sorrow would again be turned to joy。 But how much better
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she could have borne the anguish of His death if she had understood the Scriptures to which He was now trying to turn her thoughts！
If Joseph and Mary had stayed their minds upon God by meditation and prayer； they would have realized the sacredness of their trust； and would not have lost sight of Jesus。 By one day's neglect they lost the Saviour； but it cost them three days of anxious search to find Him。 So with us； by idle talk； evilspeaking； or neglect of prayer； we may in one day lose the Saviour's presence； and it may take many days of sorrowful search to find Him； and regain the peace that we have lost。
In our association with one another； we should take heed l