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K i n g ’ s B u s i n e s s
December 1930
III. Jesus in the Temple (46-50). V. 46. Found him in the temple. The expression “after three days” probably means “on the third day.” At last they discovered Him in the temple, probably in one of the chambers adjoining the court. In the midst o f the teachers. He was seated at the feet of the learned rab bis. He listened as they explained the re quirements of the ceremonial law. Per haps He also listened to disputes between the Pharisees and Sadducees, or to the Herodians as they discussed political questions. He listened quietly and mod estly, and the questions that He asked pro voked no unpleasant feeling against Him self on the Part of the teachers. The apocryphal gospels picture this scene in a wholly different manner, making Him ap pear almost boisterous and ill-behaved. V. 47. Amazed at his undertanding. Even at this early time, Jesus must have noted how superficial were these teachers of the law and in what legal bondage they placed their hearers. He had come in order to be an interpreter of the law in a wholly different and a spiritual sense (cf. Matt. 5:20). . V. 48. They were astonished. The word translated “astonished” is an even stronger word than that which reads “amazed” in verse 47. Joseph and Mary had become accustomed to the quiet, retir ing modesty of the Son in the home. They could not understand His boldness in the presence o f the learned doctors. Thus dealt with us. A gentle reproof from the grieved mother’s lips, while in her heart she must have had a deep sense of sat isfaction and a' proper admiration for her Son. V. 49. How is it that ye sought me? Jesus was surprised that He was so little understood. My Fathers house. An al ternative reading is “my Father’s busi ness” or “those things that be o f my Father.” Note that Mary had said: “ Thy father (referring to Joseph).” Jesus dis claims Joseph as His father, except in an accommodated sense, and wonders that His parents did not know* His relation to His Father in heaven (cf. Psa. 40:7-9; John 4:34). It is noticeable that Christ did not include Himself with His disciples in the prayer He taught them, which be gins ; “Our Father.” He clearly dis- tinguised between His own and His dis ciples’ relation to God (cf. John 20:17). V. 50. They understood not. The same words may be used to describe the condi tion o f His disciples throughout most of His public ministry (cf. 9:45; 18:34; Mk. 9:32; John 1:10, 11; 10:6). IV. Jesus in the Home (51, 52). V. 51. Came to Nazareth. Though He longed to remain in His Father’s house, He willingly accepted a position of sub jection in His own home. Nazareth was a suitable place, humanly speaking, for His further training. Its isolation, its natural beauty, and the quiet it afforded gave opportunity'for study, of nature and o f the Scriptures: Kept all these sayings. IShe pondered !all!she had heard: and' sebn. Though she was slow to grasp their meaning, it appears that when He began His mighty works at Cana of Galilee she really understood Him enough to expect Him to meet the need by a miracle. V. 52. Advanced in wisdom and stat ure. This is practically a repetition of what is said in verse 40 of His physical,
He has. But, if we want to find out what work He has for us to do, we have to ask Him to tell us; and then we cannot do His work well unless we take time to prepare ourselves for doing it.
A Sunday-School Help I find the magazine a great help, especially in Sunday-school work. I would not want to be without it. —Froht Portland, Oregon.
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JLipa
anuary 11, 1931 The Childhood of Jesus Lesson : Luke 2. ( Lesson Text: Luke 2:40-52.)
Golden T ex t : “Jesus advanced in wis dom and stature and in favor with God and men” (Lk. 2:52). * * * L e s s o n i n O u t l in e I. The Growth o f Jesus (40). 1. Physical and mental development. 2. “ Grace o f God was upon him.” II. Jesus at the Passover (41-45). 1. An annual memorial feast (41). 2. A special occasion—at age ' of twelve, He became “a Son o f the ■ law” (42). 3. “Tarrying behind” at Jerusalem (43-45). III. Jesus in the Temple (46-50). 1. Among the teachers—inquiring; answering questions (46). 2. Astonishing the teachers (47, 48). 3. Perplexing His parents (48). , 4. Astonished by His parents’ fail ure to understand (49, 50). IV. Jesus in the Home (51, 52), 1. Subjection to His parents (51). 2. Advance “in wisdom and stature” (52). | ; , } 3. Advance “in favor with God and men” (52). * * * A p p r o a c h to t h e L e s s o n T H E incidents connected with the birth of Jesus were studied three weeks ago. It is therefore unnecessary to repeat the details of the familiar story. The facts concerning the “hidden years” at Nazareth have not been disclosed, except as the 'visit to the temple throws little light upon the period. The Holy Spirit, who inspired the” writers of the New Testa ment, wisely omitted that which idle cur iosity would desire to know. It is sufficient for the Christian to be assured that Jesus Christ is God incarnate, born of the vir gin, and made our Redeemer and Saviour. * * * H e a r t o f t h e L e sso n I. The Growth o f Jesus (40). lfPaxed strong, filled with wisdom. The whole description is that of natural human growth: physical, mental,and spir itual, It is impossible to understand the
and man. It is therefore perfectly prop er to think of the development of Jesus is His youth as “perfectly man” while not forgetting His deity. The grace of God was upon him. He was “ full of grace and truth” (cf. John 1:14; Isa. 11: 2, 3).\ It is noticeable that there is no suggestion that He wrought any miracles during this period of His life. The many legends found in the apocryphal gospels are pure inventions and are wholly worth less. Some ope has remarked that “His doing nothing wonderful was itself a kind of wonder.” II. Jesus at the Passover (41-45). V. 41. Thè feast o f the passover. This was the great annual memorial of the es cape of the Jews' from their bondage in Egypt. It began on the evening of the fourteenth day o f the month Nisan and lasted for a week. The men of Israel were required to attend. The Jews rec ommended, though they did not require, the attendance of women. Mary’s pres ence was an evidence of her piety. V. 42. Twelve years old. At the age o f twelve, a Jewish boy became a “son of the law,” and was required to keep the ordinances and commandments of God as interpreted by the rabbis. Like other boys of his time, Jesus entered into this relation to the law. V, 43. Fulfilled the days. That is, the seven days o f the feast (cf. Ex. 12:15). Attendance the full time was not neces sarily demanded, but Joseph and Mary, being devout worshipers, did their com plete duty. The boy Jesus. Inverse 40 the diminutive form of the Greek word is used, meaning “little boy” or “little child.” In verse 43 the different form means simply “a boy” or “a youth.” Luke has carefully told something about the Lord Jesus at every period of His earth ly life. Jesus tarried behind. If Josephus is correct in saying that as many as three million sometimes attended the passover, one can understand how easy it would be for a young boy to be lost in the multi tude. It should not be forgotten that the oriental boy of twelve is more mature than the lad of the same age in western na tions and is also allowed greater liberty. As for Jesus, it is evident that He was trusted by Joseph and Mary. They had never had reason to be concerned about Him. V. 44. Sought ' for him. The verb im plies a continued and anxious search. The distance traveled on this day’s jour ney may not hav,e been tnoréj than six or eight miles. V. 45. When they found him not. This .language infers that they did not im mediately go to the temple. His question (cf. v. 49) points to the same conclusion. The anxiety of Mary was natural. She must not be blamed too severely for her failure to understand Jesus.
nature of the “hy postatic union” ; that is, of the union of the divine and human natures in Jesus. Students of church history are familiar with the four great heresies of the ear
ly Christian centuries which threatened to foist upon the church perverted views o f the person of Christ. There resulted from this prolonged discussion the firm conviction oforthodox Christians that Jesus Christ was truly God; perfectly man; indivisibly God-man; distinctly God
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