SECTION. V.

THE HUMAN DEVELOPMENT OF JESUS.

(Luke ii. 41-52.)

As Jesus was ordained to unfold the divine nature in the form of the purest humanity, it was needful that His divine-human consciousness should develop itself in a truly human manner. Of the truth and beauty of this development, the history of the event which occurred when He was twelve years of age gives us a glimpse.

His parents dwell still at Nazareth. As pious Israelites, they take part in the festive pilgrimages to Jerusalem. When Jesus was twelve years old, they take Him also with them to the feast, according to Israelitish custom. On their return, however, to Galilee, the holy youth remains behind in Jerusalem. The festive pilgrims journeyed in distinct processions. Jesus is drawn beyond the attractive sphere of such a company, by a more powerful attraction to the temple. This is the ascendency of the spirit above outward ordinances. His parents suppose Him to be in the company, and thus they accomplish a day's journey. They seek Him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance, but in vain. On the second day they return to Jerusalem to seek for Him. On the third day they seek Him there. After the lapse of the three days, they at length find Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, hearing them, and asking them questions. And they find that all who listen to Him are astonished at His understanding and answers. When they thus found Him, they were amazed; but His mother said to Him, 'Son, why hast Thou thus dealt with us? Thy father and I have sought Thee sorrowing.*

The answer of Jesus was as follows: 'How is it that ye sought Me? wist ye not that I must be about My Father's business?'

That is His consciousness. God is His proper Father, in the essential sense of the word, in contrast to the paternal relationship of Joseph in a civil sense, to which Mary points. Therefore is the house of the Father — the temple — His dearest residence, and converse regarding the will of the Father, according to His word, His most grateful occupation.

This conception of His relation to the Father does not fill Him as yet in the form of a perfected consciousness, but as a lofty presentiment, whose undefined and dark outline stands forth unmistakably, and with incomparable beauty, in the form of His expression. In the life He had in the things of His Father, He could altogether forget both time and place.

However, there is needed only a single hint from His parents, and He returns with them to Nazareth, and is subject unto them. Thus in obscurity He increases in wisdom and years, and in favour with God and man.

The scribes and priests in the temple, however, allow the holy child once more to take His departure without forming any anticipation of the glory and significance of His inward life; although, this time, they themselves were compelled to wonder at His understanding and His answers.

But His mother kept the words, in which the centre of His glorious development had made itself known, faithfully treasured up in her heart.

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