That is a very good picture. The boy, standing before that old man, is our Saviour. He is only twelve years old. At this age every Jewish boy was permitted to take part in the great festivals at Jerusalem. At thirteen he was admitted to the full privileges of the Jewish Religion, and was therefore called "a Son of the Law." Up to this time the parents taught him the Scriptures. Many Scripture passages he had to commit to memory; many out of the Law, and whole psalms. And he was carefully taught their meaning.

Three times a year the Jews had to appear before God at the great feasts at Jerusalem. This time Joseph and Mary take Jesus along with them. The distance from Nazareth to Jerusalem is about seventy miles. This was a long way to travel in order to meet and worship with God's people. The journey would take them about three days. Perhaps Mary rode on an ass, but Joseph and Jesus must have travelled a-foot. Boy as he was, our Saviour had picked up a stick somewhere, which he uses as a walking-cane. On such a long journey this will relieve his travelling somewhat.

They do not travel alone. A long string of their acquaintances in Nazareth, and Jewish people from neighboring villages, join their travelling party. They must have hundreds of people in their company; some walking, others riding on asses and camels. This makes a long company or caravan. At night they all lodge near together on the ground, under the open heavens. They sing and pray together, as they journey onward. In the morning they very likely sing the fifth psalm. In such a crowd a smart and good boy of twelve years old, would find much to interest and amuse him.

When they reach Jerusalem, they find a great multitude of people. The streets are packed with strangers, from all parts of the world. In and around the temple there is scarcely standing-room for all. How the active mind and imagination of a youth would be excited at the sight of such a city full of people; and that city Jerusalem, the city of the great King, "whither the tribes go up, the tribes of the Lord unto the testimony of Israel.”

But there is nothing that so solemnly and sadly impresses Jesus as the services and sacrifices of the temple. He presses through the crowd; at first timidly, perhaps, holding fast to the hand of Joseph. On his ear falls the lowing of oxen, and the bleating of sheep, in the neighboring sheep market. Then he watches them dragging the poor sheep out to slaughter and sacrifice. Not a sound of complaint do they then utter. How can the youth help but think of another One led to the sacrifice, who "is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he opened not his mouth." Isaiah 53: 7. For all this chapter he had long since learned by heart. He sees the red blood shed and flowing, sprinkled on the altar. Does this boy know that this sacrificing of oxen and sheep means that his is to be thus “bruised?” And thus to shed His blood for the remission of sin? No one among those thousands of Israel, not even Mary, understood the sadness of this divine lad, looking at the sacrificial bruisings and blood. Very likely the Scriptures which he but dimly understood heretofore, now seem much plainer and truthfuler. But how strange that they should somehow point to him for their fulfillment.

For eight days Joseph and Mary had tarried at Jerusalem. Part of this time Jesus mingled with their kinsfolk, or relatives and acquaintances. And when they started for home they missed him, but took it for granted that he was with their friends, who were a little in advance of them. When they encamped the first evening on their homeward way, he could not be found. The next day they returned to Jerusalem in great trouble, seeking him. The third day "they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them and asking them questions." For by this time the most of the people have left for home. The crowd was not so great, so that there is a chance to learn something from these old men, who are learned in the Law. For there must be something weighing on the boy's mind. He has seen things here that he can perhaps not fully understand yet. O, the sorrowful import of these streams of blood! Of these many sacrifices, to this Messianic lad. He knows much, is wise beyond his years, wiser than his teachers, but he must know more. See him standing, with staff in hand, before the old scribe or teacher. Some things he cannot understand yet. He pleads for light. Like all pious

Jewish youths, he stands up before the hoary head. See how intensely the three men of learning listen to him. The old doctor, with a long gray beard, and the book or scroll of the Scriptures lying open upon his lap. Evidently the lad is asking a question that he finds hard to answer, for he is engaged in deep and solemn thought. And the turbaned scribe at his side, points him to a certain passage in the book; and the third one, with his bald head and piercing eye, see with what wrapt attention he tries to catch every word the boy-prophet utters. And the four men back of him-seven in all-wonder-struck with the wisdom of a boy who spake as never boy spake.

How very boy-like he looks. Dressed as good boys in the East still dress. His hair hanging loosely in neat and unkempt locks over his large head. He seems to forget that he is speaking to old and learned men, so entirely is he taken up with the questions he asks and answers. His bare arm and neat hand pointing heavenward, with a graceful and unstudied gesture. "All that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers."

Right amid this group of doctors, as we see him in the picture, Joseph and Mary, after three days of fruitless searching, find our Saviour. Mary must gently chide him, for this tarrying in the temple had caused her great anxiety and pain. He was in the path of duty. He must learn more of the truth, as all young people should be willing to do. God so loved the world that He sent His only begotten Son to redeem it. And now he must attend to the work assigned him. "Wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business?" Yet he goes home with them to Nazareth, and is subject unto them, even though he is wiser than they.

O, that the young would more generally learn to imitate the pious example of the youthful Jesus; would by faith, obedience and love, become partakers of Him and His benefits forever!

"Jesus, let me seek for naught,

But that Thou shouldst dwell in me;

Let this only fill my thought,

How I may grow like to Thee,

Through this earthly care and strife,
Through the calm eternal life."

What a scene does this world exhibit to any spiritual being, who from his own elevation sees the globe go once around. It should. quicken our efforts to secure for ourselves a refuge there, where sorrow and sighing and guilt and pain shall flee away, and the reign of love be complete and eternal!