Sabbath, January 31, 2009

“The Saviour’s early years are more than an example to the youth. They are a lesson, and should be an encouragement, to every parent. The circle of family and neighborhood duties is the very first field of effort for those who would work for the uplifting of their fellow men. There is no more important field of effort than that committed to the founders and guardians of the home. No work entrusted to human beings involves greater or more far-reaching results than does the work of fathers and mothers.” –The Ministry of Healing, pp. 350, 351.

HIS EARLY YEARS

1.   What wonderful record is given about the growth of Jesus as a child? How has our own or our children’s development been similar to that of the Saviour?
Luke 2:39, 40
And when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city Nazareth.  And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.

“During all these secluded years His life flowed out in currents of sympa­thy and helpfulness. His unselfishness and patient endurance, His courage and faithfulness, His resistance of temptation, His unfailing peace and quiet joyfulness, were a constant inspiration. He brought a pure, sweet atmosphere into the home, and His life was as leaven working amidst the elements of society. None said that He had wrought a miracle; yet virtue–the healing, life-giving power of love–went out from Him to the tempted, the sick, and the disheartened. In an unobtrusive way, from His very childhood, He ministered to others, and because of this, when He began His public ministry, many heard Him gladly.” –The Ministry of Healing, p. 350.

2.   What special efforts did Jesus and His parents put forth to attend the spiritual feasts? What similar experiences do we and our families make?
Luke 2:41, 42
Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the passover. And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast.

“Among the Jews the twelfth year was the dividing line between child­hood and youth. On completing this year a Hebrew boy was called a son of the law, and also a son of God. He was given special opportunities for religious instruction, and was expected to participate in the sacred feasts and obser­vances. It was in accordance with this custom that Jesus in His boyhood made the Passover visit to Jerusalem. Like all devout Israelites, Joseph and Mary went up every year to attend the Passover; and when Jesus had reached the required age, they took Him with them.” –The Desire of Ages, p. 75.

VISIT TO THE TEMPLE

3.   What company did Jesus seek? What did His discussions with the doctors of the law reveal? What was special about the interests of this 12-year-old boy?
Luke 2:43-47
And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it. But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day’s journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance.  And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him. And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions. And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers.

“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.
“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.” –The Desire of Ages, p. 78.

4.   What did His response to His parents’ questions show?
Luke 2:48-50
And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing. And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father’s business? And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them.

“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.” –The Desire of Ages, p. 78.
“His first visit to the temple had awakened new impulses. All earthly obli­gations were, for the time, lost sight of; but with the knowledge of His divine mission, and of His union with God, He did not resist the authority of His par­ents. At their request He returned with them as a faithful, obedient son, and aided them in their life of toil. He buried in His own heart the secret of His future mission, waiting submissively until the period of His public ministry should commence before announcing to the world that He was the Messiah.” –Sons and Daughters of God, p. 129.

JESUS’ ATTITUDE TOWARD HIS PARENTS

5.   How would you compare Jesus’ relationship with His earthly parents to such relationships in Christian society today?
Luke 2:51
And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart.

“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.” –The Desire of Ages, p. 82.

6.   What noble testimony is recorded in the Scriptures about Jesus’ youth, the most critical years of a human being?

Luke 2:52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.
“The importance and the opportunities of the home life are illustrated in the life of Jesus. He who came from heaven to be our example and teacher spent thirty years as a member of the household at Nazareth. Concerning these years the Bible record is very brief. No mighty miracles attracted the attention of the multitude. No eager throngs followed His steps or listened to His words. Yet during all these years He was fulfilling His divine mission. He lived as one of us, sharing the home life, submitting to its discipline, perform­ing its duties, bearing its burdens. In the sheltering care of a humble home, participating in the experiences of our common lot, He ‘increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.’ Luke 2:52.” –The Ministry of Healing, p. 349.

“… At each stage of His development He was perfect, with the simple, nat­ural grace of a sinless life. The Sacred Record says of His childhood, ‘The child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.’ And of His youth it is recorded, ‘Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.’ Luke 2:40, 52.” –Child Guidance, p. 204.

7.   Of whom do the Scriptures give a similar testimony? What counsel had the Lord already provided in the past so young people would progress and grow and have the favor of God and their fellow men?
1 Samuel 2:26
And the child Samuel grew on, and was in favour both with the LORD, and also with men.
Luke 1:13, 80
But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John… And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his shewing unto Israel.
Proverbs 3:1-4
My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments: For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee. Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart: So shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man.

“Let Jesus take possession of your mind, your heart, and your affections; and work as Christ worked, doing conscientiously the home duties, little acts of self-denial and deeds of kindness, employing the moments diligently, keep­ing a careful watch against little sins and a grateful heart for little blessings, and you will have at last such a testimony for yourself as was given of John and Samuel, and especially of Christ: ‘And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.’” –The Adventist Home, p. 297.

FOR MEDITATION

“It is by the youth and children of today that the future of society is to be determined, and what these youth and children shall be depends upon the home. To the lack of right home training may be traced the larger share of the disease and misery and crime that curse humanity. If the home life were pure and true, if the children who went forth from its care were prepared to meet life’s responsibilities and dangers, what a change would be seen in the world!” –The Ministry of Healing, p. 351.