Luke 2:43 And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem… We notice in the Child Jesus — 1. A holy disposition. It was this which led His mother to bring Him with her to the Temple, and which led Him to tarry there after His mother had gone away. A holy disposition is the source and fountain of all goodness: the soft wax out of which is moulded the image of love, purity, obedience (James 3:17). 2. A love for God's house. He loved the Temple far better than the forum or market-place. He willingly remained in the house of His heavenly Father — the attribute of a good Son. 3. A desire for holy conversation. He was found not playing with other boys; not engaged in idle sports: but conversing with the old men in the Temple; listening to words of soberness, truth, and wisdom. 4. A deep sense of spiritual relationship. Loving and obedient as He was to His earthly parents, yet He placed His spiritual Father before them. As says , He loved the Creator before the generator. 5. A loving reverence towards His parents. He was subject to them. Who? To whom? God to man. Humility seen in its highest power. CONCLUSION: The child is ever the father of the man. Let us take care to form and fashion the child-minds committed to our keeping after this glorious and pure model. ( William of Auvergne.) Parallel Verses KJV: 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. |
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