Counseling Sheet

Joseph and Mary went up every year to Jerusalem to attend the Passover; and when Jesus had reached the required age of 12, they took Him with them. All the ceremonies of the feast were types of the work of Christ. Deliverance of Israel from Egypt was an object lesson of redemption, which the Passover was intended to keep in memory. The slain lamb, the unleavened bread, the sheaf of first-fruits, represented the Saviour. For the first time the child Jesus looked upon the temple. Silent and absorbed, He seemed to be studying out a great problem.

Joseph and Mary hoped that Jesus might be led to reverence the learned Rabbis, and give more diligent heed to their requirements. But Jesus in the temple had been taught by God. That which He had received, He began at once to impart. At that day an apartment connected with the temple was devoted to a sacred school after the manner of the schools of the prophets. Hither the child Jesus came. He presented Himself as one thirsting for a knowledge of God, His questions were suggestive of deep truths which had long been obscured, yet which were vital to the salvation of souls. With the humility of a child He repeated the words of Scripture, giving them a depth of meaning that the wise men had not conceived of.

The Rabbis desired to gain Jesus as a student, that He might become a teacher in Israel. They wanted to have charge of His education, feeling that a mind so original must be brought under their molding. They could not but see that their expectation in regard to the Messiah was not sustained by prophecy; but they would not renounce the theories that had flattered their ambition.

In His earliest years, Jesus did not interest Himself in the countless regulations the orthodox Israelites were expected to observe. From childhood He acted independently of the Rabbinical laws, The Scriptures of the Old Testament were His constant study, and the words, "Thus saith the Lord," were ever upon His lips. He did not attack the precepts or practices of the learned teachers; but when reproved for His own simple habits, He presented the Word of God in justification of His conduct. "It is written" was His reason for every act that varied from the family customs. He had to learn the hard lesson of silence and patient endurance. The sons of Joseph were greatly annoyed at the clear penetration of Jesus in distinguishing between the false and the true. His strict obedience to the law of God they condemned as stubbornness.

Jesus was not exclusive. Instead of secluding Himself in a hermit's cell in order to show His heavenly character, He labored earnestly for humanity. In His contact with men, at all times and in all places He manifested a loving interest in men, and shed about Him the light of a cheerful piety. When His brothers spoke harshly to poor, degraded beings, Jesus sought out these very ones, and spoke to them words of encouragement. All this displeased His brothers and they threatened and tried to intimidate Him. He hated but one thing in the world, and that was sin. He could not witness a wrong act without pain which it was impossible to disguise. Because the life of Jesus condemned evil, He was opposed both at home and abroad. His unselfishness and integrity were commented on with a sneer. His forbearance and kindness were termed cowardice. He had to meet their scornful looks and evil whisperings. But to every temptation He had one answer, "It is written." He rarely rebuked any wrong doing of His brothers. Refusing to unite with them in some forbidden act; but His answer was, "It is written," "The fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding." Job 8:28

(Excerpts drawn from the Desire of Ages, by E. G. White)