The Lost One Found

‎While Jesus thus debated in the Temple, Mary and Joseph had started back toward Nazareth. They were not made anxious by the absence of the active but always obedient youth; for, as there was quite a caravan of the religious travellers, the parents supposed the boy to be walking with some of their friends, or running on ahead with other lads. Only when night came and he did not seek the shelter of their fire, did the maternal heart of Mary throb in alarm. Search was at once made throughout the caravan. Then the parents, their peaceful life suddenly shattered with fear, hastened back to Jerusalem, searching everywhere.

‎They found the lad at last among the rabbis of the Temple; and Mary, even while embracing him, rebuked him gently for this first deliberate pang he had ever given her: “Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing.” The answer shows the awakened consciousness of Godhood, the pitying knowledge that even filial duty must thereafter be subordinate to His labors for the universe. “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.”