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liverance from sin。 As the blood of the slain lamb sheltered the homes of Israel； so the blood of Christ was to save their souls； but they could be saved through Christ only as by faith they should make His life their own。 There was virtue in the symbolic service only as it directed the worshipers to Christ as their personal Saviour。 God desired that they should be led to prayerful study and meditation in regard to Christ's mission。 But as the multitudes left Jerusalem； the excitement of travel and social intercourse too often absorbed their attention； and the service they had witnessed was forgotten。 The Saviour was not attracted to their company。
As Joseph and Mary should return from Jerusalem alone with Jesus； He hoped to direct their minds to the prophecies of the suffering Saviour。 Upon Calvary He sought to lighten His mother's grief。 He was thinking of her now。 Mary was to witness His last agony； and Jesus desired her to understand His mission； that she might be strengthened to endure； when the sword should pierce through her soul。 As Jesus had been separated from her； and she had sought Him sorrowing three days； so when He should be offered up for the sins of the world； He would again be lost to her for three days。 And as He should come forth from the tomb； her sorrow would again be turned to joy。 But how much better
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she could have borne the anguish of His death if she had understood the Scriptures to which He was now trying to turn her thoughts！
If Joseph and Mary had stayed their minds upon God by meditation and prayer； they would have realized the sacredness of their trust； and would not have lost sight of Jesus。 By one day's neglect they lost the Saviour； but it cost them three days of anxious search to find Him。 So with us； by idle talk； evilspeaking； or neglect of prayer； we may in one day lose the Saviour's presence； and it may take many days of sorrowful search to find Him； and regain the peace that we have lost。
In our association with one another； we should take heed lest we forget Jesus； and pass along unmindful that He is not with us。 When we become absorbed in worldly things so that we have no thought for Him in whom our hope of eternal life is centered； we separate ourselves from Jesus and from the heavenly angels。 These holy beings cannot remain where the Saviour's presence is not desired； and His absence is not marked。 This is why discouragement so often exists among the professed followers of Christ。
Many attend religious services； and are refreshed and comforted by the word of God； but through neglect of meditation； watchfulness； and prayer； they lose the blessing； and find themselves more destitute than before they received it。 Often they feel that God has dealt hardly with them。 They do not see that the fault is their own。 By separating themselves from Jesus； they have shut away the light of His presence。
It would be well for us to spend a thoughtful hour each day in contemplation of the life of Christ。 We should take it point by point； and let the imagination grasp each scene； especially the closing ones。 As we thus dwell upon His great sacrifice for us； our confidence in Him will be more constant； our love will be quickened； and we shall be more deeply imbued with His spirit。 If we would be saved at last； we must learn the lesson of penitence and humiliation at the foot of the cross。
As we associate together； we may be a blessing to one another。 If we are Christ's； our sweetest thoughts will be of Him。 We shall love to talk of Him； and as we speak to one another of His love； our hearts will be softened by divine influences。 Beholding the beauty of His character； we shall be 〃changed into the same image from glory to glory。〃 2 Cor。 3：18。
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Chapter 9
Days of Conflict
From its earliest years the Jewish child was surrounded with the requirements of the rabbis。 Rigid rules were prescribed for every act； down to the smallest details of life。 Under the synagogue teachers the youth were instructed in the countless regulations which as orthodox Israelites they were expected to observe。 But Jesus did not interest Himself in these matters。 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。
As the condition of the people began to open to His mind； He saw that the requirements of society and the requirements of God were in constant collision。 Men were departing from the word of God； and exalting theories of their own invention。 They were observing traditional rites that possessed no virtue。 Their service was a mere round of ceremonies； the sacred truths it was designed to teach were hidden from the worshipers。 He saw that in their faithless services they found no peace。 They did not know the freedom of spirit that would come to them by serving God in truth。 Jesus had come to teach the meaning of the worship of God； and He could not sanction the mingling of human requirements with the divine precepts。 He did not attack the precepts or
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practices of the learned teachers； but when reproved for His own simple habits； He presented the word of God in justification of His conduct。
In every gentle and submissive way； Jesus tried to please those with whom He came in contact。 Because He was so gentle and unobtrusive； the scribes and elders supposed that He would be easily influenced by their teaching。 They urged Him to receive the maxims and traditions that had been handed down from the ancient rabbis； but He asked for their authority in Holy Writ。 He would hear every word that proceeds from the mouth of God； but He could not obey the inventions of men。 Jesus seemed to know the Scriptures from beginning to end； and He presented them in their true import。 The rabbis were ashamed to be instructed by a child。 They claimed that it was their office to explain the Scriptures； and that it was His place to accept their interpretation。 They were indignant that He should stand in opposition to their word。
They knew that no authority could be found in Scripture for their traditions。 They realized that in spiritual understanding Jesus was far in advance of them。 Yet they were angry because He did not obey their
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dictates。 Failing to convince Him； they sought Joseph and Mary； and set before them His course of noncompliance。 Thus He suffered rebuke and censure。
At a very early age； Jesus had begun to act for Himself in the formation of His character； and not even respect and love for His parents could turn Him from obedience to God's word。 〃It is written〃 was His reason for every act that varied from the family customs。 But the influence of the rabbis made His life a bitter one。 Even in His youth He had to learn the hard lesson of silence and patient endurance。
His brothers； as the sons of Joseph were called； sided with the rabbis They insisted that the traditions must be heeded； as if they were the requirements of God。 They even regarded the precepts of men more highly than the word of God； and they 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。 They were surprised at the knowledge and wisdom He showed in answering the rabbis。 They knew that He had not received instruction from the wise men； yet they could not but see that He was an instructor to them。 They recognized that His education was of a higher type than their own。 But they did not discern that He had access to the tree of life； a source of knowledge of which they were ignorant。
Christ was not exclusive； and He had given special offense to the Pharisees by departing in this respect from their rigid rules。 He found the domain of religion fenced in by high walls of seclusion； as too sacred a matter for everyday life。 These walls of partition He overthrew。 In His contact with men He did not ask； What is your creed？ To what church do you belong？ He exercised His helping power in behalf of all who needed help。 Instead of secluding Himself in a hermit's cell in order to show His heavenly character； He labored earnestly for humanity。 He inculcated the principle that Bible religion does not consist in the mortification of the body。 He taught that pure and undefiled religion is not meant only for set times and special occasions。 At all times and in all places He manifested a loving interest in men； and shed about Him the light of a cheerful piety。 All this was a rebuke to the Pharisees。 It showed that religion does not consist in selfishness； and that their morbid devotion to personal interest was far from being true godliness。 This had roused their enmity against Jesus； so that they tried to enforce His conformity to their regulations。
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Jesus worked to relieve every case of suffering that He saw。 He had little money to give； but He often denied Himself of food in order to relieve