And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast.
And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast. At the age of twelve every Jewish boy was called 'a son of the law;' being then put under a course of instruction, and trained to fasting and attendance on public worship, besides being set to learn a trade. About this age the young of both sexes have been in use to appear before the bishop for confirmation, where this rite is practiced; and at this age, in Scotland, they were regarded as examinable by the minister for the first time-so uniform has been the view of the Church, both Jewish and Christian, that about the age of twelve the mind is capable of a higher discipline than before. At this age, then, our Lord is taken up for the first time to Jerusalem, at the Passover-season, the chief of the three annual festivals. But, O, with what thoughts and feelings must this Youth have gone up! Long before He beheld it, He had doubtless "loved the habitation of God's house, and the place where His honour dwelt" (Psalms 26:8); a love nourished, we may be sure, by that "word hid in His heart," with which in after life He showed so perfect a familiarity.
As the time for His first visit approached, one's ear could have caught the breathings of His young soul. He might have heard Him whispering, "As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after Thee, O God. The Lord loveth the gates of Zion more than all the dwellings of Jacob. I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the Lord. Our feet shall stand within thy gates, O Jerusalem"! (Psalms 42:1; Psalms 87:2; Psalms 122:1-2). On catching the first view of "the city of their solemnities," and high above all in it, "the place of God's rest," we hear Him saying to Himself, "Beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole earth, is Mount Zion, on the sides of the north, the city of the great King. Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God hath shined" (Psalms 48:2; Psalms 50:2). Of His feelings or actions during all the seven days of the feast, not a word is said. As a devout Child, in company with His parents, He would go through the services, keeping His thoughts to Himself; but methinks I hear Him, after the sublime services of that feast, saying to Himself, "He brought me to the banqueting house, and His banner over me was love. I sat down under His shadow with great delight, and His fruit was sweet to my taste" (Song of Solomon 2:3-4).