Bible Readings for the Home Circle Part 38

16. By what means did Herod seek to destroy Christ?

"Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and _slew all the children that were in Bethlehem_, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under." Matt. 2:16.

17. After Herod's death, where did Joseph and his family live?

"_And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth_: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene." Verse 23.

18. What is said of Christ's childhood and early life?

"And the child _grew_, and _waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom_: and _the grace of G.o.d was upon Him_.... And He went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and _was subject unto them_." Luke 2:40-51.

19. Upon returning from a feast at Jerusalem, how came Joseph and Mary to lose Jesus when He was twelve years old?

"But _they, supposing Him to have been in the company_, went a day's journey; and they sought Him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance. And when they found Him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking Him." Verses 44, 45.

NOTE.-This is how many lose Jesus today. They suppose He is in their _company_, but do not see to it that He is with them _personally_. Through carelessness it takes but a day to lose Him; but, when once lost, it sometimes takes days of sorrowful searching, as it did Joseph and Mary, to find Him again.

20. What was Jesus doing when they found Him?

"And it came to pa.s.s, that after three days they found Him in the temple, _sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions_." Verse 46.

21. How did His questions and answers impress those who heard Him?

"And all that heard Him _were astonished at His understanding and answers_." Verse 47.

22. With what words do the Scriptures conclude the record of Christ's early life?

"And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with G.o.d and man." Verse 52.

NOTE.-Christ's early life is a pattern for all children and youth.

It was marked by respect and love for His mother. He was obedient to His parents, and kind to all. He hated sin, and to every temptation turned a deaf ear. He sought to understand the reason of things, and so increased in knowledge and wisdom. He was sympathetic and tender-hearted, and ever ready to relieve the oppressed, the sorrowing, and the suffering. If we love Christ, we shall love to talk of Him; our sweetest thoughts will be of Him; and by beholding Him we shall be changed into the same image. See note on page 98.

All praise to Thee, eternal Lord, Clothed in a garb of flesh and blood; Choosing a manger for Thy throne, While worlds on worlds are Thine alone!

Once did the skies before Thee bow; A virgin's arms contain Thee now: Angels, who did in Thee rejoice, Now listen to Thine infant voice.

A little child, Thou art our guest, That weary ones in Thee may rest; Forlorn and lowly is Thy birth, That we may rise to heaven from earth.

Thou comest in the darksome night To make us children of the light; To make us, in the realms divine, Like Thine own angels round Thee s.h.i.+ne.

All this for us Thy love hath done; By this to Thee our life is won; For this we tune our cheerful lays, And tell our thanks in songs of praise.

MARTIN LUTHER.

Christ's Ministry

[Ill.u.s.tration.]

Nazareth. "Who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil." Acts 10:38.

1. With what words had John the Baptist announced Christ's ministry?

"He that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: He shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire." Matt.

3:11.

2. How old was Jesus when He began His ministry?

"And Jesus Himself began to be _about thirty years of age_." Luke 3:23.

3. By what act and what miraculous manifestations was His ministry opened?

"And it came to pa.s.s in those days, that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was _baptized of John in Jordan_. And straightway coming up out of the water, He saw the heavens opened, and _the Spirit like a dove descending upon Him: and there came a voice from heaven, saying, Thou art My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased_." Mark 1:9-11.

4. Before entering upon His ministry, through what experience did Jesus pa.s.s?

"And immediately the Spirit driveth Him into the wilderness. _And He was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted of Satan_; and was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered unto Him." Verses 12, 13. See also Matt. 4:1-11; Luke 4:1-13.

5. With what was Jesus anointed for His work?

"How G.o.d anointed Jesus of Nazareth _with the Holy Ghost and with power_: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for G.o.d was with Him." Acts 10:38.

6. Where did Jesus begin His ministry?

"And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit into _Galilee_: and there went out a fame of Him through all the region round about. And He taught in their synagogues, being glorified of all." Luke 4:14, 15.

7. How did He announce His mission while at Nazareth?

"And He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up: and, as His custom was, He went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and stood up for to read. And there was delivered unto Him the book of the prophet Esaias. And when He had opened the book, He found the place where it was written, The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He hath anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor; He hath sent Me _to heal the broken-hearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, to preach the acceptable year of the Lord...._ And He began to say unto them, _This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears_." Verses 16-21.

8. How were the people impressed with His preaching?

"And all bare Him witness, and _wondered at the gracious words which proceeded out of His mouth_." Verse 22.

9. Why were the people at Capernaum astonished at His teaching?

"And [He] came down to Capernaum, a city of Galilee, and taught them on the Sabbath days. And they were astonished at His doctrine: _for His word was with power_." Verses 31, 32.