But  we  naturally  wonder  why  Jesus  did  not  inform  his  parents  of
his  intention  to  remain  longer  in  Jerusalem.  No  doubt  he  knew  that
it  was  his  heavenly  Father's  will  that  he  should  not  tell  them,  for  he
would  not  have  caused  them  any  useless  sorrow.  Probably  God  wish-
ed to  remind  Mary  by  this  circumstance,  that  her  Son  was  come  into
this  world  to  do  a  great  work,  and  that  she  must  expect  to  find  him
continually  engaged  in  it.  All  parents  ought  to  be  ready  to  give  up
their  children  for  God's  service,  and  to  part  with .  them  to  a  distance,
even  as  missionaries  in  a  foreign  land,  if  it  be  God's  will.  When  the
mother  of  the  famous  Wesley  was  asked,  whether  she  was  willing  to
part  with  her  two  sons,  to  go  as  missionaries  to  America,  she  answer-
ed, "  Had  I  ten  sons,  I  should  rejoice  that  they  should  be  so  em-
ployed."

Mary  gently  reproached  her  son  with  having  caused  her  and  Joseph
so  much  anxiety,  (verse  48.)     Accustomed  no  doubt  to  the  most  affec-
tionate behavior  from  him,  she  was  surprised  at  any  conduct  that  ap
peared  unkind.
Our  Lord  answered,  "  How  is  it  that  ye  sought  me  ?  Wist  ye
not,  (or  know  ye  not,)  that  I  must  be  about  my  Father's  business  ?"

This  reply  was  full  of  the  dignity  that  belonged  to  him,  as  the  Son
of  God.  In  his  obedience  to  his  mother  on  other  occasions,  he  set  an
example  to  all  children,  but  in  his  conduct  on  this  occasion,  he  acted
as  became  the  King  of  kings  and  Lord  of  lords.
