REVERENCE for and understanding of God's holy law precede our obedience to it. And this obedience lays the foundation upon which are built our health, happiness, supply, peace, and progress.
Our Way-shower, Christ Jesus, gave implicit obedience to the law of God; and his works, which he commanded that those who love him do also, require the same unswerving obedience from his followers.
Obedience to God characterized Jesus' early childhood. In the second chapter of Luke we read that after the feast of the passover Mary and Joseph missed Jesus from the company of homeward-bound friends and relatives. Going back to Jerusalem, they discovered the twelve-year-old lad in the temple, astounding the doctors of the law with his questions and answers. To Mary's bewildered reproof, Jesus earnestly replied (Luke 2:49), "Wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business?" Let us note the word "must." Here is no precocious answer, no childish rebellion against home authority. Rather, here is the simple, courageous, and deeply moving statement of the recognition of his life purpose as the beloved Son of God. The boy returned to Nazareth with Mary and Joseph and was subject to them. And the record further states (verse 52), "Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man."
