Soul Evolution—I Must Be in My Father's House

Text

Luke 2:40-52. And the child grew, and waxed strong, filled with wisdom; and the grace of God was upon him. And his parents went every year to Jerusalem at the feast of the passover. And when he was twelve years old, they went up after the custom of the feast; and when they had fulfilled the days, as they were returning, the boy Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and his parents knew it not; but supposing him to be in the company, they went a day’s journey; and they sought for him among their kinsfold and acquaintance: and when they found him not, they returned to Jerusalem, seeking for him.

And it came to pass, after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both hearing them, and asking them questions: and all that heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. And when they saw him, they were astonished; and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I sought thee sorrowing. And he said unto them. How is it that ye sought me? knew ye not that I must be in my Father’s house? And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them. And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth; and he was subject unto them: and his mother kept all these sayings in her heart.

And Jesus advanced in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.

Interpretation

Jesus represents our growing inner consciousness that we are sons of God. Joseph represents the Son of man—the conscious mind. Mary represents divine motherhood—the subconscious mind. Both of these ideas have place in individual consciousness, and they unite to bring forth a complete expression of God—the perfect manifest man(Jesus).

The growth of strength and wisdom in consciousness is not always plain to the outer man. The grace of God upon him brings about an inner spiritual strength that remains hidden until it reaches a given development in all parts of mind and body. First the person realizes a change in thought; next, a distinct freedom in body. When the growth is regular, there is a spiritualization of the centers of the mind and the body, until the whole twelve centers or powers have been raised to a higher rate of activity and there comes a clearer perception pf Truth.

Joseph and Mary, in their hurry to return home, forget the young child Jesus, or take it for granted that he is in their company. But He is not found, and they return to seek Him. This means that we are to be specific in bringing forth from the invisible side of our being all the factors that enter into consciousness. If we do not bring forth these factors, we shall have to return sorrowing, after “three days”. This return symbolizes an entering into spirit, soul, and body, where we find the Son of God “in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers”. The thoughts in the organism that preside over and regulate the various functions are here referred to as “teachers”. The wisdom of God individualized (Jesus), gives these teachers a new understanding of divine law, and all are amazed at the revelation.

The work of Jesus in the “Father’s house” is essential to the development of health of mind and body. The outer consciousness may not understand (verse 50) why the all-powerful Son of the Most High should spend so much time in inner communion. Experience proves that this communion is necessary. Those who give due attention to it find that harmony is established and that harmony may be brought to the outer realms (Nazareth) and made to serve and to be subject, in the common walks of life.

The balancing of the within and the without brings about the harmonious evolution in soul and body that is described in verse 52: “And Jesus advanced in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.”