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A Series of Lessons in Mystic Christianity962
Bethlehem in His mother’s arms in accordance with the Jewish law, and at
which time an aged priest and an old prophetess had publicly acknowledged
the divine nature of the child.
The father, mother and child—the divine trinity of Human relationship—
traveled slowly over the highway that led from Nazareth to Jerusalem. The
father and mother were concerned with the details of the journey, mingled
with pious thoughts concerning the sacred feast in which they were to take
part. But the boy’s mind was far away from the things that were occupying
his parent’s thoughts. He was thinking over the deep mystic truths which
He had so readily absorbed during the past few years, and He was looking
forward in delightful anticipation to His expected meeting with the older
mystics in the temples and public places of Jerusalem.
It must be remembered that underlying the Jewish ecclesiastical teachings
and formalism, which were all that the mass of the people knew, there was
a great store of Jewish occultism and Mysticism known to the few elect. The
Kaballah or Jewish occult writings were closely studied by the learned Jews,
and this work with other similar teachings were transmitted verbally from
teacher to student, and constituted the Secret Doctrine of the Hebrew
religion. And it was toward the learned teachers of this Secret Doctrine that
Jesus directed His mind and steps, although His parents knew it not.
Four or five days were consumed in the journey, and at last the Holy City—
Jerusalem—came into full view, the wonderful Temple of Israel showing
plainly above the other buildings. The bands of pilgrims, of which the family
of Joseph formed a part, formed into orderly array and led by flute-players
they solemnly marched into the streets of the Holy City, singing and chanting
the Sacred Songs used by the faithful upon this solemn occasion. And the
boy walked with the rest, with bowed head, and eyes that seemed to see
things far removed from the scene around them.
The Passover rites were carried out—the duties were performed—the
ceremonies were observed. The Passover Feast extended over a full week,
of which the first two days were the most important, and during which two