Jesus Helps His Mother

Returning from Jerusalem, Jesus hoped to direct Joseph and Mary to the prophecies about the suffering Savior. On Calvary, He tried to lighten His mother’s grief; He was thinking of her now. Mary was to witness His last agony, and Jesus wanted her to understand His mission so that she could endure when the sword would pierce through her soul. How much better she could have accepted the anguish of His death if she had understood the Scriptures to which He was now trying to turn her thoughts!HH 31.8

By one day’s neglect, Joseph and Mary lost the Savior, but it cost them three days of anxious search to find Him. It is this way with us as well. By idle talk, evilspeaking, or neglect of prayer, in one day we may lose the Savior’s presence, and it may take many days to find Him and regain the peace we have lost.HH 31.9

We should be careful not to forget Jesus and drift along unaware that He is not with us. Absorbed in worldly things, we separate ourselves from Him and from the heavenly angels. These holy beings cannot remain where people don’t want the Savior’s presence and don’t notice His absence.HH 32.1

Many attend religious services and are refreshed by the Word of God, but by neglecting to meditate and pray, they lose the blessing. By separating themselves from Jesus, they have shut away the light of His presence.HH 32.2

It would be good for us to spend a thoughtful hour each day in thinking about the life of Christ. We should take it point by point and let the imagination grasp each scene, especially the closing ones. If we do, our confidence in Him will be more constant, our love will be awakened, and we will be filled with His spirit. Beholding the beauty of His character, we will be “transformed into the same image from glory to glory.” 2 Corinthians 3:18.HH 32.3