3. The influences set in motion by the life of Christ upon the earth.  First, let us review the history of Christ’s personal relations to Mary.  Up to twelve years of age, his home was in Nazareth; and Luke declares (second chapter, fortieth verse), “The child grew and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom; and the grace of God was upon him.  And when he was twelve years old, his parents went up to Jerusalem, after the custom of the feast.  And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it.  For three days he was away from them.  When they found him he was in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them and asking them questions.  And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers.  And when they saw him, they were amazed:  and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us?  Behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing.”

It is noticeable that Luke mentions Joseph before he mentions the mother; and when Mary speaks, she ignores the miraculous conception, and calls him the son of Joseph.  But Jesus does not forget his origin, nor does he recognize Joseph as father, but says, How is it that ye sought me?  Wist ye not that I must be about my Father’s business?  And they understood not the saying he spake unto them.  And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them; but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart.  “And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.”—­Luke ii. 42.

Again, at Cana of Galilee, there was a marriage, and the mother of Jesus was there.  Eighteen years have passed since we last saw him in the temple, when Mary ignored his miraculous conception, and when Jesus rebuked her, by asserting his Sonship and by claiming God as Father.  At Cana both Jesus and his disciples are invited to the wedding.  And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, They have no wine.  Jesus saith unto her, “Woman, what have I to do with thee?  Mine hour is not yet come.”  Plainly, and in the most emphatic manner, Christ refuses to recognize Mary as intercessor or director.  A third instance is still more marked.  Jesus is talking to an immense multitude, and is making a hand-to-hand fight with Pharisees and Scribes.  “While he yet talked to the people, behold, his mother and his brethren stood without, desiring to speak with him.”  Evidently Mary had no idea of the character or the mission of the Man Christ Jesus, but feeling that he was popular, she was glad to exhibit her relationship in a public manner, and so through the throng sent in word, saying, “Tell Jesus his mother and his brethren stand without, desiring to speak with him.”  But he answered, and said unto him that told him, “Who is my mother? and who are my brethren?” It is not difficult to picture the God-man shaking off the trammels of