On the third day, they went up to the Temple with heavy hearts, still looking for their boy.  And there they found him sitting in a company of the doctors of the law, listening to their words and asking them questions.  Everybody who stood near was surprised to find how deep was the knowledge of this boy in the word of the Lord.

His mother spoke to him a little sharply, for she felt that her son had not been thoughtful of his duty.  She said:  “Child, why have you treated us in this way?  Do you not know that your father and I have been looking for you with troubled hearts?”

“Why did you seek for me,” said Jesus.  “Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?”

They did not understand these words; but Mary thought often about them afterward; for she felt her son was no common child, and that his words had a deep meaning.  Though Jesus was wise beyond his years, he obeyed Joseph and his mother in all things.  He went with them to Nazareth, and lived contented with the plain life of their country home.

As the years went on, Jesus grew from a boy to a young man.  He grew, too, in knowledge, and in wisdom, and in the favor of God.  He won the love of all who knew him, for there was something in his nature that drew all hearts, both young and old.

Jesus learned the trade of a carpenter with Joseph; and when Joseph died, while Jesus was still a young man, Jesus worked as a carpenter, and helped his mother take care of the family.  And so in the carpenter shop, and the quiet life of a country village, and the worship of the synagogue, the years passed until Jesus was thirty years of age.

THE STORY OF THE WATER THAT WAS TURNED INTO WINE

A few days after Jesus met his followers or disciples at the river Jordan, he came with these men to a town in Galilee called Cana, to be present at a wedding.  In those lands a feast was always held at a wedding, and often the friends of those who were married stayed several days, eating and drinking together.

The mother of Jesus was at this wedding as a friend of the family; for Nazareth, where she lived, was quite near to Cana.  Before the wedding feast was over, all the wine had been used, and there was no more for the guests to drink.  The mother of Jesus knew that her son had power to do whatever he chose; and she said to him; “They have no wine.”

Jesus said to her:  “O woman, what have I to do with thee?  My hour is not yet come.”

But his mother knew that Jesus would in some way help the people in their need, and she said to the servants who were waiting at the table: 

“Whatever he tells you to do, be sure to do it.”

In the dining hall were standing six large stone jars, each about as large as a barrel, holding twenty-five gallons.  These jars held water for washing, as the Jews washed their hands before every meal, and washed their feet as often as they came from walking in the street, since they wore no shoes, but only sandals.  Jesus said to the servants: