For the first time the child Jesus looked upon the temple. He saw the white-robed priests performing their solemn ministry. He beheld the bleeding victim upon the altar of sacrifice. With the worshipers He bowed in prayer, while the cloud of incense ascended before God. He witnessed the impressive rites of the paschal service. Day by day He saw their meaning more clearly. Every act seemed to be bound up with His own life. New impulses were awakening within Him. Silent and absorbed, He seemed to be studying out a great problem. The mystery of His mission was opening to the Saviour.

Det var første gang, at barnet Jesus betragtede templet. Han så, hvordan de hvidklædte præster forrettede deres højtidelige tjeneste. Han så det blødende lam på alteret. Sammen med de andre tempelsøgende bøjede han sig i bøn, medens røgelseskyerne steg op til Gud. Han var vidne til påskehøjtidens betagende ritualer. Dag for dag stod deres betydning mere og mere klart for ham. Enhver handling syntes at have en forbindelse med hans eget liv. Der vågnede nye impulser i hans indre. I tavshed og dybt betaget syntes han at grunde over et stort problem. Mysteriet i hans kald begyndte at gå op for Frelseren.