His was not a sudden growth, but gradual, as with other children; and while developing a strong physical body, “the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom.” The secret of the difference between Jesus and His companions is revealed in this verse. Most children develop mentally and physically, especially during their first twelve years; but the spiritual nature of Christ was the leading one and in His threefold nature the mental and physical were always well balanced by the spiritual. As Hinsdale says: “The divine mind, the human heart, and nature are closely united” in Him. _He did not seek instruction in the rabbinical schools, for they had lost the spirit which to him was life._ [Sidenote: Christ recognized his life work] At an early age, probably not later than twelve, He recognized His life work, and henceforth every energy was bent in one direction. His lot was to reveal the divinity of God, to show the possibilities of the God-man, to prove to the world that it is possible for God and man to unite and for the spiritual nature to rule; and proving this, to show that the heavenly instituted system of education was not a failure, although at that time it was in disrepute. [Sidenote: Christ chose the spiritual plane] The age of twelve was a critical period in the life of a Jewish child, for it was then that the physical nature was approaching maturity. The next few years meant much to the youth, for he then had it within his power to choose for life the plane upon which he expected to live. If physical strength and the gratification of the natural senses are the height of ambition, by yielding to temptations of this nature at about this age the life-habits are fixed. Perhaps in other countries the development is somewhat slower, owing to climatic influences, but from twelve to sixteen every youth struggles against tendencies and ambitions which a few years later cease to be temptations. It was so with Christ; but as He stood watching the paschal services at the time of His first visit to the temple, “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.” For years, that service, established to appeal to the spiritual nature, had degenerated into the mere slaying of beasts. For the first time a _soul_ was touched, and heavenly impulses were awakened. It was then that the temptation to pass a life in physical ease was met and overcome. Heaven seemed to open to the child’s eyes, and He heard the call of God to a life with Him. He sought to be alone, and in the silence His heart caught the vibrations of heavenly beings, and the grosser physical nature was abandoned forever. [Sidenote: Christ and the rabbis]