Good
Shepherd Church Seminary
Module 9 ---
Jesus the Boy (2)
Growing in Wisdom and Stature
Objectives; by
the end of this Module you should;
1. Have knowledge of Jesus' younger, formative years
2. Be able to read the Gospels to gain a deeper insight into Jesus’ formative years as described by the Gospels
3. Have an appreciation of how Jesus' relationship with God the Father, His parents and all in His environment developed His personal character
4. Be able to further develop your personal living relationship with Jesus Christ in prayer
Contents
9.1 Jesus grew in wisdom and stature
9.2. Jesus in Jerusalem
9.3 Jesus and His cousin John
9.4 The early training of Jesus
9.5 Jesus witnessed crucifixions during His Childhood
9.6 Jesus lived near the Silk Road
9.7 Jesus pondered about the Star and the Magi
9.8 Conclusion
9.1 JESUS GREW IN WISDOM AND STATURE
'And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and men.' New Testament, Gospel of Luke Chapter 2, verse 52. As Jesus grew taller and continued learning about life, He adjusted to childhood in a peasant society. He would have been used to His parents working all hours, in order to keep a roof over their heads and to make ends meet. Not only was He expected to help with His father-guardian's trade as carpenter, He also helped out in the fields with the farmers and looking after the sheep. In the process, He learned about the responsibilities, joys and sorrows, of being a shepherd.
Jesus drew on His experience as shepherd by telling His disciples, 'I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.' (New Testament, Gospel of John Chapter 10 verse 11). Jesus was also alluding to the great Psalm David, His human ancestor through His mother and father's royal bloodlines, had written.
"The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want,
He makes me lie down in green pastures,
He leads me beside quiet waters, He restores my soul.
He guides me in the path of righteousness, for His Name's sake.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil,
For You are with me,
Your rod and Your staff,
They comfort me.
You prepare a table before me,
In the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil,
My cup overflows.
Surely goodness and love will follow me,
All the days of my life,
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever." Old Testament, Psalm 23, verses 1 to 6.
Jesus also clearly told His disciples that, besides disciples following the Christian way, He would have other groups of people to lead. "I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to My Voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd. For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down My life in order to take it up again." The Gospel of John Chapter 10, verses 16 to 17.
All peoples from different groups are the responsibility of Jesus Christ as Son of God to lead. It would thus be important for us to be caring and accepting of every person we meet, because each person belongs to the universal Fold of God that Jesus was missioned by the Father to lead. Accept all; reject none. To do this is to do as Jesus did.
Jesus pondered on His humble beginnings, and arduous village life. As Son of God He had been born in an animals' stable, and He fed and cried as any baby does. Thus God blessed human life and babyhood with dignity. No infant life before or after birth should be taken from them. Their life is theirs and theirs alone.
9.2 JESUS IN JERUSALEM
According to our knowledge from the Gospels, Jesus received no formal education in rabbinical schools. He thirsted for knowledge about God. Unbeknown to His parents, Jesus began to hatch a plan to ask questions from spiritual leaders in the Temple in Jerusalem. He daydreamed that here He would find all the answers to the questions He was wondering about. Why did the Temple slay lambs, babies of animal mothers, when the unequivocal Law of God commands 'Thou shalt not kill?"
Why was there a curtain hung between the inner Sanctuary symbolising God in the Temple and the humble worshipping people without? Would God Who had spoken of His Love for His people in the Torah (the Old Testament) not want them to be free to come to Him and worship without boundaries? Surely the God of the Torah Who spoke so movingly of His Love for His people (The Old Testament, the great Jewish prophet Isaiah, Chapter 49, verses 15 to 16) would not want His daughters stoned for perceived societal infractions of love, and sons handed over for execution by the rulers of the day? Why did the Israelites popularly expect a Messiah of might and vengeance Who would sweep out the ruling military might of the day, and establish an earthly kingdom of power, pomp and glory - which would eventually pass away, instead of an eternal Kingdom of happiness and peace? Did not the Torah foretell that the Messiah came as a chosen Servant Who does not cry out or raise His Voice in the street, and is gentle with the fragile person (the Old Testament, Prophet Isaiah, Chapter 42, verses 1 to 3), strengthening instead of breaking the crushed reed and snuffing the faltering wick?
All these, and many other questions, Jesus planned to put before the ruling rabbis of the Temple. Surely they would help him find the answers as He groped towards understanding His destiny as the Messiah, and the best way to fulfil this destiny.
And so it happened. When Jesus was twelve, He accompanied His parents to Jerusalem for the Feast of the Passover. After the Feast was over, Joseph and Mary began the journey back to Nazareth. Shortly after leaving they discovered that Jesus was missing from the travelling party and they began to search for Him. Only someone who has discovered a loved one is missing can understand the pain and fear that fills the heart when the discovery is made. Is the person dead? Have they been kidnapped? What is happening to them? All this, and other fears, filled Joseph and Mary's minds as they frantically searched for Jesus.
Three days later they found Jesus discussing the Old Testament Prophecies in the Temple. How Jesus looked after His own lodging, food and safety in the street of Jerusalem in the nights once the courts and question sessions in the Temple had closed, is not known. Possibly He slept in the street alleys.
What is more likely is that Jesus, well versed in camping out with his cousin John and with his parents upon their pilgrimages to Jerusalem, simply built a lean to of branches and hay outside the city walls alongside other pilgrims. Perhaps Jesus had a few coins Joseph and Mary had given to Him as pocket money to purchase food; perhaps He drank well water. Either that or His easy charm won Him a meal and a place to stay in the tent of a welcoming family. One way or another, Jesus was in good health and well when they Joseph and Mary found Him, which had the effect - as it always does - of making parents who had been worried and imagining the worst, more than a little irate.
Joseph and Mary spoke to Jesus, and He asked why they had searched for Him; did they not know that He had to be in His Father's house? (The Bible, New Testament, the writer and physician Luke, Chapter 2, verse 49). Somehow, at twelve years of age, Jesus had become fully aware of His identity as the Son of God. Perhaps God the Father had revealed Himself fully to Him. Whatever happened, Jesus seems never to have spoken of this to anyone. He was emotionally a young man now, in training for His destiny. He returned to Nazareth with Mary and Joseph, and was obedient to them. Jesus grew taller and continued to develop bodily strength in the carpenter's workshop. He learned a skill which would always ensure He would be able to afford a roof over his Head and a meal on His table. As Jesus grew steadily in life experience and wisdom, He left His boyhood behind and entered His early years as a young adult.
9.3 JESUS AND HIS COUSIN JOHN
Upon His return from Egypt, Jesus grew to know His cousin John, and enjoyed his company. The two boys would have heard the stories from the villagers about the unusual circumstances surrounding both their births. Possibly Elizabeth and Zechariah died while John was still young; they had both been senior in years when John was born. John went to meditate and find his way to God in the desert. In this rugged solitude, close to nature, he spent much time in prayer. John's close time with God in the desert led him to the understanding that he was the promised one the great Prophet Isaiah spoke of; the one who would prepare the way for the coming of the Messiah.
John's spirituality found its way in a simple lifestyle, and he wore clothing made of camel-hair. Camels are neither shorn nor combed; they lose their hair in spring. Camel hair is continuously disposed to extreme varieties of temperature as well as being lightweight, so was suited for John's living in the desert. This tunic, and a leather belt, was the common dress of the prophets (Old Testament, the Second Book of Kings Chapter 1, verse 8; and Old Testament, the Prophet Zechariah Chapter 13, verse 14), so were certainly used by John as a symbolic affirmation of his call by God.
John ate food which was suitable to the desert environment. It is reported that John ate locusts and honey (Gospel of Matthew Chapter 3, verse 4). Some believe that John ate fruit from the locust tree, others that John ate the insects. It is possible that John maintained his health by eating a locust stir-fry. This recipe involves commencing the preparation of the dish by heating herbs such as root ginger, onion in a little oil with dates and locusts. Honey is then added, stirring all the time and cooking for a few minutes. Locusts are full of protein, and some cultures still eat locusts today. Travellers also used them, taking along dried and packed locusts, or roasted locusts which have been crushed into a powder. Dried locusts are also prepared for the winter months. So John may have moved to eating this diet as suited for the desert climate.
Jesus would have seen John either roasting his pan of locusts at the wayside, or eating fruit from the locust tree. John would have seemed to be a strong and charismatic character; and so was Jesus. The two boys expressed their spirituality in different ways. John chose a simple diet and left the daily interaction of village society. Jesus enjoyed food and socialising; His detractors were to call Him a glutton and a drunkard in later years (New Testament, the former tax collector Matthew and writer, Chapter 11, verse 19).
9.4 THE EARLY TRAINING OF JESUS
In his youth Jesus learned to be self-sufficient and to cook food. He prepared breakfast for His disciples after His Resurrection. He baked bread and roasted fish He had caught while waiting for His disciples to come in from their fishing (New Testament, the disciple and visionary John, Chapter 21, verses 9 to 10). Jesus had thus learned the art of grilling on open air coal fires at a young age. and was an independent and self-sufficient man.
It is clear that Jesus learned many skills as a young boy, including sailing boats. At times, He needed to be alone, so would get into a boat and sail to a quiet place (New Testament, Matthew, Chapter 14, verse 13). Jesus also learned how to maintain everyday equipment to save waste, from his thrift conscious and hardworking poor parents. He had been taught the basics of everyday sewing for the maintenance of clothing, and the importance of treating wineskins correctly in order to keep them in functional order (Matthew Chapter 9, verses 16 to 17).
Jesus fasted from time to time as taught by his parents. This He did in order to practice self-discipline in His childhood and later years. He fasted for a lengthy period of time in the desert, in preparation for His Ministry (Matthew, Chapter 4, verses 1 to 2). As a child Jesus had opportunities to practice fasting in small ways as His parents taught Him this aid to self-denial and strengthening of the spirit.
9.5 JESUS WITNESSED CRUCIFIXIONS DURING HIS CHILDHOOD
When Jesus was about eleven years old, Judas the Galilean led an insurrection against Rome. Judas and his followers invaded the royal armoury at Sepphoris, the city six kilometres north of Nazareth, Jesus' hometown. The rulers of the day dealt with the insurrection, burned the city, sold the inhabitants into slavery, and crucified two thousand rebels. The crosses were placed along the roadside near Nazareth as a deterrent to others who might be tempted to rebel against the ruling power. The procedure of crucifixion included the total stripping of the condemned to die open and naked before all who passed by.
9.6 JESUS LIVED NEAR THE SILK ROAD
The Silk Road passed through the valley below Nazareth. This was the main trade route between the Orient and Rome to Egypt. Caravans passed along the road regularly, and Jesus as a lively youngster with his roots from early years in Egypt would have been interested in them. The road divided into two directions, a land route that turned south towards Jerusalem and Egypt. The other route went over to the Mediterranean Sea, from where trade ships offered passage to Egypt and Rome. A caravan route connected Nazareth and Jerusalem. Joseph had travelled with Mary and Jesus on the route to Egypt which was situated south of Nazareth.
Jesus would have heard many different languages being spoken, and met people from different cultures as they travelled along the road near Nazareth. This would have broadened his outlook. Jesus in his early years had thus already lived in Egypt and Israel; He would have known about the fabulous gifts the visitors had brought Him at His birth - gold, frankincense and myrrh. Camel caravans were protected as much as possible with safeguards along the way. Jesus would have been familiar with the robbery, murder and injury caused by people attacking travellers. In later years He spoke of one such occurrence between Jerusalem to Jericho in parable form (The Gospel of Luke, Chapter 10, verses 30 to 37). Taxes and duty were charged at the roads.
There was much trade with Greece and other places; wood from Lebanon, glass from Sidon, fabric from India, spices from Arabia, fish from Tyre, grain from Egypt, materials from Babylon were major imports.
9.7 JESUS PONDERED ABOUT THE STAR AND THE MAGI
Mary and Joseph would have told Jesus about the star that had shone at the time of His Birth, and also about the visit of the Magi. The young boy would certainly have pondered about these things. Three wise men from Persia had visited Jesus as a baby. Matthew in his gospel speaks of the Magi. The meaning of the plural word 'Magi' is Persian, and is the name of the ancient Zoroastrian priestly class. Magi (singular magus) were followers of Zoroaster, Persian teacher and prophet. Magi were astronomers and interpreted dreams. Like the Jewish people, they believed in the coming of a Messiah. This was Shaoshyant, whose virgin birth announced by a bright star would herald the beginning of the reign of justice. The gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh are often recorded together as Persian temple offerings. Zoroastrians believe there is one universal and transcendent God, the one uncreated Creator.
Marco Polo spoke of seeing the reported tombs of the three Magi who visited Jesus, along the Silk Road. The tombs were at Saveh. According to what was told to him, the three gifts given to Jesus denoted that he was God, a King and a Healer. The town of Saveh was the site of one of the most important astronomical observatories in Asia.
In the year of Jesus' birth a conjunction of the planets Jupiter with Saturn met in the sign of the zodiac Pisces, the Fish. It has been suggested that this conjunction was the star seen by the Wise Men in Persia, as noted by the Gospel writer Matthew Chapter 2, verses 1 to 12. This conjunction was an event observed by many. The magi possibly held Pisces to be the sign of the last days; Jupiter to be the star of the world ruler; and Saturn as the star of Palestine. They possibly believed that when Jupiter met Saturn in the constellation Pisces, the ruler of the Last Days would appear in Palestine. The Zoroastrian holy writing predicted the Messiah. They thus travelled to Israel, bringing gifts.
In early Christian times, the word "ΙΧΘΥΣ (Ichtys) is an acronym for "Ἰησοῦς Χριστός, Θεοῦ Υἱός, Σωτήρ", (Iēsous Christos, Theou Yios, Sōtēr), which translates into English as "Jesus Christ, God's Son, Savior".
- Iota (i) is the first letter of Iēsous (Ἰησοῦς), Greek for "Jesus".
- Chi (ch) is the first letter of Christos (Χριστός), Greek for "anointed".
- Theta (th) is the first letter of Theou (Θεοῦ), Greek for "God's", the genitive case of Θεóς, Theos, Greek for "God".
- Ypsilon (y) is the first letter of (h)yios[3] (Υἱός), Greek for "Son".
- Sigma (s) is the first letter of sōtēr (Σωτήρ), Greek for "Saviour"." *
Jesus would have pondered the Magi, the wonders, the star and its meaning in His heart. He would often have looked at the Silk road and caravans near Nazareth. At a young age, Jesus already had much experience of travel with His family; travelling and living in Egypt; moving between Nazareth, Sepphoris, and Jerusalem. Perhaps He looked at the road which led to the East from whence had come the Wise Men and wondered if He would find more answers to His destiny among those who had come from Asia 'the East' in search of Him at His birth.
9.8 CONCLUSION;
Whatever Jesus' thoughts, the Gospels state that He grew taller and wiser in experience. Thus Jesus left His boyhood behind and entered His teenage years and early adult life.
COPYRIGHT NOTICE
Copyright 2012 by Rev. Catherine Whittle D.D. All rights reserved.
*Quotation taken from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ichthys
*Photograph was taken by Rev. Catherine. Please feel free to use copyright free for any educational or spiritual purpose.
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