PAPER 124
- THE LATER CHILDHOOD OF JESUS
Although Jesus
might have enjoyed a better opportunity for
schooling at Alexandria than in Galilee, he could
not have had such a splendid environment for working
out his own life problems with a minimum of
educational guidance, at the same time enjoying the
great advantage of constantly contacting with such a
large number of all classes of men and women hailing
from every part of the civilized world. Had he
remained at Alexandria, his education would have
been directed by Jews and along exclusively Jewish
lines. At Nazareth he secured an education and
received a training which more acceptably prepared
him to understand the gentiles, and which gave him a
better and more balanced idea of the relative merits
of the Eastern, or Babylonian, and the Western, or
Hellenic, views of Hebrew theology.
1. JESUS'
NINTH YEAR (A.D. 3)
Though
it could hardly be said that Jesus was ever
seriously ill, he did have some of the minor
ailments of childhood this year, along with his
brothers and baby sister.
School
went on and he was still a favored pupil, having one
week each month at liberty, and he continued to
divide his time about equally between trips to
neighboring cities with his father, sojourns on his
uncle's farm south of Nazareth, and fishing
excursions out from Magdala.
The most
serious trouble as yet to come up at school occurred
in late winter when Jesus dared to challenge the
chazan regarding the teaching that all images,
pictures, and drawings were idolatrous in nature.
Jesus delighted in drawing landscapes as well as in
modeling a great variety of objects in potter's
clay. Everything of that sort was strictly forbidden
by Jewish law, but up to this time he had managed to
disarm his parents' objection to such an extent that
they had permitted him to continue in these
activities.
But
trouble was again stirred up at school when one of
the more backward pupils discovered Jesus drawing a
charcoal picture of the teacher on the floor of the
schoolroom. There it was, plain as day, and many of
the elders had viewed it before the committee went
to call on Joseph to demand that something be done
to suppress the lawlessness of his eldest son. And
though this was not the first time complaints had
come to Joseph and Mary about the doings of their
versatile and aggressive child, this was the most
serious of all the accusations which had thus far
been lodged against him. Jesus listened to the
indictment of his artistic efforts for some time,
being seated on a large stone just outside the back
door. He resented their blaming his father for his
alleged misdeeds; so in he marched, fearlessly
confronting his accusers. The elders were thrown
into confusion. Some
Page 1367
were inclined to
view the episode humorously, while one or two seemed
to think the boy was sacrilegious if not
blasphemous. Joseph was nonplused, Mary indignant,
but Jesus insisted on being heard. He had his say,
courageously defended his viewpoint, and with
consummate self-control announced that he would
abide by the decision of his father in this as in
all other matters controversial. And the committee
of elders departed in silence.
Mary
endeavored to influence Joseph to permit Jesus to
model in clay at home, provided he promised not to
carry on any of these questionable activities at
school, but Joseph felt impelled to rule that the
rabbinical interpretation of the second commandment
should prevail. And so Jesus no more drew or modeled
the likeness of anything from that day as long as he
lived in his father's house. But he was unconvinced
of the wrong of what he had done, and to give up
such a favorite pastime constituted one of the great
trials of his young life.
In the
latter part of June, Jesus, in company with his
father, first climbed to the summit of Mount Tabor.
It was a clear day and the view was superb. It
seemed to this nine-year-old lad that he had really
gazed upon the entire world excepting India, Africa,
and Rome.
Jesus'
second sister, Martha, was born Thursday night,
September 13. Three weeks after the coming of
Martha, Joseph, who was home for awhile, started the
building of an addition to their house, a combined
workshop and bedroom. A small workbench was built
for Jesus, and for the first time he possessed tools
of his own. At odd times for many years he worked at
this bench and became highly expert in the making of
yokes.
This
winter and the next were the coldest in Nazareth for
many decades. Jesus had seen snow on the mountains,
and several times it had fallen in Nazareth,
remaining on the ground only a short time; but not
until this winter had he seen ice. The fact that
water could be had as a solid, a liquid, and a
vapor÷he had long pondered over the escaping steam
from the boiling pots÷caused the lad to think a
great deal about the physical world and its
constitution; and yet the personality embodied in
this growing youth was all this while the actual
creator and organizer of all these things throughout
a far-flung universe.
The
climate of Nazareth was not severe. January was the
coldest month, the temperature averaging around 50o
F. During July and August, the hottest months, the
temperature would vary from 75o to 90o F. From the
mountains to the Jordan and the Dead Sea valley the
climate of Palestine ranged from the frigid to the
torrid. And so, in a way, the Jews were prepared to
live in about any and all of the world's varying
climates.
Even
during the warmest summer months a cool sea breeze
usually blew from the west from 10:00 A.M. until
about 10:00 P.M. But every now and then terrific hot
winds from the eastern desert would blow across all
Palestine. These hot blasts usually came in February
and March, near the end of the rainy season. In
those days the rain fell in refreshing showers from
November to April, but it did not rain steadily.
There were only two seasons in Palestine, summer and
winter, the dry and rainy seasons. In January the
flowers began to bloom, and by the end of April the
whole land was one vast flower garden.
In May
of this year, on his uncle's farm, Jesus for the
first time helped with the harvest of the grain.
Before he was thirteen, he had managed to find out
something about practically everything that men and
women worked at around Nazareth
Page 1368
except metal
working, and he spent several months in a smith's
shop when older, after the death of his father.
When
work and caravan travel were slack, Jesus made many
trips with his father on pleasure or business to
nearby Cana, Endor, and Nain. Even as a lad he
frequently visited Sepphoris, only a little over
three miles from Nazareth to the northwest, and from
4 B.C. to about A.D. 25 the capital of Galilee and
one of the residences of Herod Antipas.
Jesus
continued to grow physically, intellectually,
socially, and spiritually. His trips away from home
did much to give him a better and more generous
understanding of his own family, and by this time
even his parents were beginning to learn from him as
well as to teach him. Jesus was an original thinker
and a skillful teacher, even in his youth. He was in
constant collision with the so-called "oral law,"
but he always sought to adapt himself to the
practices of his family. He got along fairly well
with the children of his age, but he often grew
discouraged with their slow-acting minds. Before he
was ten years old, he had become the leader of a
group of seven lads who formed themselves into a
society for promoting the acquirements of
manhood÷physical, intellectual, and religious. Among
these boys Jesus succeeded in introducing many new
games and various improved methods of physical
recreation.
2. THE
TENTH YEAR (A.D. 4)
It was
the fifth of July, the first Sabbath of the month,
when Jesus, while strolling through the countryside
with his father, first gave expression to feelings
and ideas which indicated that he was becoming
self-conscious of the unusual nature of his life
mission. Joseph listened attentively to the
momentous words of his son but made few comments; he
volunteered no information. The next day Jesus had a
similar but longer talk with his mother. Mary
likewise listened to the pronouncements of the lad,
but neither did she volunteer any information. It
was almost two years before Jesus again spoke to his
parents concerning this increasing revelation within
his own consciousness regarding the nature of his
personality and the character of his mission on
earth.
He
entered the advanced school of the synagogue in
August. At school he was constantly creating trouble
by the questions he persisted in asking.
Increasingly he kept all Nazareth in more or less of
a hubbub. His parents were loath to forbid his
asking these disquieting questions, and his chief
teacher was greatly intrigued by the lad's
curiosity, insight, and hunger for knowledge.
Jesus'
playmates saw nothing supernatural in his conduct;
in most ways he was altogether like themselves. His
interest in study was somewhat above the average but
not wholly unusual. He did ask more questions at
school than others in his class.
Perhaps
his most unusual and outstanding trait was his
unwillingness to fight for his rights. Since he was
such a well-developed lad for his age, it seemed
strange to his playfellows that he was disinclined
to defend himself even from injustice or when
subjected to personal abuse. As it happened, he did
not suffer much on account of this trait because of
the friendship of Jacob, a neighbor boy, who was one
year older. He was the son of the stone mason, a
business associate of Joseph. Jacob was a great
admirer of Jesus and made it his business to see
that no one was permitted to impose upon Jesus
because of his aversion
Page 1369
to physical
combat. Several times older and uncouth youths
attacked Jesus, relying upon his reputed docility,
but they always suffered swift and certain
retribution at the hands of his self-appointed
champion and ever-ready defender, Jacob the stone
mason's son.
Jesus
was the generally accepted leader of the Nazareth
lads who stood for the higher ideals of their day
and generation. He was really loved by his youthful
associates, not only because he was fair, but also
because he possessed a rare and understanding
sympathy that betokened love and bordered on
discreet compassion.
This
year he began to show a marked preference for the
company of older persons. He delighted in talking
over things cultural, educational, social, economic,
political, and religious with older minds, and his
depth of reasoning and keenness of observation so
charmed his adult associates that they were always
more than willing to visit with him. Until he became
responsible for the support of the home, his parents
were constantly seeking to influence him to
associate with those of his own age, or more nearly
his age, rather than with older and better-informed
individuals for whom he evinced such a preference.
Late
this year he had a fishing experience of two months
with his uncle on the Sea of Galilee, and he was
very successful. Before attaining manhood, he had
become an expert fisherman.
His
physical development continued; he was an advanced
and privileged pupil at school; he got along fairly
well at home with his younger brothers and sisters,
having the advantage of being three and one-half
years older than the oldest of the other children.
He was well thought of in Nazareth except by the
parents of some of the duller children, who often
spoke of Jesus as being too pert, as lacking in
proper humility and youthful reserve. He manifested
a growing tendency to direct the play activities of
his youthful associates into more serious and
thoughtful channels. He was a born teacher and
simply could not refrain from so functioning, even
when supposedly engaged in play.
Joseph
early began to instruct Jesus in the diverse means
of gaining a livelihood, explaining the advantages
of agriculture over industry and trade. Galilee was
a more beautiful and prosperous district than Judea,
and it cost only about one fourth as much to live
there as in Jerusalem and Judea. It was a province
of agricultural villages and thriving industrial
cities, containing more than two hundred towns of
over five thousand population and thirty of over
fifteen thousand.
When on
his first trip with his father to observe the
fishing industry on the lake of Galilee, Jesus had
just about made up his mind to become a fisherman;
but close association with his father's vocation
later on influenced him to become a carpenter, while
still later a combination of influences led him to
the final choice of becoming a religious teacher of
a new order.
3. THE
ELEVENTH YEAR (A.D. 5)
Throughout this year the lad continued to make trips
away from home with his father, but he also
frequently visited his uncle's farm and occasionally
went over to Magdala to engage in fishing with the
uncle who made his headquarters near that city.
Joseph
and Mary were often tempted to show some special
favoritism for Jesus or otherwise to betray their
knowledge that he was a child of promise, a
Page 1370
son of destiny.
But both of his parents were extraordinarily wise
and sagacious in all these matters. The few times
they did in any manner exhibit any preference for
him, even in the slightest degree, the lad was quick
to refuse all such special consideration.
Jesus
spent considerable time at the caravan supply shop,
and by conversing with the travelers from all parts
of the world, he acquired a store of information
about international affairs that was amazing,
considering his age. This was the last year in which
he enjoyed much free play and youthful joyousness.
From this time on difficulties and responsibilities
rapidly multiplied in the life of this youth.
On
Wednesday evening, June 24, A.D. 5, Jude was born.
Complications attended the birth of this, the
seventh child. Mary was so very ill for several
weeks that Joseph remained at home. Jesus was very
much occupied with errands for his father and with
many duties occasioned by his mother's serious
illness. Never again did this youth find it possible
to return to the childlike attitude of his earlier
years. From the time of his mother's illness÷just
before he was eleven years old÷he was compelled to
assume the responsibilities of the first-born son
and to do all this one or two full years before
these burdens should normally have fallen on his
shoulders.
The
chazan spent one evening each week with Jesus,
helping him to master the Hebrew scriptures. He was
greatly interested in the progress of his promising
pupil; therefore was he willing to assist him in
many ways. This Jewish pedagogue exerted a great
influence upon this growing mind, but he was never
able to comprehend why Jesus was so indifferent to
all his suggestions regarding the prospects of going
to Jerusalem to continue his education under the
learned rabbis.
About
the middle of May the lad accompanied his father on
a business trip to Scythopolis, the chief Greek city
of the Decapolis, the ancient Hebrew city of
Beth-shean. On the way Joseph recounted much of the
olden history of King Saul, the Philistines, and the
subsequent events of Israel's turbulent history.
Jesus was tremendously impressed with the clean
appearance and well-ordered arrangement of this
so-called heathen city. He marveled at the open-air
theater and admired the beautiful marble temple
dedicated to the worship of the "heathen" gods.
Joseph was much perturbed by the lad's enthusiasm
and sought to counteract these favorable impressions
by extolling the beauty and grandeur of the Jewish
temple at Jerusalem. Jesus had often gazed curiously
upon this magnificent Greek city from the hill of
Nazareth and had many times inquired about its
extensive public works and ornate buildings, but his
father had always sought to avoid answering these
questions. Now they were face to face with the
beauties of this gentile city, and Joseph could not
gracefully ignore Jesus' inquiries.
It so
happened that just at this time the annual
competitive games and public demonstrations of
physical prowess between the Greek cities of the
Decapolis were in progress at the Scythopolis
amphitheater, and Jesus was insistent that his
father take him to see the games, and he was so
insistent that Joseph hesitated to deny him. The boy
was thrilled with the games and entered most
heartily into the spirit of the demonstrations of
physical development and athletic skill. Joseph was
inexpressibly shocked to observe his son's
enthusiasm as he beheld these exhibitions of
"heathen" vaingloriousness. After the games were
finished,
Page 1371
Joseph received
the surprise of his life when he heard Jesus express
his approval of them and suggest that it would be
good for the young men of Nazareth if they could be
thus benefited by wholesome outdoor physical
activities. Joseph talked earnestly and long with
Jesus concerning the evil nature of such practices,
but he well knew that the lad was unconvinced.
The only
time Jesus ever saw his father angry with him was
that night in their room at the inn when, in the
course of their discussions, the boy so far forgot
the trends of Jewish thought as to suggest that they
go back home and work for the building of an
amphitheater at Nazareth. When Joseph heard his
first-born son express such un-Jewish sentiments, he
forgot his usual calm demeanor and, seizing Jesus by
the shoulder, angrily exclaimed, "My son, never
again let me hear you give utterance to such an evil
thought as long as you live." Jesus was startled by
his father's display of emotion; he had never before
been made to feel the personal sting of his father's
indignation and was astonished and shocked beyond
expression. He only replied, "Very well, my father,
it shall be so." And never again did the boy even in
the slightest manner allude to the games and other
athletic activities of the Greeks as long as his
father lived.
Later
on, Jesus saw the Greek amphitheater at Jerusalem
and learned how hateful such things were from the
Jewish point of view. Nevertheless, throughout his
life he endeavored to introduce the idea of
wholesome recreation into his personal plans and, as
far as Jewish practice would permit, into the later
program of regular activities for his twelve
apostles.
At the
end of this eleventh year Jesus was a vigorous,
well-developed, moderately humorous, and fairly
lighthearted youth, but from this year on he was
more and more given to peculiar seasons of profound
meditation and serious contemplation. He was much
given to thinking about how he was to carry out his
obligations to his family and at the same time be
obedient to the call of his mission to the world;
already he had conceived that his ministry was not
to be limited to the betterment of the Jewish
people.
4. THE
TWELFTH YEAR (A.D. 6)
This was
an eventful year in Jesus' life. He continued to
make progress at school and was indefatigable in his
study of nature, while increasingly he prosecuted
his study of the methods whereby men make a living.
He began doing regular work in the home carpenter
shop and was permitted to manage his own earnings, a
very unusual arrangement to obtain in a Jewish
family. This year he also learned the wisdom of
keeping such matters a secret in the family. He was
becoming conscious of the way in which he had caused
trouble in the village, and henceforth he became
increasingly discreet in concealing everything which
might cause him to be regarded as different from his
fellows.
Throughout this year he experienced many seasons of
uncertainty, if not actual doubt, regarding the
nature of his mission. His naturally developing
human mind did not yet fully grasp the reality of
his dual nature. The fact that he had a single
personality rendered it difficult for his
consciousness to recognize the double origin of
those factors which composed the nature associated
with that selfsame personality.
From
this time on he became more successful in getting
along with his brothers and sisters. He was
increasingly tactful, always compassionate and
considerate of their welfare and happiness, and
enjoyed good relations with them
Page 1372
up to the
beginning of his public ministry. To be more
explicit: He got along with James, Miriam, and the
two younger (as yet unborn) children, Amos and Ruth,
most excellently. He always got along with Martha
fairly well. What trouble he had at home largely
arose out of friction with Joseph and Jude,
particularly the latter.
It was a
trying experience for Joseph and Mary to undertake
the rearing of this unprecedented combination of
divinity and humanity, and they deserve great credit
for so faithfully and successfully discharging their
parental responsibilities. Increasingly Jesus'
parents realized that there was something superhuman
resident within this eldest son, but they never even
faintly dreamed that this son of promise was indeed
and in truth the actual creator of this local
universe of things and beings. Joseph and Mary lived
and died without ever learning that their son Jesus
really was the Universe Creator incarnate in mortal
flesh.
This
year Jesus paid more attention than ever to music,
and he continued to teach the home school for his
brothers and sisters. It was at about this time that
the lad became keenly conscious of the difference
between the viewpoints of Joseph and Mary regarding
the nature of his mission. He pondered much over his
parents' differing opinions, often hearing their
discussions when they thought he was sound asleep.
More and more he inclined to the view of his father,
so that his mother was destined to be hurt by the
realization that her son was gradually rejecting her
guidance in matters having to do with his life
career. And, as the years passed, this breach of
understanding widened. Less and less did Mary
comprehend the significance of Jesus' mission, and
increasingly was this good mother hurt by the
failure of her favorite son to fulfill her fond
expectations.
Joseph
entertained a growing belief in the spiritual nature
of Jesus' mission. And but for other and more
important reasons it does seem unfortunate that he
could not have lived to see the fulfillment of his
concept of Jesus' bestowal on earth.
During
his last year at school, when he was twelve years
old, Jesus remonstrated with his father about the
Jewish custom of touching the bit of parchment
nailed upon the doorpost each time on going into, or
coming out of, the house and then kissing the finger
that touched the parchment. As a part of this ritual
it was customary to say, "The Lord shall preserve
our going out and our coming in, from this time
forth and even forevermore." Joseph and Mary had
repeatedly instructed Jesus as to the reasons for
not making images or drawing pictures, explaining
that such creations might be used for idolatrous
purposes. Though Jesus failed fully to grasp their
proscriptions against images and pictures, he
possessed a high concept of consistency and
therefore pointed out to his father the essentially
idolatrous nature of this habitual obeisance to the
doorpost parchment. And Joseph removed the parchment
after Jesus had thus remonstrated with him.
As time
passed, Jesus did much to modify their practice of
religious forms, such as the family prayers and
other customs. And it was possible to do many such
things at Nazareth, for its synagogue was under the
influence of a liberal school of rabbis, exemplified
by the renowned Nazareth teacher, Jose.
Throughout this and the two following years Jesus
suffered great mental distress as the result of his
constant effort to adjust his personal views of
religious practices and social amenities to the
established beliefs of his parents. He was
distraught by the conflict between the urge to be
loyal to his own convictions
Page 1373
and the
conscientious admonition of dutiful submission to
his parents; his supreme conflict was between two
great commands which were uppermost in his youthful
mind. The one was: "Be loyal to the dictates of your
highest convictions of truth and righteousness." The
other was: "Honor your father and mother, for they
have given you life and the nurture thereof."
However, he never shirked the responsibility of
making the necessary daily adjustments between these
realms of loyalty to one's personal convictions and
duty toward one's family, and he achieved the
satisfaction of effecting an increasingly harmonious
blending of personal convictions and family
obligations into a masterful concept of group
solidarity based upon loyalty, fairness, tolerance,
and love.
5. HIS
THIRTEENTH YEAR (A.D. 7)
In this
year the lad of Nazareth passed from boyhood to the
beginning of young manhood; his voice began to
change, and other features of mind and body gave
evidence of the oncoming status of manhood.
On
Sunday night, January 9, A.D. 7, his baby brother,
Amos, was born. Jude was not yet two years of age,
and the baby sister, Ruth, was yet to come; so it
may be seen that Jesus had a sizable family of small
children left to his watchcare when his father met
his accidental death the following year.
It was
about the middle of February that Jesus became
humanly assured that he was destined to perform a
mission on earth for the enlightenment of man and
the revelation of God. Momentous decisions, coupled
with far-reaching plans, were formulating in the
mind of this youth, who was, to outward appearances,
an average Jewish lad of Nazareth. The intelligent
life of all Nebadon looked on with fascination and
amazement as all this began to unfold in the
thinking and acting of the now adolescent
carpenter's son.
On the
first day of the week, March 20, A.D. 7, Jesus
graduated from the course of training in the local
school connected with the Nazareth synagogue. This
was a great day in the life of any ambitious Jewish
family, the day when the first-born son was
pronounced a "son of the commandment" and the
ransomed first-born of the Lord God of Israel, a
"child of the Most High" and servant of the Lord of
all the earth.
Friday
of the week before, Joseph had come over from
Sepphoris, where he was in charge of the work on a
new public building, to be present on this glad
occasion. Jesus' teacher confidently believed that
his alert and diligent pupil was destined to some
outstanding career, some distinguished mission. The
elders, notwithstanding all their trouble with
Jesus' nonconformist tendencies, were very proud of
the lad and had already begun laying plans which
would enable him to go to Jerusalem to continue his
education in the renowned Hebrew academies.
As Jesus
heard these plans discussed from time to time, he
became increasingly sure that he would never go to
Jerusalem to study with the rabbis. But he little
dreamed of the tragedy, so soon to occur, which
would insure the abandonment of all such plans by
causing him to assume the responsibility for the
support and direction of a large family, presently
to consist of five brothers and three sisters as
well as his mother and himself. Jesus had a larger
and longer experience rearing this family than was
accorded to Joseph, his father; and he did measure
up to the standard which he subsequently set for
himself: to become a wise,
Page 1374
patient,
understanding, and effective teacher and eldest
brother to this family÷his family÷so suddenly
sorrow-stricken and so unexpectedly bereaved.
6. THE
JOURNEY TO JERUSALEM
Jesus,
having now reached the threshold of young manhood
and having been formally graduated from the
synagogue schools, was qualified to proceed to
Jerusalem with his parents to participate with them
in the celebration of his first Passover. The
Passover feast of this year fell on Saturday, April
9, A.D. 7. A considerable company (103) made ready
to depart from Nazareth early Monday morning, April
4, for Jerusalem. They journeyed south toward
Samaria, but on reaching Jezreel, they turned east,
going around Mount Gilboa into the Jordan valley in
order to avoid passing through Samaria. Joseph and
his family would have enjoyed going down through
Samaria by way of Jacob's well and Bethel, but since
the Jews disliked to deal with the Samaritans, they
decided to go with their neighbors by way of the
Jordan valley.
The
much-dreaded Archelaus had been deposed, and they
had little to fear in taking Jesus to Jerusalem.
Twelve years had passed since the first Herod had
sought to destroy the babe of Bethlehem, and no one
would now think of associating that affair with this
obscure lad of Nazareth.
Before
reaching the Jezreel junction, and as they journeyed
on, very soon, on the left, they passed the ancient
village of Shunem, and Jesus heard again about the
most beautiful maiden of all Israel who once lived
there and also about the wonderful works Elisha
performed there. In passing by Jezreel, Jesus'
parents recounted the doings of Ahab and Jezebel and
the exploits of Jehu. In passing around Mount
Gilboa, they talked much about Saul, who took his
life on the slopes of this mountain, King David, and
the associations of this historic spot.
As they
rounded the base of Gilboa, the pilgrims could see
the Greek city of Scythopolis on the right. They
gazed upon the marble structures from a distance but
went not near the gentile city lest they so defile
themselves that they could not participate in the
forthcoming solemn and sacred ceremonies of the
Passover at Jerusalem. Mary could not understand why
neither Joseph nor Jesus would speak of Scythopolis.
She did not know about their controversy of the
previous year as they had never revealed this
episode to her.
The road
now led immediately down into the tropical Jordan
valley, and soon Jesus was to have exposed to his
wondering gaze the crooked and ever-winding Jordan
with its glistening and rippling waters as it flowed
down toward the Dead Sea. They laid aside their
outer garments as they journeyed south in this
tropical valley, enjoying the luxurious fields of
grain and the beautiful oleanders laden with their
pink blossoms, while massive snow-capped Mount
Hermon stood far to the north, in majesty looking
down on the historic valley. A little over three
hours' travel from opposite Scythopolis they came
upon a bubbling spring, and here they camped for the
night, out under the starlit heavens.
On their
second day's journey they passed by where the
Jabbok, from the east, flows into the Jordan, and
looking east up this river valley, they recounted
the days of Gideon, when the Midianites poured into
this region to overrun the land. Toward the end of
the second day's journey they camped near the base
of the highest mountain overlooking the Jordan
valley, Mount Sartaba, whose
Page 1375
summit was
occupied by the Alexandrian fortress where Herod had
imprisoned one of his wives and buried his two
strangled sons.
The
third day they passed by two villages which had been
recently built by Herod and noted their superior
architecture and their beautiful palm gardens. By
nightfall they reached Jericho, where they remained
until the morrow. That evening Joseph, Mary, and
Jesus walked a mile and a half to the site of the
ancient Jericho, where Joshua, for whom Jesus was
named, had performed his renowned exploits,
according to Jewish tradition.
By the
fourth and last day's journey the road was a
continuous procession of pilgrims. They now began to
climb the hills leading up to Jerusalem. As they
neared the top, they could look across the Jordan to
the mountains beyond and south over the sluggish
waters of the Dead Sea. About halfway up to
Jerusalem, Jesus gained his first view of the Mount
of Olives (the region to be so much a part of his
subsequent life), and Joseph pointed out to him that
the Holy City lay just beyond this ridge, and the
lad's heart beat fast with joyous anticipation of
soon beholding the city and house of his heavenly
Father.
On the
eastern slopes of Olivet they paused for rest in the
borders of a little village called Bethany. The
hospitable villagers poured forth to minister to the
pilgrims, and it happened that Joseph and his family
had stopped near the house of one Simon, who had
three children about the same age as Jesus÷Mary,
Martha, and Lazarus. They invited the Nazareth
family in for refreshment, and a lifelong friendship
sprang up between the two families. Many times
afterward, in his eventful life, Jesus stopped in
this home.
They
pressed on, soon standing on the brink of Olivet,
and Jesus saw for the first time (in his memory) the
Holy City, the pretentious palaces, and the
inspiring temple of his Father. At no time in his
life did Jesus ever experience such a purely human
thrill as that which at this time so completely
enthralled him as he stood there on this April
afternoon on the Mount of Olives, drinking in his
first view of Jerusalem. And in after years, on this
same spot he stood and wept over the city which was
about to reject another prophet, the last and the
greatest of her heavenly teachers.
But they
hurried on to Jerusalem. It was now Thursday
afternoon. On reaching the city, they journeyed past
the temple, and never had Jesus beheld such throngs
of human beings. He meditated deeply on how these
Jews had assembled here from the uttermost parts of
the known world.
Soon
they reached the place prearranged for their
accommodation during the Passover week, the large
home of a well-to-do relative of Mary's, one who
knew something of the early history of both John and
Jesus, through Zacharias. The following day, the day
of preparation, they made ready for the appropriate
celebration of the Passover Sabbath.
While
all Jerusalem was astir in preparation for the
Passover, Joseph found time to take his son around
to visit the academy where it had been arranged for
him to resume his education two years later, as soon
as he reached the required age of fifteen. Joseph
was truly puzzled when he observed how little
interest Jesus evinced in all these carefully laid
plans.
Jesus
was profoundly impressed by the temple and all the
associated services and other activities. For the
first time since he was four years old, he was too
much preoccupied with his own meditations to ask
many questions. He did, however, ask his father
several embarrassing questions (as he had on
previous occasions) as to why the heavenly Father
required the slaughter of so many
Page 1376
innocent and
helpless animals. And his father well knew from the
expression on the lad's face that his answers and
attempts at explanation were unsatisfactory to his
deep-thinking and keen-reasoning son.
On the
day before the Passover Sabbath, flood tides of
spiritual illumination swept through the mortal mind
of Jesus and filled his human heart to overflowing
with affectionate pity for the spiritually blind and
morally ignorant multitudes assembled for the
celebration of the ancient Passover commemoration.
This was one of the most extraordinary days that the
Son of God spent in the flesh; and during the night,
for the first time in his earth career, there
appeared to him an assigned messenger from
Salvington, commissioned by Immanuel, who said: "The
hour has come. It is time that you began to be about
your Father's business."
And so,
even ere the heavy responsibilities of the Nazareth
family descended upon his youthful shoulders, there
now arrived the celestial messenger to remind this
lad, not quite thirteen years of age, that the hour
had come to begin the resumption of the
responsibilities of a universe. This was the first
act of a long succession of events which finally
culminated in the completion of the Son's bestowal
on Urantia and the replacing of "the government of a
universe on his human-divine shoulders."
As time
passed, the mystery of the incarnation became, to
all of us, more and more unfathomable. We could
hardly comprehend that this lad of Nazareth was the
creator of all Nebadon. Neither do we nowadays
understand how the spirit of this same Creator Son
and the spirit of his Paradise Father are associated
with the souls of mankind. With the passing of time,
we could see that his human mind was increasingly
discerning that, while he lived his life in the
flesh, in spirit on his shoulders rested the
responsibility of a universe.
Thus
ends the career of the Nazareth lad, and begins the
narrative of that adolescent youth--the increasingly
self-conscious divine human--who now begins the
contemplation of his world career as he strives to
integrate his expanding life purpose with the
desires of his parents and his obligations to his
family and the society of his day and age. |