Paper 127 Overview: The Adolescent Years

Jesus entered his adolescent years as the head and sole support of a large family after his father's death. These teenage years presented Jesus with the most challenging problems and difficulties of his entire life on earth. He experienced all the normal struggles that teenagers face, plus the responsibility of caring for his family, which gave him a complete understanding of human life.

During these years from age fifteen to twenty, Jesus worked hard as a carpenter to support his family. He continued to develop as a young man, learning to balance his divine purpose with his human responsibilities. His experiences during these challenging years later enabled him to be an understanding helper to troubled people of all ages.

When Jesus entered his teenage years, he found himself as the head and only provider for his large family. He became increasingly aware that he existed before coming to earth and that his purpose was to show his heavenly Father to people. No young person on any world has ever faced more difficult problems than Jesus did during these stressful years from fifteen to twenty.

Because Jesus experienced these challenging teenage years, he gained complete understanding of the struggles young people face. This firsthand knowledge allowed him to become a source of comfort for troubled teenagers across all worlds in his universe. Through these experiences, Jesus was earning the right to become the wise and caring ruler of his universe.

Jesus had just completed his difficult transition from childhood to young manhood. He was now a strong and attractive young man with a kind but searching gaze and a friendly yet commanding voice. He showed both human sympathy and divine authority even in everyday situations.

Jesus was finding it harder to communicate with his family as time went on. They could not understand why he rejected the idea of becoming the Jewish deliverer, which his mother had led them to believe was his destiny. He spent this year mostly working at the carpenter's bench, only sometimes discussing his future with his mother since his words made little impression on her beliefs.

During this year, there was growing sentiment in Judea against paying taxes to Rome. A group of nationalists came to Nazareth seeking supporters, but Jesus refused to join their cause. His refusal divided the youth of the town, with about half following the nationalists and the other half waiting for Jesus to lead them.

Jesus faced a difficult decision when offered financial support for his family if he would lead the more moderate patriots of Nazareth. He declined this offer, stating that his first duty was to his family. His speech to the townspeople explained that even though he had a "life mission," he had given it up temporarily to fulfill his responsibility to his widowed mother and eight siblings.

This year, Jesus and his family sold their remaining property except their home and garden. Jesus decided to take James to Jerusalem for the Passover festival. They walked through Samaria, and Jesus taught James about their people's history along the way.

At Jerusalem, Jesus did not ask questions at the temple as he had at age twelve. He explained to James that his "hour had not yet come." James was disappointed that Jesus remained silent during the temple discussions. When they returned home, Jesus continued working in the repair shop and provided for his family.

By this time, Jesus and his mother were getting along better. She regarded him less as a son and more as a father to her children. The family now included four boys and three girls, and they devoted their attention to supporting and raising them.

Jesus established a positive approach to child training, always saying "You should do this" instead of "You should not do that." He disciplined his siblings fairly and consistently, which earned their respect. He made time to listen to their problems and gave them wise advice that helped them grow into good people.

While Jesus was poor, he was highly respected in Nazareth. Rebecca, the oldest daughter of a wealthy merchant named Ezra, fell in love with Jesus. She first told his sister Miriam, who then told Mary about it. Mary became worried that she might lose her son, who had become essential to the family.

Mary and Miriam tried to discourage Rebecca, but she was determined. When Rebecca spoke directly to Jesus, he kindly explained that his first duty was to raise his father's family. He told her he could not consider marriage until that responsibility was fulfilled and that if he was a "son of destiny," he must wait for his destiny to be revealed.

The story of Rebecca's love for Jesus spread throughout Nazareth and later in Capernaum. After this, many women loved Jesus in a worshipful way rather than seeking his affection. Jesus' sister Miriam, knowing how he had put aside personal happiness for family duty, grew to love him both as a father and a brother.

Jesus traveled to Jerusalem for the Passover festival, mainly to visit his friends Lazarus, Martha, and Mary. During this visit, Jesus and his friends celebrated the Passover without the traditional lamb, explaining that God was not concerned with "childlike and meaningless rituals." This year, Jesus continued developing his human and divine natures into an effective human personality.