Paper 128 Overview: Jesus' Early Manhood

Jesus lived a normal human life, just like other people, while also fulfilling his divine purpose. He had two main reasons for coming to earth: to experience what it was like to be human, and to reveal the Universal Father to people. During his early adult years, Jesus worked as a carpenter, supported his family, and prepared for his future teaching ministry while living an ordinary life.

As a young adult, Jesus took care of his family responsibilities, earned money as a skilled craftsman, and slowly prepared for his future work of teaching about God. He was careful not to draw too much attention to himself during these years. He wanted people to focus on his message rather than on him as a person when he later began his public teaching.

Jesus entered his adult years living a normal human life while also being divine. He chose this world for his final incarnation as a human. As he grew up, he experienced all the normal things humans do, including struggling with problems and working to support himself and his family.

Jesus had two main purposes for coming to earth. First, he wanted to experience what it was like to be fully human. Second, he wanted to show people what God was like. These were his most important goals, and everything else he did was less important compared to these two purposes.

When Jesus turned 21, he fully accepted the challenge of living as both a human and divine being. He was well aware that he was a man born of a woman, and he chose to call himself the "Son of Man." He experienced everything humans do - he worked, got tired, rested, slept, felt hungry, and felt thirsty.

Jesus gained knowledge and experience just like other humans do. Before his baptism, he didn't use any supernatural powers. He chose to live his life in a natural way, without drawing on his divine abilities. This allowed him to fully experience what it was like to be human and to understand the struggles people face.

During this year, Jesus helped his brothers and sisters deal with the challenges of growing up. His siblings were between 7 and 18 years old, and Jesus helped them adjust to the emotional and mental changes they were experiencing as they grew up.

Jesus continued working as a carpenter but also learned metalworking in Sepphoris for six months. Before leaving, he made James (who was just past 18) the head of the family. Jesus was wisely preparing his family to function without him. He visited them on Sabbaths and gradually trained James and Joseph to take on more responsibility.

This year, the family's finances improved a little because four family members were working. Jesus took a three-week break from work to take Simon to Jerusalem for Passover. They traveled through many cities and regions, giving Jesus a better knowledge of Palestine.

In Jerusalem, Jesus met a merchant from Damascus who invited him to join his business. However, Jesus explained that he couldn't go so far from his family at that time. During this trip, Jesus also met a young Greek named Stephen, who later became a believer in Jesus's teachings and was the first Christian martyr.

Jesus spent four months in Damascus as a guest of a merchant he had met in Philadelphia. This merchant wanted to give a lot of money to start a school of religious philosophy in Damascus. He asked Jesus to be the head of this school after traveling around the world to study at different learning centers.

Jesus showed interest in the school but declined the offer. He knew his mission on earth wasn't supposed to be supported by learning institutions. He didn't want to be directed by "councils of men" no matter how well they meant. Later in his life, Jesus heard this story told by others but never revealed that he was the Galilean who had turned down this opportunity.

This was Jesus's first year with fewer family responsibilities. James was successfully managing the home with Jesus's advice and financial help. A young man from Alexandria came to arrange a meeting between Jesus and some Jews from Alexandria who wanted him to become a religious teacher in their city.

Jesus met with five prominent Alexandrian Jews in Caesarea. They asked him to come to Alexandria, saying it would become the center of Jewish culture. They warned about possible rebellion in Jerusalem that could lead to destruction. Jesus listened but declined their invitation, saying, "My hour has not yet come."

This year, all the children except Martha finished their regular schooling. Jesus was a strong and refined man with an active, sharp mind. The family finances were in good shape, with all debts paid off and some money saved.

Jesus took his brother Jude to Jerusalem for Passover. While there, Jude got in trouble with a Roman guard for making disrespectful comments. Jesus stayed with Jude in prison until he was released two days later. This was the last Passover Jesus attended with any family member as he was starting to separate from family life.

Jesus became aware of his wide range of potential powers but decided not to use them as the Son of Man until "his hour should come." He thought about his relationship with his Father in heaven and remained committed to following his Father's will.

Family affairs went smoothly except for issues with Jude, who wasn't reliable about working or contributing to family expenses. Jesus counseled patience with Jude, saying, "Be patient and wise in your counsel... that your young brother may first know the better way and then be constrained to follow you in it." Jesus was preparing to leave home, gradually weaning his family from depending on him.

Jesus took a break from his family and home activities to go to Tiberias. He then visited Magdala, Bethsaida, and Capernaum, where he stayed with Zebedee, his father's friend. Zebedee was a boatbuilder, and Jesus, being an expert at woodworking, agreed to work with him.

Jesus worked with Zebedee for a little more than a year. During this time, he created a new style of boat and better methods for making boats. He lived in Zebedee's home and got to know his family well. Jesus continued to send money to his family each month during this time.