Paper 124 Overview: The Later Childhood of Jesus

Jesus' upbringing in Nazareth proved more advantageous for his development than studying in Alexandria would have been, despite Alexandria's superior educational opportunities. In Nazareth, Jesus encountered people from all walks of life and various parts of the civilized world, which gave him practical experience and a balanced perspective. His education in Nazareth exposed him to both Eastern (Babylonian) and Western (Hellenic) views of Hebrew theology, preparing him to understand different cultures and belief systems.

During his later childhood years from ages nine through thirteen, Jesus experienced significant physical, intellectual, and spiritual growth. He developed his artistic talents, expanded his knowledge through interactions with travelers, and began recognizing his special life purpose. By age twelve, he was taking on adult responsibilities while navigating the tension between his personal convictions and family obligations. His first Passover journey to Jerusalem at age thirteen marked a crucial transition, as this experience prompted his first formal recognition of his divine mission when a celestial messenger instructed him to begin his "Father's business."

Although Alexandria might have offered Jesus better formal education, Nazareth provided an ideal environment for his development. In Nazareth, Jesus could address life's challenges with minimal guidance while interacting with people from diverse backgrounds, giving him practical wisdom that formal education alone couldn't provide. This real-world experience proved invaluable for his future mission.

The educational environment of Nazareth exposed Jesus to a balanced perspective between Eastern and Western approaches to Jewish religious thought. This balanced upbringing prepared him to better understand and communicate with both Jewish and gentile populations, making him more effective in his future ministry than if he had been educated exclusively in Alexandria's Jewish schools or Jerusalem's tradition-bound academies.

At nine years old, Jesus experienced minor childhood illnesses but remained generally healthy and continued his education as a favored pupil. He divided his free time between accompanying his father on business trips to nearby towns, staying at his uncle's farm south of Nazareth, and going on fishing excursions from Magdala. These diverse experiences broadened his understanding of people and their lives, contributing to his practical education outside of formal schooling.

Jesus faced serious trouble at school when he was caught drawing with charcoal, an activity forbidden by Jewish law as potentially idolatrous. When confronted by the elders who complained to Joseph, Jesus courageously defended his perspective but respectfully agreed to abide by his father's decision on the matter. Though he disagreed with the interpretation of the second commandment that prohibited artistic expression, he gave up his favorite pastime of drawing and modeling out of respect for authority. Later that year, Jesus climbed Mount Tabor with his father, welcomed the birth of his sister Martha, and experienced his first snow and ice, prompting him to think deeply about the physical world—ironically, without knowing that as Creator, he had organized these natural elements throughout the universe.

When Jesus was ten, he first expressed to his parents his growing awareness of his special mission in life. While walking with his father on July 5, he shared feelings and ideas indicating his emerging self-awareness about his unusual life purpose. Joseph listened attentively but offered little response, while Mary paid close attention but avoided discussing it further. Jesus continued asking probing questions at school that sometimes caused disruption, though his classmates saw nothing supernatural in his behavior.

Jesus was well-liked by his peers and often served as their leader, though he refused to fight for himself when challenged. His friend Jacob, the stone mason's son, appointed himself as Jesus' defender and protected him from bullies who might have taken advantage of his peaceful nature. Jesus showed a preference for the company of older individuals with whom he could discuss cultural, educational, and religious matters. He spent two months fishing with his uncle on the Sea of Galilee, becoming highly skilled at the craft, and was generally viewed as a physically advanced, privileged student who managed to maintain good relationships at home despite sometimes being perceived as too confident by parents of less gifted children.

At eleven, Jesus continued his pattern of traveling with his father and making occasional visits to his uncle's farm and fishing near Magdala. His parents wisely avoided showing him special treatment despite knowing he was a child of promise, and both Joseph and Mary faithfully kept their agreement not to mention his special nature to friends and relatives. Jesus spent considerable time at the caravan supply shop conversing with travelers from around the world, acquiring an impressive understanding of international affairs for someone his age.

A significant change occurred in Jesus' life with the birth of his brother Jude in June and his mother's subsequent serious illness. This marked the end of his carefree childhood, as he assumed many responsibilities as the eldest son. The local religious teacher spent one evening each week helping Jesus master the Hebrew scriptures and was impressed by his questions, though perplexed by Jesus' lack of interest in continuing his education in Jerusalem. In May, Jesus had his first experience visiting Scythopolis, a Greek city of the Decapolis, where he was fascinated by the theater and athletic competitions he witnessed there. His father was deeply troubled by Jesus' interest in these "heathen" activities, and became genuinely angry when Jesus suggested building a similar amphitheater in Nazareth, marking the only time Joseph displayed such anger toward his son.

Jesus' twelfth year was pivotal as he continued his education while beginning regular work in the family carpenter shop. He was allowed to manage his own earnings and became increasingly discreet about his special nature, having learned that revealing his differences caused problems in the community. During this year, he experienced periods of uncertainty about his mission as his developing human mind struggled to comprehend his dual nature—the challenge of having a single personality with origins both human and divine.

Jesus improved his relationships with his siblings during this time, getting along well with most family members though still experiencing some friction with Joseph and Jude. He devoted more attention to music and became increasingly aware of the differing viewpoints his parents held regarding his future mission—his mother expected him to become a Jewish Messiah and political deliverer, while his father leaned toward a more spiritual interpretation of his destiny. Jesus also questioned certain religious practices, such as touching the parchment on the doorpost, pointing out their essentially idolatrous nature. He experienced mental distress as he worked to adjust his personal religious views while remaining respectfully obedient to his parents, learning to create harmony between his convictions and family obligations.

At thirteen, Jesus began the transition from boyhood to young manhood, with his voice changing and other physical developments marking this passage. His family continued to grow with the birth of his baby brother Amos in January, adding another child to the family that Jesus would later care for after his father's death. By mid-February, Jesus became humanly certain that he was destined to perform a special mission on earth to enlighten humanity and reveal God, a realization that led to momentous decisions and far-reaching plans forming in his young mind.

On March 20, Jesus formally graduated from the synagogue school, being pronounced a "son of the commandment" and officially transitioning to adult religious responsibility in Jewish culture. His teacher confidently believed Jesus was destined for greatness, and the family began making plans for him to continue his education in Jerusalem. However, Jesus was increasingly certain he would not follow this expected path, though he didn't yet anticipate the family tragedy that would soon require him to assume responsibility for supporting his mother and siblings. His experience raising his family would prove to be more extensive than even his father had experienced, preparing him for his future role as a wise and patient teacher.

Having reached the threshold of young manhood and completed his synagogue schooling, Jesus traveled with his parents to Jerusalem to celebrate his first Passover. A group of 103 travelers departed from Nazareth on April 4, taking the Jordan valley route to avoid passing through Samaria, which Jews typically avoided. As they journeyed, Jesus heard stories about Israel's history connected with the locations they passed, including tales of ancient kings, prophets, and heroes that enriched his understanding of his heritage.

The four-day journey provided Jesus with his first views of the Jordan River, Jericho, the Mount of Olives, and finally Jerusalem itself. When he first glimpsed Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives, Jesus experienced a profound emotional response—a purely human thrill that would later be paralleled when he wept over the city in his final days. During his time in Jerusalem, Jesus was deeply impressed by the temple and its services, though he questioned the necessity of animal sacrifices. On the day before the Passover Sabbath, he experienced an extraordinary spiritual illumination and that night received a visit from a celestial messenger from Salvington who told him, "The hour has come. It is time that you began to be about your Father's business." This marked the beginning of Jesus' conscious assumption of the responsibilities associated with his identity as Creator of his universe.