The Younger Years of Jesus
YOUNGER YEARS
There are no details regarding the young life of Jesus until He reached the age of ministry, about thirty years old. Yes, many fictitious and far-fetched writings have been discovered which supposedly describe certain events in His young years, but these are obvious fraudulent writings from someone’s active imagination.
The only story of Jesus in the entirety of Scriptures is a single account of Jesus as a “tween” in Luke, chapter three. Jesus was twelve years old. [Ludovico Mazzolino Painting of 1524] Jesus’ family like any good, religious Jewish folks attended the Feast of the Passover in Jerusalem. Apparently many of them traveled together to and from the Feast. It seems as if Jesus was a typical young boy. He probably was hanging out with other friends, so as the large groups walked home together, Jesus was not missed for a considerable period of time. After all, He was more than likely with friends or His relatives.
When He was finally missed by Joseph and Mary, Jesus could not be found. They hunted for Him, and asked all of their friends and relatives. No one knew of his whereabouts. So they finally returned to Jerusalem and found Him in the temple, sitting with the teachers “both listening to them and asking them questions.” And the Scriptures say, “And all who heard Him were astonished at His understanding and answers” (Luke 2:47, NKJV).
His folks were likewise amazed, along with a little miffed to say the least. Mary said to Him, “Son, why have You done this to us? Look, Your father and I have sought You anxiously” (Luke 2:48, NKJV).
Jesus answered them, “Why is it that you sought Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business?” (Luke 2:49, NKJV).
Here we see both sides of Jesus. He was a natural, ordinary tween or teen boy who didn’t tell his parents where he was going and got in trouble because of it. Yet, how many twelve year old boys could astonish the most scholarly teachers of the Jewish Law with His answers about God? How many kids were so preoccupied with, focused on, learning about God that nothing else mattered much? How many young kids at that age are centered exclusively on God’s will for their lives?
We see Jesus as an ordinary youth and also as someone unique who undoubtedly had a special calling from God. No, we do not yet see Him (nor did anyone else) as the Messiah, the Son of God. That will be revealed later.
Jesus’ parents were baffled by His response (Luke 2:50), “I must be about My Father’s business.” It was, though, a revealing clue regarding His “being” and His mission.
I can imagine Mary giving Joseph, His father, “the look,” because Jesus said (more or less) he was following His father’s wishes. You know that stern look which says “You’re in trouble too.” And Joseph cowering in fear trying to defend himself, “I-I didn’t tell Him to come here. I knew nothing about it. I don’t know what he’s talking about.”
Jesus was not referring to His earthly father’s (Joseph’s) business. He was, at this young age, attending to His Heavenly Father God’s business. He was learning and growing at this young age in order to carry out His Father’s will later as an adult. He was preparing even now to preach and teach and heal and eventually lay down His life on a cross when the time came.
YOUNGER YEARS
There are no details regarding the young life of Jesus until He reached the age of ministry, about thirty years old. Yes, many fictitious and far-fetched writings have been discovered which supposedly describe certain events in His young years, but these are obvious fraudulent writings from someone’s active imagination.
The only story of Jesus in the entirety of Scriptures is a single account of Jesus as a “tween” in Luke, chapter three. Jesus was twelve years old. [Ludovico Mazzolino Painting of 1524] Jesus’ family like any good, religious Jewish folks attended the Feast of the Passover in Jerusalem. Apparently many of them traveled together to and from the Feast. It seems as if Jesus was a typical young boy. He probably was hanging out with other friends, so as the large groups walked home together, Jesus was not missed for a considerable period of time. After all, He was more than likely with friends or His relatives.
When He was finally missed by Joseph and Mary, Jesus could not be found. They hunted for Him, and asked all of their friends and relatives. No one knew of his whereabouts. So they finally returned to Jerusalem and found Him in the temple, sitting with the teachers “both listening to them and asking them questions.” And the Scriptures say, “And all who heard Him were astonished at His understanding and answers” (Luke 2:47, NKJV).
His folks were likewise amazed, along with a little miffed to say the least. Mary said to Him, “Son, why have You done this to us? Look, Your father and I have sought You anxiously” (Luke 2:48, NKJV).
Jesus answered them, “Why is it that you sought Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business?” (Luke 2:49, NKJV).
Here we see both sides of Jesus. He was a natural, ordinary tween or teen boy who didn’t tell his parents where he was going and got in trouble because of it. Yet, how many twelve year old boys could astonish the most scholarly teachers of the Jewish Law with His answers about God? How many kids were so preoccupied with, focused on, learning about God that nothing else mattered much? How many young kids at that age are centered exclusively on God’s will for their lives?
We see Jesus as an ordinary youth and also as someone unique who undoubtedly had a special calling from God. No, we do not yet see Him (nor did anyone else) as the Messiah, the Son of God. That will be revealed later.
Jesus’ parents were baffled by His response (Luke 2:50), “I must be about My Father’s business.” It was, though, a revealing clue regarding His “being” and His mission.
I can imagine Mary giving Joseph, His father, “the look,” because Jesus said (more or less) he was following His father’s wishes. You know that stern look which says “You’re in trouble too.” And Joseph cowering in fear trying to defend himself, “I-I didn’t tell Him to come here. I knew nothing about it. I don’t know what he’s talking about.”
Jesus was not referring to His earthly father’s (Joseph’s) business. He was, at this young age, attending to His Heavenly Father God’s business. He was learning and growing at this young age in order to carry out His Father’s will later as an adult. He was preparing even now to preach and teach and heal and eventually lay down His life on a cross when the time came.
