What was Jesus doing?
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Anonymous
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I've honestly questioned this throughout my life.
Where was Jesus from age 12 to 30? How could it be that 18 years of his life is just glossed over? I know many theologians claim scriptures don't mention it because those years just weren't "important" to his ministry but I still find it difficult to understand. What are your thoughts? |
Anonymous
| He was working with his dad. Jesus was a carpenter. |
Anonymous
It's such a common story. Deadbeat dad, stepfather steps up, loves him, cares for him, sets some appropriate limits and suddenly he's off in search of the first guy. No loyalty whatsoever! |
Anonymous
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NP, follow -up q:
Did Jesus have a bar mitzah? |
Anonymous
The bar mitzvah tradition as we know it is not that old. |
Anonymous
| He was a carpenter. |
Anonymous
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As the Jewish Messiah, Jesus was a descendant of King David from the tribe of Judah (Matthew 1:1–17; 2:1–6). According to ancient Jewish law and custom, thirty years was considered the age of full maturity, physically and mentally, and suitable for high degrees of responsibility: “David was thirty years old when he became king” (2 Samuel 5:4); “Joseph was thirty years old when he entered the service of Pharaoh” (Genesis 41:46). The Jewish Levites began their priestly service at age thirty (Numbers 4:3, 23, 30, 35).
Jesus had to be at least thirty years old if the experts in Judaism were to view Him as an authentic rabbi. Christ was called “Rabbi” by His own disciples. Other than Luke 2:41–52, the Bible does not tell us anything about Jesus’ youth. From this incident we do know certain things about Jesus’ childhood. First, He was the son of parents who were devout in their religious observances. As required in the law, Joseph and Mary made the yearly pilgrimage to Jerusalem for the Feast of the Passover. When Jesus was 12 years old, they brought Him along on the trip to celebrate the Feast with them. From this incident to His baptism at age 30, all we know of Jesus’ youth was that He left Jerusalem and returned to Nazareth with His parents and “was obedient to them” Luke 2:51. He fulfilled His duty to His earthly parents in submission to the 5th commandment, an essential part of the perfect obedience to the law of Moses which He rendered on our behalf. Beyond that, all we know is that “Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men" (Luke 2:52) |
Anonymous
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“Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men" (Luke 2:52)
Ok, but how did he do that? What did he do to increase his wisdom and stature? Certainly not just by being an obedient son and a carpenter. Gaining stature is usually tied to some sort of achievement or special ability. Growing in wisdom is usually from experience and learning. If that's true, wouldn't those key years be worthy of more than a brief, passing mention? |
Anonymous
I’m a practicing Catholic but have a sense of humor. This made me laugh out loud just now. |
Anonymous
Thank you! I wrote it and I’m a practicing Catholic too! |
Anonymous
In this context stature means physical size. He grew up. He became a man, presumably a strong one since he was doing physical labor. He gained wisdom from growing up and studying Torah and facing adult challenges, and from the model of his parents who were presumably ideal parents given who chose them. |
Anonymous
He didn't make wine until after 30. |
Anonymous
+1 He did what Jewish boys did. Jesus was a peasant boy. |
Anonymous
Perhaps there’s more in the non canonical gospels. |
Anonymous
| “Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business?” |