1 Staying with his family in Nazareth exposed Jesus to more than just Jewish culture. He was a Jew, but he was there for all of humanity. He gave no preference to any people or religion. Nazareth provided a worldly environment that better prepared him for his future mission.
2 At school, Jesus got caught drawing a picture of his chazan. This was against Jewish law. The religious leaders blamed Joseph. Jesus challenged them. He said the law was stupid, but also, that he’d broken it. He promised to never disobey again while living at home.
3 Sister Martha was born September 13, A.D. 3. Joseph built Jesus his own workbench. This winter was colder, and Jesus saw ice for the first time. His mind was growing. His Thought Adjuster was active, and Jesus was starting to sense he had a special mission on Earth.
4 At 10 years old, Jesus entered the advanced school. The adults were troubled by his constant questioning of the Jewish law. His buddies were wondering why he never hit back to defend himself. Jacob the stone mason’s son took on the role of being Jesus’ protector.
5 Brother Jude was born on Wednesday, June 24, A.D. 5. It was a hard birth. Joseph had to stay home from work. Jesus had to take on extra responsibilities caring for Mary and raising his sisters and brothers. This was his last year being a kid. The chazan continued to tutor him.
6 Joseph took Jesus with him on a trip to Scythopolis, a big Greek city in Palestine. The people there were gentiles. The Jews thought that gentiles were unclean heathens who worshipped false gods. It was forbidden for Jews to associate with gentiles, except for business.
7 Jesus loved Scythopolis. It was clean and modern with water, sewers, trash collectors, etc. They arrived when the athletic games were happening. Jesus convinced Joseph to watch them. Jesus liked the games and wanted to start them in Nazareth. Joseph flipped out and got mad.
8 Jesus started keeping his thoughts hidden. His mind was trying to blend the human and the divine. He’s the creator of the universe, yet a child of the world. Mary and Joseph could see changes happening. It was difficult, and they deserve the highest respect for raising Jesus.
9 It was hard to fool Jesus. He called out hypocrites and laws and traditions that didn’t make sense. He could do this because it was Nazareth. But he still had to balance his duty to God with his duty to his parents. He had to obey both, even if they weren’t always the same.
10 On January 9, Amos was born. Jesus entered puberty when he was 13 years old. Everyone else saw him as normal. But now he knew that he’s on Earth to teach us the truth about God his Father. As this becomes clearer in his mind, Jesus starts to plan his mission.
11 Jesus graduated school on March 20, A.D. 7. He was an adult learned in Jewish traditions and could attend the Passover in Jerusalem. Jews from all around the world came to celebrate the feast. Mary wasn’t going to attend because it wasn’t for women, but Jesus insisted.
12 On the way to Passover, the family stopped in Bethany. They met Simon and his 3 kids, Martha, Mary, and Lazarus. Outside of Jerusalem, Jesus stood on the Mount of Olives for the first time. He was excited seeing the city below. They stayed with relatives that Passover week.
13 Passover was a blood-letting. Thousands of animals were slaughtered. They believed this pleased God. Jesus was offended: for him, it was obscene. That night an angel visited Jesus and told him it was time to be about his Father’s business. The universe watched in suspense.
Okay everyone, those are the highlights of Son of Man, Chapter 3, “The Later Childhood of Jesus.” This week’s Chapter 4 is, “Jesus at Jerusalem.” Enjoy, my friends, and have a super week.