Luckily, I was strong since I had been working in the carpentry shop, helping My father Joseph handle the heavy lumber. I got the better of them. Still, I was beaten up pretty well, too. On the way home, I felt like Kind David who defended himself against a lion and a bear. When Joseph saw Me, he just looked at my bruises and the cut beneath my eye and said, 'who won?' I told him, 'I did' All he said was, "Good!" My heavenly Father would one day ask me not to defend myself in a fight, but until that fight came, he nnever told me I couldn't stand up for myself. One day in the temple I would stand up for Him and clean out the moneychangers.
From the book~ Jesus: An Interview Across Time~ By Andrew G Hodges
If there is onne thing that I have reservations about with Gods word is the lack of details about the life of the young boy Jesus as He grew into adulthood. However, we today can learn alot about the upbringing of the God child simply by delving into the Jewish culture of the time as well as knowing the nature of a child. One can assume that the boy Jesus would have learned His trade at the feet of His father, Joseph. For this was the custom of the time. We've all seen that famous phrase at one time or another, "My father is a Jewish carpenter!" There is some truth in this statement. In the culture of Jesus' day, a young boy would be expected to learn the trade of his father. This was just how things were done. Consider the future apostles of Jesus, as some were lifelong fishermen. Obviously, they also had learned this trade from their fathers before them. That is, until they became fishers of men. So, if we take a look into Jewish culture of the day, we can get a glimpse of the early life of the boy Jesus...Jesus Bar Joseph (Son of Joseph)
Now there was one, Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, and had lived with a husband seven years from her virginity; and this woman was a widow of about eighty-four years, who did not depart from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day. And coming in that instant she gave thanks to the Lord, and spoke of Him to all those who looked for redemption in Jerusalem. So when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own city, Nazareth. And the child grew and became strong in spirit, filled with wisdom; and the grace of God was upon Him.
Luke 2: 36-40 NKJV
It is here, in Luke 2:40 that we catch yet another glimpse of the boy Jesus. We can assume that Mary and Joseph had brought the young lad to Jerusalem for ceremonial reasons, as we are told they departed when they had "Performed all things according to the law of the Lord." We also can gather from this that Joesph and Mary were Godly parents, but we knew that already. It is here in verse 40 that the scriptures give us a glimpse into the growth of Jesus. For Jesus grew and "Became strong in spirit, filled with wisdom." I will assume here that the boy Jesus had a wisdom beyond His young years, which he displayed a short time later.
When they had finished the days, as they returned, the Boy Jesus lingered behind in Jerusalem. And Joseph and His mother did not know it; but supposing Him to be in the company, they went a day's journey, and sought Him among their relatives and aquaintances. So when they did not fiind Him, they returned to Jerusalem, seeking Him. Now so it was that after three days they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both listening to them and asking them questions. And all who heard Him were astonished at His understanding and answers. So when they saw Him, they were amazed; and His mother said to Him, "Son, why have you done this to us? Look, your father and I have sought you anxiously." And He said to them,"Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father's business?" But they did not understand the statement which He spoke to them.
Luke2: 43-50 NKJV
We can see, that even at this young age, that the Boy Jesus had a sense of just who He was and what His purpose would be. One can imagine the wisdom of this child, for the Jewish teachers he was talking with in the temple were likely well versed in the scriptures of the Lord. Yet, even these well learned Jewish men were "astonished at His understanding and answers." I would speculate that this was no ordinary son of a Jewish carpenter. Yes, He was growing in stature and wisdom, but physically as well. We can also assume that the human side of Jesus that He would let show from time to time in later years, most likely manifested itself as a young Boy as well. A young Boy, fully human, fully God going about His Fathers business.
~Scott~
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