Musick-al note # 61
Little is said in the Scriptures concerning Jesus’ early life as a baby or as he began to grow up. Mary kept remembering the words of the angel Gabriel who had spoken to her and how the angels had sung of His coming as related by the shepherds. Luke stated that ‘the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom; and the grace of God was upon him (Luke 2:40). Joseph and Mary undoubtedly taught Jesus the circumstances of His birth and the Word of God as faithful Jews, but I can imagine that His wisdom amazed them. He remained an obedient child until the fateful trip to Jerusalem at age twelve. After the Passover, Joseph and Mary started their journey back to Nazareth, but Jesus stayed behind. On the third day they found him in the temple with the teachers, listening and asking questions. All who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. When questioned about his actions, he replied, “Did you not know I must be in my father’s house?” They did not understand what he was saying, but he went with them and was submissive to them. Mary treasured all these things in her heart. Nothing more is said about his life until adulthood.
What was Jesus doing? As every faithful Jew, Jesus helped his mother with his younger siblings, went to school in the synagogue, worshipped on the Sabbath, read the scriptures (Luke 4:16) and provided for his family. Since Joseph is never mentioned again, it is supposed that he died and Jesus became responsible for the family. We know that he became a carpenter in Nazareth (Mark 1:9, 6:1-3). When he was about thirty years of age, he heard the preaching of John the baptizer and was baptized (Luke 3:21-22. Anointed with the Holy Spirit, he left his home and began his work of preaching (Luke 4:1-32).
Gordon Musick
Musick-al Notes 