0215 JESUS AS A TEEN

JESUS AS A TEENAGER

In this chapter, we get tiny glimpses of Jesus before he began his public ministry at the age of 30. We know from Matthew that he was moved to Egypt by his parents when he was under 3 years old, and that they then moved to Nazareth when Jesus was still young. Luke tells us in verse 40 that “the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom. And the favor of God was upon him.” So while he was young, Jesus was physically healthy, growing strong and tall. He was also growing in wisdom and grace (God’s favor).

Then we get this more extensive story of how he stayed behind in Jerusalem, asking and answering questions with the priests at the temple. And the leaders there were astonished at the wisdom and insight that young Jesus had at such a young age. But Jesus had not communicated with his parents about staying behind in the temple, so they chided their son to not do that again.

That’s where perhaps the greatest miracle in the Bible happened: A TEENAGER HONORED HIS PARENTS! Jesus after the age of twelve was a teenager who was living respectfully with his parents!

And he went down with them and came to Nazareth and was submissive to them. And his mother treasured up all these things in her heart. And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man.

Even as an adult, Jesus was known as the carpenter’s son. Other than that, we have very little information about those young adult years. In Jewish society, they did not categorize young people as “teens.” But they did have a term for adolescents, which referred to them as being in a period of breaking away. Then a son would typically live at home, and even after marriage, move his wife into the family compound, and they would start their family.

The young man’s father would be known at the city gates by this point. Then, at a date at which the father felt his son was ready (no automatic 18 or 21 or such), he would bring the young man to the city gates and publicly introduce his son, saying something along the lines of, “This is my beloved son, in whom I am well pleased.” (Sound familiar?) And the boy officially became a man. Often, that occasion fell around the time that the son was turning 30. The other city fathers would speak a blessing for the son, and he was at last considered to be an adult.

And that’s all we really know about those young adult years of Jesus and his preparation. But if I had the chance, I have a whole list of questions to which I’d like to know the answers.

For example, when Jesus worked as a carpenter with His daddy Joe, did He enjoy working with wood? Did He find peace in the predictable way the stubborn rough surface would give way under the plane’s persistent persuasion? Did He gain a certain manly satisfaction from choosing a stone, and then lifting, measuring and patiently chiseling away until it was a well-balanced, perfect millstone, suitable for profitable use for generations to come (or, possibly, hung around the neck of some unfortunate guy and cast into the sea, never to be heard from again)?

And now I’m wondering why Jesus did no carpentry work once He started His public speaking ministry? I mean, He was a servant to all. He washed feet. He healed people, fed them, cast out demons, met so many needs. Why not whip up a chair for a widow—or fix that hole in the roof after that guy was lowered down through it, now that I think of it? I guess I’m asking, are talent and calling always the same?

And I want to ask, what kind of businessman was Jesus? Did He take on jobs for Samaritans? or Gentiles, even? Did He do free work for widows and orphans? Was He tempted to overcharge, or to cut corners, or to have two different price sets, one for people He liked and one for wealthy strangers? What would it take for a soul to get a discount from the Master?

Did people say of His carpentry work, Jesus doeth all things well? Was He faster at work, or more meticulous, than the average carpenter?

And what did Jesus say when He hit His thumb with a hammer?

When it was time to start preaching, how did Jesus feel about stepping away from the carpentry business?

And while I’m at it, what was Jesus’ final order as a carpenter? Could He have been called on to craft the very cross on which He knew He was to be crucified? After all, it was Jesus who grew the tree in the first place. If so, was Jesus tempted to make it a little smoother than usual, maybe size it to fit the arch of His own back? When Jesus was done, did He say, “it is finished” and then put down His tools and walk away?

Just asking is all.