Childhood, divine messengers, the adult ministry of Jesus, and the benefits of Scripture are topics, today, along with additional points on the Savior’s lessons and warnings about repentance found in Luke 13: 1-5 (KJV). The “Yahoo! Answers” writer using ID “Ganesh” (Level 2 with 533 points, a member since January 4, 2010) posted the following:
Can some one enlighten me about Jesus's childhood life.?
I want to know where and how Jesus spent his childhood from his age of 1 to 20 years.
THE BATTLE AXE: Unless You Repent (03/05/2013)—In the incident described from Scripture (Luke 13: 1-5, KJV), Jesus used concerns and questions from the multitude as material for illustrations and parables that would teach the doctrines from GOD. Seeing the opportunity, Jesus announced that there must be repentance, and the time for repentance is now, rather than later. He avoided the issue of himself being from the despised region of Galilee, and shunned an obvious chance to promote the truth that, fulfilling the prophecies of Messiah, he had been born in Bethlehem of Judea. Consider the following points: (1) No specific actions or sins were identified as having been committed, or as demanding the people’s immediate repentance. Jesus spoke to encourage the understanding that repentance is change in ones overall lifestyle and person such that one obtains right standing with GOD. The changes demanded as repentance require divine alterations for the fundamental makeup of mankind, and not merely voluntary change in ones behavior and conduct. The perfection of mankind pertains to many divine goals. Thus, the pressure and urgency for mankind’s repentance is not only from damage and loss by sin; they also derive from ongoing sacred operations and divine processes to transform human nature, and are not merely produced by carnal, material and social conditions upon the earth. (2) When others encounter condemnation, disfavor, obstacles and troubles that you yourself escape this is not an automatic indication of their chastisement by GOD, or of your having divine blessing, favor and reward for your own righteousness. Rightly understood, divine prerogative and grace should come into view. (3) While mankind has no place in its own salvation (the same way it had no place in its own creation), to be in right standing with GOD, there are many actions men first must take, and understandings they must acquire on their own behalf by exercising self-will and volition in cooperation with GOD.
THE GOLDEN ARROW: Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the passover. And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast. And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it. But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day’s journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance. And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him. And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions. And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers. And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing. And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father’s business? And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them. And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart. And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man. (Luke 2: 41-52, King James Version)
THE DOUBLE DAGGER: The Golden Age? (01/10/2013); A Golden Ticket? (11/30/2012); And This Was Good News (12/01/2012); Reading Only The Red Part (11/19/2012); According to the Eternal Purpose (11/20/2012); Why Only Luke (02/22/2012); Returning To GOD (02/23/2012); Girdle 34: The Life Was The Light (12/19/2011); Binder 6: The Plan Of This Work (10/03/2011); Missing Years? (02/25/2011); A Reborn Heart (02/26/2011); Jesus Special? (10/01/2010); Coping? (10/03/2010)
Christian believers are often disappointed when they look to the Bible and other ancient writings for information about the childhood of Jesus. However, they should not be. The Scriptures are intended as a record of divine activity and process; and, provides a divine point of view using incidents from thousands of lives over the course of thousands of years. The holy writings are not biographical and historical in their nature; yet, they are an “official record” of sacred acts, divine motives, eternal promises, and spiritual purposes.
The Scriptures provide a revelation of GOD as Creator, and the place of mankind within the fullness of the universe and the Creation of GOD. As such, the Bible provides details upon such aspects of human experience as (1) establishment of a priesthood in the earth modeled after that in heaven, (2) creation of the “world” (the system put forth by mankind for human survival that includes language, building cities, the rise and fall of kingdoms, and the course of one-world empires), (3) the progressions of divine law and covenant, including instances of judgment against sin, and (4) the fulfillment of divine proclamation, promise and prophecy as response to confession, petition, praise and prayer.
Readers should be pleased that the holy writings emphasize the rich three-and-one-half adult years of ministry performed by Jesus upon the earth along with a vision of his priesthood in the heavens. The full Gospel describes the inheritance of mankind from the Creation of Adam as son of GOD to the conclusion of judgment and the end of all mortality. Rightly understood, the absolute excellence of the Scriptures is that they convey to mankind and instill such substance from the person of Jesus as faith, holiness, humility, forgiveness, joy, longsuffering and wrath against sin.
There is far more to be said, correctly applied, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, generally speaking, believers are safe to apply the rule, “children should be seen and not heard.” In material and social terms they “bring little to the table.” In addition to the limitations of poverty—children have no income from employment or investments; cannot regularly obtain for themselves or others food, clothing shelter and health care; and have little savings—children do not employ critical thinking needed to effectively exercise authority and power. Emotion, fantasy, and imagination often dominate the mental activity of children. As a result their behavior is repeatedly impractical, inconsistent, inefficient, irregular and unfocused. As a stage in human development, childhood should be a time of directed learning, planned growth and preparation, rather than a time of accomplishments, exploits, and resolution for the conflicts, duties and reversals of human relationship. Because children are held to be marginal and unfit as the most correct models for responsible adults and institutions, and may not always command the full cooperation and respect of those to whom they are sent, their service as divine messengers is regularly exploited, overlooked, opposed, slandered and undermined.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.
THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC
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