PART I
The Early Years
Jesus
- The Jewish Kid Next Door
Back in the day, when Jesus was young, he was just another kid running
around with his brothers, sisters, cousins and friends in a small dusty town -
repeat - another Jewish kid running
around in a Jewish town. And that
Jewish identity can’t be underplayed. Jesus was immersed in his religious
heritage every second of every day.
His
Jewish family, like all others was large, extended and very close knit. Grandparents
lived close by, as well as aunts and uncles. So, a goodly number of Jesus’
playmates were not only his siblings, but also first and second cousins. These
were the relationships that would surround him, mold him and remain with him
his whole life. He would go to one cousin for a ritual baptism, and others
would join him as disciples.
His gang of playmates ran freely throughout the village and surrounding
fields and farmlands. The natural world was an unending playground – a safe
place without the fears modern parents harbor today. Family and friends were
always close by.
Once a week Sabbath was observed and began at sun down. Jesus’ mother, Mary, like all other wives and
mothers would lead the family in prayer over that evening’s meal. On the next
morning, Jesus and his brothers would go with their Dad to the local synagogue.
Note, synagogues were meeting places in each village. In Jesus’ day
there was only one Temple – and that was in Jerusalem. On the Sabbath, the responsibility
of all Dads became apparent. Boys were expected to be literate and able to read
scripture aloud before the other men and their sons in the synagogue. Joseph,
therefore, made sure to teach his sons Scripture, something that Jesus and his
brothers probably had to study every day. Take note, however, another part of
Jesus’ training also occurred at this time. He and all the other boys learned to
engage in what usually ended up being loud and emotionally charged debate on
the meaning of scripture, not just between themselves, but with the learned men
around them. Jews in the first century just loved ‘in your face’ discussion
about everything – business, politics, and religion.
And so, from a very young age, Jesus with his brothers, cousins and
friends struggled, studied and probably complained about their excellent
regiment of study that included not just scripture but also the history of the
Jewish nation and its culture. I can’t help feeling that the fun part, however,
was probably practicing the fine art of successful debate and argument among
themselves and the adults around them.
This skill was to come in handy when the grown Jesus debated with the
scribes who continually trailed behind and challenged him during his ministry.
But, that will be covered in another snapshot.
. . .For now, we will leave this
snapshot of the young Jesus, happily being just a kid.
Thoughts to Contemplate and Discuss and share on Facebook if you wish
1. How does thinking of Jesus as a Jew
immersed in his religion and Jewish community challenge the conventional
perspective of his childhood?
2. What do you think Jesus did with his
playmates? Do you see him playing as you did, or do you see him as ‘different’
somehow, and what would that be like?
3. Do you notice any similarities to the
system of religious schooling he received to any present day cultures and
religions throughout the world? (Tip: Start with Buddhists children in Tibet
and Muslim children in Afghanistan)
(You can also order a paperback book or ebook if you wish the whole course.
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