20.1 The Bible tells us much more about Jesus' childhood and early
development than we usually realize, and there is a great deal more that we can learn from
Jewish customs and from Justin Martyr, (one of the early church fathers).
20.2 We take up the story where we left off : After Herod the Great
died, Joseph took Mary and the young child, Jesus, from Egypt back to Nazareth. Jesus grew
up there in fulfillment of the Old Testament Prophecy, "He
shall be called a Nazarene."
20.3 Herod Archelaus became the king of Judea after Herod the Great
died. Archelaus turned out to be just as bad as his father. In the first year of his
reign, before he had even been confirmed as king, he surrounded the temple with Roman
soldiers on horseback and killed 3,000 people at the Passover celebration that was then
taking place. (Because of this, Caesar Augustus would not confirm him as king, but made
him an ethnarch instead.) This was the dreadful news that Joseph learned upon his return
from Egypt, and it is the reason he decided to live in Nazareth, (where Herod Antipas was
ethnarch, not Archelaus). Since this happened in 4 BC we can judge that Jesus spent
much less than a year in Egypt and was still, as the Bible says, a.. "young
child", or an early infant, when Joseph took the family back to Nazareth.
20.4 Nazareth was a small town in those days. Its only water supply
was a small stream, and a small well. Because of this limited water supply, the town could
really only hold about 360 people.
20.5 The Gospel of Luke tells us that, "...
the Child grew and became strong in spirit, filled with wisdom; and the grace of God was
upon Him." Luke 2:40 These few words really tell us a lot about Jesus'
childhood, for "Even a child is known by his deeds, Whether
what he does is pure and right." Proverbs 20:11 Even in early childhood
Jesus had a reputation for being strong in spirit, and filled with wisdom. This is quite
remarkable. It is usually said of old men that they are wise, but Jesus was known
for it in early childhood, even before he went to the temple with his
parents! We can surmise that Jesus was an avid student of the Holy Word of God from
earliest childhood.
20.6 Edersheim tells us that at the time of Christ, all Jewish boys
went to school at the Synagogue to learn how to read. We do not know if Jesus followed
this custom. We do know that he learned to read. How he must have loved God's Word. He
must have read it by the hour. Then, as the days passed, he grew stronger and stronger in
spirit; and the grace of God was upon him. He must have been a delightful child indeed!
20.7 Homes in Nazareth were small. There were only one
or two rooms. The houses were made of stone with an outside staircase
leading to the roof. A shade shelter of poles and branches was built
upon the flat rooftop. On hot summer days some people slept on the
roof. Most families had chickens or goats, a field of wheat, and an
orchard on a hillside. Women used an upright loom to weave clothing for
the family. Cooking was done outdoors. Bread was baked in an
earthen oven. Grinding stones were used to grind grain.
image copyright, Marjorie Nordwall
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20.7 We know that Jesus worked with his father, learning
the trade of a carpenter. We also know that he had four brothers, (whose names were James,
Joses, Judas, and Simon), and that he had at least two sisters.
"Is this not the carpenter, the Son of Mary, and brother of James, Joses, Judas, and
Simon? And are not His sisters here with us?" Mark 6:3 20.8
Over a hundred years later, Justin Martyr wrote that some of the farming implements Jesus
and his father Joseph had made were still in use! This tells us that Joseph and his
Son, Jesus, were excellent craftsmen and that they used only select wood. It also tells us
that they were honest and hard workers. Those traits would have helped them do good
business. Jesus came from a working, middle class family.
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20.9 In those days a carpenter was not a house builder, but a craftsman
who made plows, yokes, farming tools, doors, lattice windows, and household furniture.
Carpentry was very hard work. They had to cut down trees, carry the logs
home, and saw the lumber by hand. Jesus would have become very strong!
20.10 During Jesus' childhood the Romans built a large theater not far
from Nazareth. Joseph may have helped build it. We do know that Jesus was familiar with
the stage, and the acting done at that time. In those days the actors wore masks. The word
"hypocrite" meant an actor, or "one who wears a mask". Jesus used the
word "hypocrite" to describe the Scribes and the Pharisees. This gives us a clue
that perhaps Jesus had seen some of these plays put on at the theater close to His home in
Nazareth.
20.11 Following Jewish custom, Joseph led his family in prayers every
morning. Each day they would have said together, "Love the Lord
your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength." Deuteronomy
6:5
20.12 Jesus' family would have gone to the Synagogue, (Jewish place of
worship), every Saturday. There they would have listened to the Rabbi teaching the
Scriptures, and they would have sung the Psalms with the rest of the congregation.
20.13 Joseph and his family would have also followed the Jewish custom
of celebrating the Passover feast. The Passover Feast was eaten to remember how God had
taken His people, the Israelites, out of slavery in Egypt, and that God would someday send
a Messiah to save the people from slavery to sin.
20.14 Sincere Jews celebrated the Passover Feast in Jerusalem at the
temple, in the province of Judea, (see map). When Jesus was twelve
years old, he would travel with his parents to Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover.
20.16 Luke 2:40 also says that "...the
grace of God was upon Him," (the Child Jesus). This means that God gave him
favor with people. He had a sense of contentment, and well being.
20.17 The Bible says that Jesus was subject to His parents, (Luke
2:51). He honored them. What an example for children today!
20.18 Jesus never sinned... not even in childhood. Even then He was
the perfect Lamb of God. His fellowship with the Father was unbroken.
20.17 Nazareth was a lovely place. Gently rolling hills
surround the town. Wild flowers grow all over the hills. There are gardens,
fields, and vineyards. Groves of fig trees, pomegranates, and date palms dot the
countryside.
20.19 But the town had a bad reputation. It was on the main road
that led from Damascus to Egypt. Caravans stopped at Nazareth. As a caravan stopover
it was known for its backwardness and coarse living.
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