Page 46 - Advanced Life of Christ - Student Textbook

By this time, Jesus knew who He was and why He was to earth. He knew He was the Messiah.
Surprising his parents, He asked why they sought Him. He reminded them that He was to be about His
Father’s business. In a sense, He reminded them who He was and why He had come. Somehow, his
parents had forgotten that He was God with us. Even after this incident, the Scriptures say that they did
not understand the statement which He spoke to them. The lesson is that Jesus’ childhood was
sufficiently normal, without miracles, and that he grew up as all the other children in the family, yet
without sin.

Jesus being fully human, set aside many Godly attributes such as omniscience and omnipotence so that
He could become 100% human. He had to learn as all other young boys did. It was the practice of
young boys to sit under the tutelage of the learned men of the synagogue during their early years.
Young boys were taught to read and write, and they memorized great portions of the Torah. Evidently
Jesus worked diligently to learn all He could, for while at the temple, the teachers of the law were
“astonished” at His understanding and answers.

Sepphoris – Zippori

This small city is located 3 ½ miles north-northwest of Nazareth. After the death of Herod the Great, a
rebel named Judas, attacked the garrison
there and stole the treasury and weapons to
arm a revolt against Herodian rule. In
response, the Roman governor of Syria burnt
the city down and sold its inhabitants into
slavery.

One of the sons of Herod the Great, Herod
Antipas, was made tetrarch of Galilee. He
rebuilt Sepphoris as his own capital. Josephus
the historian called the new city an
“Ornament of the Galilee.” It is speculated
that Joseph and Jesus might have done
construction work in Sepphoris. While we
think of Joseph as a “carpenter,” the word can
also be translated “stone cutter.” It is nearly
certain that Joseph and all of the boys of his
household – including Jesus – were skilled in From the ruins of Sepphoris, one can see Nazareth on the distant hilltop.
stonework. Jesus might have worked in this With so much construction work going on so close to Nazareth, it is possible
area for several years, assisting Joseph in that Jesus helped build this city.
providing for his family. According to Luke 8:1-4, Jesus was supported by several women, including
“Joanna the wife of Chuza, the manager of Herod’s household.” It is quite possible Chuza was running a
household in Sepphoris, giving even more credence to the idea that Jesus spent time in the city.

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