Chapter IV

     At exactly what age Jesus began to understand that he was the Son of God and not merely the son of Joseph the carpenter is not known. But by the age of twelve, which may have coincide with his barmitzvah time of becoming able to be recognized as a man of Israel, Jesus was learned and had such scholarly comprehension to astounded the learned professors of the temple. Again at the time of the Passover Jesus had traveled with his family to Jerusalem for the It would not have been uncommon for a lad who had come of age to be reviewed as to his learning, knowledge and understanding at his 'barmitzvah' event. And this seems to be that occation. As would be the case various levels of accomplishment would have been noted for the countless numbers of young men having come of age. Some would have shown some understanding by still very much at the level of a child. Other would have shown more. It may be presumed the Jesus was at the level of a 'child prodigy exemplifying advanced level of understanding even to excell beyond that of most of his adult counter parts so privilaged to participate in the occation.

As the interviews proceeded it would have been likely that such mental check lists were being tallied. For the Messiah was watched for and various seemingly qualified individuals would have been so accessed. Beginning with Jesus name, they would have marked off that he was called by that name so indicated, the Hebrew name of Jehoshua, the prophesied name by which the Christ would be named. On the one hand coumtless numbers of young men with the given name of Jesus would have been so evaluated with most being lined out as not being a likely canidate. Jesus would have been seen to fit in every instance. And the scriptures seem to yield just such an accesment as when Jesus was so they questioned in the temple it states:

" . . . 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." ~ New Testament | Luke 2:46-47

Though it first states that Jesus was hearing them and asking them questions, the latter statement makes it clear that the learned 'doctors' of Rabbis of the faith had been hearing Jesus and they all were astonished by the twelve year old's answers and his understanding. Perhaps it ought to have so been translated in the first place that 'they were hearing him, and asking him questions.'

Upon that visit to Jerusalem at the Passover and about Jesus' twelveth year, when their company, which included various relatives, were again leaving Jerusalem to return to Galilee, Jesus' parents presumed that Jesus was in the company and with 'kinsfolk and their acquaintances'. But after traveling three days, they found and determined that he was not in the returning company. Many and Joseph would have had other children by then and if they were traveling with them, they would have first secured them with members of the company and then immediately returned to Jerusalem in search of Jesus. And when they searched for him in the city, it was in the temple that they found him so still being 'interviewed' by the learned Rabbis who were in wonderment of this Jehoshua's words and teachings. It is likely that they had never heard such from a child coming of age to so be counted in Israel as a man according to their tradition. Certainly even then their wonderment would have included the possiblity of the boy Jesus' true identity.

And when asked by his parents, Mary and Joseph, to his mother's question of, 'Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing.' Jesus did answer with that understanding which did reflect that he knew who he was and who his Father was, as it is recorded that he stated:

"And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business?" ~New Testament | Luke 2:49

This direct reply was not to be hurtfull or demeaning, it was but a simple declaration that he knew well who his Father was, and that He was God the Father of spirits and also his Father of his flesh. Perhaps it is likely that Mary and perhaps Joseph also had confided in Jesus as he had grown in knowledge and wisdom, that he was the promised Son of God. If not then it can only be supposed that the Holy Spirit or some other personal witness had so revealed it unto him. And perhaps Jesus having reached that traditional point of recognition in Israel now days celebrated as Barmitzvah, had thought to so begin that work which his Father had sent him to earth to do. Of course it ] would not be until that much latter date of traditional recognition of a 'Rabbi' in Israel, the age of 30 and if you will also being married, that Jesus would begin his ministery in all earnest.