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Boyhood of Jesus

The Lord Jesus Christ was the one perfect being this world has ever known. When He said “follow me,” it was not just in where He went, but in the way He went. From His childhood, He was the perfect example.

An angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in Egypt and told him that it was safe to take Mary and Jesus back to Israel. It was his intention to return to Bethlehem, but when he learned that Herod’s son ruled there, he feared to go. Directed again by the angel, he went to an obscure Galilean village called Nazareth (Matthew 2:19-23).

And there Jesus grew up with his brethren. He was the oldest of five brothers, James, Joses, Simon and Judas, and at least two sisters (Matthew 13:55-56).

At the age of twelve Jesus travelled with His parents to Jerusalem for the feast of the Passover. When they set out for home, Jesus stayed back. Three days later they found Him in the Temple teaching the doctors and answering their questions. It was an amazing spectacle, both to his audience and His parents, to see this mere boy teaching the gospel to the wisest of his day.

“Son,” his mother said, “why hast thou thus dealt with us? Behold thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing” (Luke 2:48).

“How is it that ye sought me,” he said, “wist ye not that I must be about my father’s business” (Luke 2:49).

He had tarried by design to teach and bring souls unto God. Where else should his parents have looked for Him than in the Temple—His Father’s house.

Nevertheless, He obeyed his parents and went home with them. By the age of twelve Jesus knew He was God’s son, not Joseph’s son. However, Jesus was born with no memory of his former glory. Like every other child he grew line upon line and precept upon precept, increasing in wisdom, except, He grew until no man on earth was wise enough to teach Him. He spoke and acted like no other man before or since (JST Matthew2:23). And yet as He grew powerful, He also increased in favor with God and man (Luke 2:52).

He did always those things that pleased His Heavenly Father and consequently the grace of God was upon Him (Luke 2:40) and never left Him. Similarly, He understood love and by that power men loved Him.

Jesus knew who He was and what He was born to do and yet for 30 years He was the carpenter’s son, working under Joseph. All the while waiting—preparing, growing in strength, wisdom, and spirituality. And when it was time, He came out of the Galilee unto Jordan unto John to be baptized, having prepared Himself spiritually, intellectually, physically, and socially, just as we must do if we would go where He went, and become as He was.