Issues

It is unfortunately the case that no details of Jesus’ younger years have come down to us, with the exception of the account describing the twelve-year-old Jesus being presented in the temple to the scribes and Pharisees. The explanations in this themed issue are able to fill this gap in the Christian tradition. They give insight into Jesus’ childhood and family life. Holy Scripture states: when the Son of God took on human incarnation, he became fully human in every way (cf. Philippians 2:7; Hebrews 2:17). Spirit-teachers Joseph and Lene explain that this also holds true for his childhood. Jesus grew up in a family with numerous brothers and sisters, and he behaved like other children and adolescents. Only as he grew up did he distinguish himself by a special devoutness and a certain intelligence. Already at a young age, he disagreed with much that was taught in the Jewish religion. When Holy Scripture was read in his family, he raised many objections and interpreted it in a way they were not accustomed to. This led to differences of opinion in the family and brought him many reproaches. Only when Jesus performed his first miracle at a relative’s wedding did his siblings begin to change their attitude toward their eldest brother.

This themed issue also contains information on the professional activities of the young Jesus, who first worked as an assistant to his father before he made a name for himself as an artistic designer and adviser.