Urantia Book 5. Jesus, in hanging at the workshop at Nazareth, had the opportunity to make constant contact with a large number of men and women from every part of the civilized world. This, more than higher Hebrew education, prepared him to understand gentiles and gave him a balanced idea of the Babylonian and Hellenic views of Hebrew theology. When Jesus was 9 in AD 3, he got into trouble at school. The Jews allowed no statues, drawings or paintings, considering them idolatrous. Jesus drew a charcoal picture of the teacher on the floor of the schoolroom. Another student told the teacher, and a big fuss ensued. The elders sent a committee to Joseph “to demand that something be done to suppress the lawlessness of his eldest son” (124.1.4). This was the most serious of all the many accusations that Mary and Joseph had faced. Jesus didn’t like his parents being blamed for his misdeeds, so he confronted his accusers. The adults had various reactions to this assertive upstart. But he finally announced he would obey Joseph in this and all other controversial matters. The committee left silently. Jesus was prohibited from making objects out of clay, a favorite activity. Joseph decreed that the rabbinical interpretation of the 2nd commandment should prevail, so Jesus never drew again, either. This was the year that Jesus’ second sister, Martha, was born, on Thursday night, September 13. Joseph built an addition on their house, a combined workshop and bedroom. A small workbench was made for Jesus and he was given his own tools. On and off he would work at this bench, and became expert in the making of yokes. During the winter there was ice, and Jesus pondered the fact that water had three forms: solid, liquid and vapor. And yet this child had created the universe and decided what form the animals would take, decided what form the will creatures on planets would take, decided what kind of vegetation habitable planets would have.********** When Jesus was 10 years old, he became the leader of a group of boys who formed themselves into a society for promoting the acquirements of manhood—physical, intellectual and religious. Also, Jesus introduced new games and physical recreation. When Jesus was 10 in AD 4 he, while on a walk with Joseph, revealed that he was somewhat conscious of his mission. Later, he revealed the same to Mary. Neither parent asked a question or said anything. It was 2 years before Jesus revealed to his parents again that he was aware of the nature of his personality and the character of his mission on earth. At school Jesus continued asking questions, but he had one outstanding trait: he was unwilling to fight for his rights. He was strong and well-developed for his age, so it was strange that he let himself be abused. His friend, Jacob, however, so to it that Jesus was not harmed. Oddly, Jesus was the leader of the boys; he was fair and sympathetic. About this time Jesus started visiting with older people. He liked to talk about culture, education, social and economic issues, and political and religious ideas. But Mary and Joseph tried to steer Jesus to children his own age. Some of the parents of the other children spoke of Jesus as being too pert and lacking in proper humility. Jesus tended to direct the other children into a thoughtful mode. He played teacher with them. “Joseph and Mary were often tempted to show some special favoritism for Jesus or otherwise to betray their knowledge that he was a child of promise, a son of destiny… The few times they did in any manner exhibit any preference for him, even in the slightest degree, the lad was quick to refuse all such special consideration”(124.3.2)***************** Joseph instructed Jesus in the many ways to gain a livelihood, explaining to him the advantages of agriculture over industry and trade. But in a trip to the Lake of Galilee, he decided to be a fisherman. Later, his father’s work influenced him to become a carpenter. Still later, a combination of influences led him to the final choice–to become a religious teacher of a new order. On Wednesday, June 24, AD 5, Jude was born, Jesus was 11 years old. Mary was ill with this baby and Joseph had to stay at home to take care of her. He sent Jesus on numerous errands. This is when Jesus lost his childhood, and the world became a serious place. “From the time of his mother’s illness he was compelled to assume the responsibilities of the first-born son and do all this one or two years before these burdens should normally had fallen on his shoulders” (124.3.4). The rabbi continued to help Jesus at home, but he couldn’t understand why Jesus was so indifferent to studying with the learned rabbis at Jerusalem. In the middle of May, Jesus went with Joseph to the Greek city of Scythopolis. Jesus was impressed with how clean it was and the well-ordered arrangement of the beautiful buildings. He was amazed at the marble temple dedicated to a pagan god. There were annual games taking place, and Jesus begged Joseph to take him. Joseph didn’t understand any of Jesus’ reactions to this city, but he let Jesus drag him to the games. Later, Joseph tried to convince Jesus that the games were pagan and evil, but Jesus wasn’t on his frequency. Nor did Jesus realize he was in danger. Jesus went on and on and thought it would be great to have games and competition in Nazareth. At this point Joseph exploded and told Jesus a lot of things about being Jewish vs. being pagan, which Jesus should have known by then and then told Jesus “never to express an such an evil thought again.” Jesus was shocked because Joseph had never revealed this side of himself before. Later, though, he used these games as recreation for his Apostles.***** When Jesus was 12 in AD 6, he began doing regular work in the carpenter shop. He was allowed to manage his own money, which was unusual in Jewish families. He also learned to keep such matters secret in the family. He also became conscious of the ways he had caused trouble in the village, and became discrete in the ways he was different from the other children. “But his natural developing human mind did not yet fully grasp the reality of his dual nature. The fact that he had a single personality rendered it difficult for his consciousness to recognize the double origin of those factors which composed the nature associated with that self-same personality” (124.4.2) Jesus took pains to get along with his brothers and sisters, but he had trouble with Jude. Joseph and Mary increasingly realized that there was something superhuman in Jesus, but it never occurred to them that he was the Creator of the universe. They lived and died not knowing that unbelievable fact about their son. Jesus, at 12 years old, taught the home school for his younger brothers and sisters. During this year Jesus had a conflict between two great commandments: 1.” Be loyal to the highest convictions of truth and righteousness. and 2. Honor your father and mother, for they have given you life and the nurture there-of…Jesus was able to blend these personal convictions and family obligations into a concept of group solidarity based on loyalty, fairness, tolerance and love.”