Urantia Book 7. The life of Jesus of Nazareth, Joshua ben Joseph, Christ Michael, Sovereign God of Nebadon. On the first day of the week after Passover ended, the company who had come to Jerusalem together arranged to meet near the Temple. While his parents were waiting for others to gather, Jesus went into the Temple to hear discussions. He was left behind when the company departed, men together and women together. The Bible is accurate on this incident, but it doesn’t convey the length of time his parents looked for Jesus. Jesus was so absorbed in these conferences that he did not realize the passage of time. His parents didn’t miss him because Mary thought he was with Joseph (now that he was a man), and Joseph thought he was with Mary because he had come with the women. They did not notice his absence until they stopped for the night at Jericho. They asked all the travelers had they seen Jesus but they received negative answers all around. They spent a sleepless night, wondering what could have happened to him. Jesus was enjoying the Temple after the Passover crowds had left Jerusalem. The atmosphere was quiet and decorous. Jesus went to Lazarus’ house for the night and spent the evening in the garden meditating. The next morning Jesus decided to take part in the discussions. Joseph and Mary came back to Jerusalem and looked for him everywhere. Jesus, in the discussions, asked questions, and “Sometimes his pointed questions were somewhat embarrassing to the learned teachers of Jewish law, but he evinced such a spirit of candid fairness, coupled with an evident hunger for knowledge, that the majority of the Temple teachers were disposed to treat him with every consideration” (125.4.3). But Jesus brought down the wrath on himself of a teacher when he questioned putting to death a drunken gentile who had wondered too close to the Holy of Holies. Jesus spent his second night in Bethany and again meditated in the garden. These meditations were very deep because they involved his future. On the third day people gathered at the conferences to see Jesus confuse the teachers of the law. He was gaining quite a reputation. Meanwhile, his parents were looking for him all over the Temple. By the end of the day, Jesus had focused the entire attention of the chief discussion group by asking these questions: “1.What really exists behind the veil in the Holy of Holies? 2.Why should mothers in Israel be segregated from the male Temple worshipers? 3. If God is a Father who loves his children, why all this slaughter of animals to gain divine favor–has the teaching of Moses been misunderstood? 4. Since the Temple has been dedicated to the worship of the Father in heaven, is it consistent to permit the presence of those who engage in secular barter and trade? 5. Is the expected Messiah to become a temporal prince to sit on the throne of David, or is he to function as the light of life in the establishment of a spiritual kingdom?” (125.5.2-7). Jesus actually taught his elders through the questions he asked them. His questions were thought-provoking and heart-searching. By the subtle phrasing of a question he would challenge their teaching and suggest his own. Jesus had a combination of humor and wisdom that endeared him to even those who resented his youthfulness. That night he again went to Bethany and meditated on how to enlighten his fellows. He was interested in one thing: to proclaim everlasting truth and thus effect a fuller revelation of the eternal God (125.5.8). As he meditated he tried to think of some kind of lifework in which he could reveal to his spiritually blinded countrymen a concept of a loving Father; and set them free from their bondage to the law. But he received no light on these questions.******************************* I have a problem with Jesus’ lack of awareness that his parents might be worried about him. I can only understand it if Jesus is in a fugue brought on by God-hood suddenly entering his psyche. He wouldn’t be able to think of anything else. And the way he charms the elders–an average boy could never do that.********* On the fourth day Lazarus’ mother remarked that Jesus’ parents must be home by now. This passed right over Jesus’ head. That afternoon the leader of the discussion invited Jesus to come up, sit by him and talk about his views on prayer and worship. At this time Jesus’ parents decided to take one last walk through the Temple. Imagine their surprise when they recognized the voice that was expounding to the elders! And soon they saw him sitting among the teachers. When Mary rebuked Jesus, it was close to the Bible: “My child, why have you treated us like this? It is now more than three days that your father and I have been searching for you sorrowing. Whatever possessed you to desert us?” (125.6.5). Being treated like a child in front of these teachers must have been acutely embarrassing to Jesus. But Jesus didn’t show the anger he may have felt. Instead, the UB says, “the lad was equal to the occasion.” He answered, “Why is it that you have so long sought me? Would you not expect to find me in my Father’s house since the time has come when I should be about my Father’s business?” (125.6.7)********************* When leaving Jerusalem, Jesus paused on the brow of Olivet, raised his staff and quivering from head to foot with the surging of intense emotion, said: “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem and the people thereof, what slaves you are–subservient to the Roman yoke, and victims of your own traditions–but I will return to cleanse yonder Temple and deliver my people from this bondage” (125.6.9).