Urantia Book 12. The life of Jesus of Nazareth, Joshua ben Joseph, Christ Michael, Sovereign God of the Universe of Nebadon. During Jesus’ 26th year (AD 20), he became aware that “he possessed a wide range of potential power, but it was not to be employed by his personality as the Son of Man, at least not until his hour should come” (128.7.1). The UB says it was literally true–that “in him were hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” There were thousands of angels looking in on Jesus’ progress, delighting in his every word and act. Things were running smooth at home, except for Jude. He lived at home, but wouldn’t pay his share of the family expenses. He would embarrass Jesus with his sudden patriotic outbursts and his dangerous exploits. James and Joseph wanted to kick him out of the house, but Jesus wouldn’t consent. When they complained about Jude, Jesus would just say “Be patient.” Jesus hoped that Jude would imitate his older brothers if they were compassionate to him. But Jude didn’t change for a long time. Jesus was himself preparing the family for the day when he could be consistently out of the picture. In addition to revealing his Father to Humankind, he had another goal: “He had to untangle the complicated affairs of this planet as they were related to the Lucifer rebellion” (128.7.6). This year Jesus, having leisure time, trained James in the caravan repair shop. He also trained Joseph in managing the household. Mary sensed that Jesus was planning to leave; she had given up on the idea that he was the Messiah; she didn’t understand him at all, and this caused her much grief. Jesus would take each family member for long walks up the hill and around the countryside. He took Jude to an uncle to do harvesting, but Jude ran away. Simon found him working with a fisherman and brought him back home. Jude and Jesus reached an agreement, and Jude worked as a fisherman until and after he was married. He sent money home and was no trouble after he started work as a fisherman. This marked the time when all Jesus’ brothers were established in their life work, and Jesus could leave without abandoning them or his mother. In November a double wedding took place: James and Esta and Jacob and Miriam. Mary was happy for the newlyweds, but sad about Jesus. She knew he was leaving, but he wouldn’t talk about it. She desperately wanted him to communicate with her, especially about his plans; “he was profoundly silent about the future.” James’ contributions to the family were cut in half; he now had the upkeep of his own nice house given to the bridal pair by Esta’s father. Jesus now formally installed Joseph as head of household. Jude was sending his wages home each month. Martha took Miriam’s place in the home, and things were running smoothly by the end of the year. The day after the double wedding, Jesus had a secret conference with James. He told James that he was planning to leave home. He gave full title to the repair shop to James, abdicated as head of house, and established James as head and protector of his father’s house. They signed a secret pact that James would be responsible for the family, and Jesus would be released from all further obligations. Jesus did, however, promise to send money home to use as James saw fit.********************* Jesus did not easily separate from his family. He loved all of them and was concerned for their welfare. He would do anything for the comfort and happiness of his widowed mother. He had been preparing the family for his departure for 4 years, so they were not shocked to see him leave. When he was 27 (AD 21), Jesus departed on a rainy Sunday morning without fuss, only telling his family that he was going to Tiberius and other cities around the Sea of Galilee. He drifted to Capernaum, where he stopped to visit his father’s friend, Zebedee. Zebedee’s sons were fishermen, and Zebedee himself was a boatbuilder. Jesus was an expert in designing and building; at working with wood. Zebedee had been planning to build better boats and laid his plans before Jesus. He invited Jesus to help him build these boats, and Jesus readily consented. Jesus worked with Zebedee for a year, but in that time “he created a new style of boat and established entirely new methods of boatbuilding…(they) began to build boats of a very superior type, craft which were far more safe for sailing the lake than were the older types…Jesus became well-known to the Galilean fisherfolk as the designer of the new boats” (129.1.3). Zebedee’s wife, Salome, loved Jesus as she loved her sons James, John and David, and they learned that Jesus was also a great fisherman. Jesus lived with the Zebedees, but each month sent home money to James. He returned home in October to attend Martha’s wedding. Two years later he would come home again to attend the double wedding of Simon and Jude.************************************As Jesus was building boats, he was observing people and how they lived on earth. He would frequently visit the Capernaum caravan station. There was a Roman military post nearby of which the commanding officer was a gentile believer in Yahweh. His family was wealthy, so he built a beautiful synagogue in Capernaum and presented it to the Jews shortly before Jesus arrived in the city. Jesus conducted the services in this synagogue about half of the time he spent with the Zebedees. When it came time for Jesus to pay taxes, he registered himself as “skilled craftsman of Capernaum.” From then on he was known as a resident of Capernaum. There were many new books in the synagogue, and Jesus studied these books at least 5 evenings a week. The Zebedees worshiped Jesus, and Jesus had a question and answer session for them after dinner every night. He gave instruction at the level they could understand. He discussed his ideas about politics, sociology, science, philosophy, but never presumed to speak with “authoritative finality,” except when discussing religion–the relation of man to God. Young people were drawn to Jesus, I think, because he was non-threatening and interested in what they had to say. He loved people; he was interested in people. And the UB says he didn’t give unsolicited advice.********************************** Once a week Jesus held a meeting for all of Zebedee’s employees. This is the time he started being called “Master.” They all loved him. This year Jesus made higher levels of contact with his Thought Adjuster. This was the last year he would have a permanent home. But before his teaching career could begin, he had “a few years of extensive travel and highly diversified personal activity” before him.
Urantia Book 11. The life of Jesus of Nazareth, Joshua ben Joseph, Christ Michael, Sovereign God of the Universe of Nebadon. The year Jesus was 22 (AD 16) Simon graduated from school and became a stone mason in partnership with Jesus’ old friend Jacob. Jesus spent most of his time at the caravan repair shop soaking up news and information from all the world. The family decided they should diversify–not all become carpenters. When work was slack, Jesus went to Sepphoris and worked in metals. After 6 months he acquired considerable skill at the anvil. Jesus called together a family conference and solemnly installed James, who had recently turned 18, as acting head of the house. James assumed full financial responsibility. Jesus gave to James his wages on a weekly schedule, and he never intended to take back the position of head of household. Neither did he come home every night. He wanted to train James and Joseph in taking responsibility for the family. He was in the process of weaning his family from him. He came home on the Sabbath and during the week “to observe the working of the new plan, to give advice and offer helpful suggestions” (128.2.4). Living and working in Sepphoris gave Jesus an opportunity to study gentiles, habits of living, attitudes and minds. After 6 months he found that this city of Herod Antipas possessed such low morals that he anticipated his trips back to Nazareth. Jesus finally moved back home and to the caravan repair shop, but he left James and Joseph in charge of the house. After James ran the household for 2 years, Joseph started managing the household.** In Jesus’ 23rd year (AD 17) there was less financial pressure because 4 of the older boys were working. And Miriam earned a considerable amount selling milk and butter. Martha too was working; she had become an expert weaver. Jesus stopped work for 3 weeks to take Simon to Passover in Jerusalem. It was the longest vacation he ever had. The brothers met a rich merchant who invited Jesus to enter his Oriental import business. Jesus thought about seeing all the wonderful places he would like to see, but he told the merchant he had family obligations. While Simon was going through the ceremonies, Jesus talked to gentile proselytes (gentiles who are studying to join the Hebrew faith). Incidentally, Judaism was well respected in the ancient world for its moral laws, its family values and its monotheism. Jesus did go to Damascus to visit the merchant and stayed 4 months. The merchant had a proposal that was the greatest temptation that Jesus faced thus far in his life. The merchant wanted to found a school in Damascus, and he wanted Jesus to 1) travel the world and look at the best schools and 2) be the head of a school of religious philosophy. And the merchant brought before Jesus 12 more merchants who supported this project. Jesus would not consent due to prior “obligations”—-very vague obligations. Jesus knew he couldn’t be trapped in other men’s plans and ideas.****************************** The UB says that the disciples twisted the meaning of Jesus religion. Jesus’ religion was about the love of the Father, the mercy and forgiveness of God, the Fatherhood of God. Most of all, God was not the vengeful god in the Hebrew scriptures. Jesus’ religion was not about Jesus. But the disciples made their religion about Jesus and Paul invented Christ. Paul literally invented the Christian religion. The UB says: “Very early he recognized that his followers would be tempted to formulate a religion ABOUT him which might become a competitor of the gospel of the kingdom that he intended to proclaim to the world” (128.4.6). And he did not want men to believe in him unless their hearts were responsive to the spiritual realities revealed in his teachings (UB).********** By Jesus’ 24th year (AD 18) he was comparatively free of family responsibility. James was excellent at home management, with occasional counsel from Jesus. After Passover of this year Jesus had a conference in Caesarea with 5 prominent Jews of Alexandria. They wanted him to set himself up as a religious teacher in Alexandria, where they would give him the position of assistant to the chazan in their chief synagogue. They predicted a revolt in Jerusalem, at which time the Temple would be destroyed, leaving Alexandria as the only center of Jewish learning. And Alexandria is already becoming the chief intellectual and religious city in the Empire. Jesus, of course, declined with the vague reason that “my hour has not yet come…” He also refused a money gift meant to defray the expenses of the trip to Caesarea.**************************** The rest of the year was uneventful. James told Jesus that he wanted to marry a girl named Esta. He would train Joseph for 2 years and then be ready to marry. And then marriage was in the air. Miriam came and put her plans before Jesus. Jacob was now a business associate of James and Joseph, and Jacob had wanted to marry Miriam for a long time. Jesus told Miriam that Jacob would have to come to him and ask for her, and he would consent when Martha was trained in the duties of the eldest daughter.**** When Jesus was 25 (AD 19), he took Jude to Passover in Jerusalem, where Jude got in trouble. A Roman guard made a lewd remark about a Jewish woman, which Jude heard. So Jude expressed his resentment about everything Roman–in the guard’s face. Jude was taken to the prison, and Jesus went with him to help. As a result, Jude was never consecrated as a son of the commonwealth of Israel. The magistrate let them go and suggested that Jesus keep a tighter rein on Jude. But he was always a problem for Jesus. This was the last Passover Jesus attended with a family member. He started to drift away from the family and toward his destiny as the Son of Man.
Urantia Book 10. The life of Jesus of Nazareth, Joshua ben Joseph, Christ Michael, Sovereign God of the Universe of Nebadon. By Jesus’ 19th year, he and Mary were getting along much better. She thought of him less as a son and more like a father to her children. Also, I suppose she had given up trying to control him. Jesus won his mother over to positive methods of child-training–the injunction to do good in place of the older Jewish method of forbidding to do evil. He would later use the positive injunction to do good in his teaching career. As a result of Jesus’ positive methods, little or no punishment was ever required to secure the children’s prompt obedience. The exception was bad-boy Jude, and his punishment was meted out by the older children and agreed to by Jude himself. Regarding rules, Jesus had a casual elasticity which endeared him to the children. James and Simon tried to follow Jesus and not fight with other boys; they used persuasion and non-resistance, and were fairly successful at it. But Joseph and Jude defended themselves while giving lip-service to non-violence at home. “But non-resistance was not a rule of the family; no penalty was attached to the violation of personal teachings” (127.4.5).******************************* “James was a well-balanced and even-tempered youth, but not as spiritually inclined as Jesus. Joseph was a plodder, and not up to the intellectual level of the other children. Simon was a well-meaning boy but too much of a dreamer. Jude was a firebrand. He had the highest ideals, but he was unstable in temperament…Miriam was a well-balanced and level-headed daughter with a keen appreciation of things noble and spiritual. Martha was slow in thought and action but a very dependable and efficient child. Baby Ruth was the sunshine of the home…she just about worshiped her big brother and father…Miriam was the belle of the family, if not of the city” (127.4.7-8).***** This year Jude started school, and it was necessary for Jesus to sell his harp to defray expenses. He was comforted by the thought that the tax collector couldn’t confiscate it. Jesus was very attractive to the young women of Nazareth. Although his family was poor, that in no way affected his social standing. Since Jesus was an intellectual and religious leader, as well as being physically attractive, it’s no wonder that Rebecca, the eldest daughter of Ezra, a wealthy merchant, should find herself finding herself falling in love with him. She confided this to Miriam, who told her mother, Mary. Mary was intensely aroused by this news. Was she about to lose the head of the house? Would troubles never cease? What next would happen? And then she thought of his career–wasn’t he a child of promise? Mary and Miriam decided to stop this threat before Jesus heard about it. They went to Rebecca and told her it was impossible for her to marry Jesus because they believed he was the Messiah. This only excited Rebecca more; she was determined to take care of Jesus as he fulfilled whatever role he was destined for. Rebecca’s father offered to support the family of Jesus if he married Rebecca. Mary still wouldn’t give her consent. Rebecca went straight to Jesus. Rebecca’s father and then Rebecca put the marriage proposal before Jesus, and he listened politely. Jesus said to Rebecca that her proposal would cheer and comfort him all his life, but—there’s always a but—“He made it clear that his first and paramount duty was the rearing of his father’s family; that he could not consider marriage until that was accomplished; and then he added: If I am a son of destiny, I must not assume obligations of life-long duration until such time as my destiny shall be made manifest” (127.5.5). Rebecca was heartbroken, and when Jesus began his career of revealing his heavenly Father, she was in the corp of those women who traveled with him and took care of the needs of everybody. She stood at the foot of the cross with Mary.******************* The year that Jesus turned 20 (AD 14) he was well on his way to mastering the skills he would need to preach his themes. “He very nearly mastered the technique of utilizing the energy of the spiritual drive to turn the mechanism of material achievement. He slowly learned how to live the heavenly life while continuing with an earthly existence…he continued to experience life in mortal flesh, a full, representative, replete life on Urantia. He left this world ripe in the experience which his creatures pass through during the short and strenuous years of their first life, the life in the flesh. And all this human experience is an eternal possession of the Universe Sovereign. He is our understanding brother, sympathetic friend, experienced sovereign and merciful father” (127.6.12-13). We must pause here and discuss the identity of Jesus. Jesus’ real name is Michael. He is one of 700,000 Creator Sons produced by the Universal Father and the mother side of the Eternal Son. Each local universe is ruled by a Creator Son and they are named Michael. The Trinity on Paradise Isle is composed of the Universal Father, the Eternal Son and the Infinite Spirit. Each Creator Son has a Mother Spirit, a Consort donated by the Infinite Spirit, who works with him to create everything that’s in the universe. She is also called the Holy Spirit and the Divine Minister. And she is the source of life. As for Jesus, he was also called Christ Michael because Christ means anointed. Also, Jesus is the Word in John 1. Going along with the Genesis account, the Word created the world. It is actually Jesus/Creator Son in Genesis who is creating everything. In his 21st year Jesus figured out that he was a Creator Son of the Paradise Father. He did not hesitate to say publicly that he was the Son of God. He declared that “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last. He made no protest later when people called him Lord of Glory, Ruler of the Universe, Lord God of all Creation, Holy One of Israel, Lord of all and God with us.” During Jesus’ 21st year he took Joseph to Passover in Jerusalem. Joseph tried to pull information from Jesus about his future plans, asking many leading questions, but Jesus would only say, “My hour has not yet come..” (128.1.15).
Urantia Book 9. The life of Jesus of Nazareth, Joshua ben Joseph, Christ Michael, Sovereign God of the universe of Nebadon. In fact, “Jesus’ life is the everlasting comfort of all disappointed idealists.” Jesus’ wages as a carpenter were the equivalent of 25 cents/day. They found it difficult to pay the taxes: civil taxes, synagogue assessments and the Temple tax of 1/2 shekel. The tax collector tried to squeeze more money out of Jesus, and Jesus feared that the Greek Bible would be confiscated. He decided to keep it safe by donating it to the synagogue library. And the family had a shock when Herod Antipas decided they would get nothing due to Joseph’s death. This was a blow. Jesus could no longer get the news by going to the caravan parking lot; he was in the house helping Mary. So he sent James to get the news. Jesus was too busy for “idle meditation” and “indulgence of mystic tendencies.” This year Jesus bought a large piece of land near their house, and each of them had their own garden. They had a competition to see who could grow the best garden. They now possessed three cows, four sheep, a flock of chickens, a donkey and a dog, in addition to the doves. For Jesus, “with the 15th year, the growth period for mind and body had ended, and now began the real career of this young man of Nazareth” (126.5.12). From 15 to 20 Jesus earned the right by his experiences to become sovereign of his universe. He became increasingly conscious of his pre-existence, and that he was on earth to reveal the Paradise Father to the children of men. When he turned 16 (AD 10), he attained his full physical growth. “Always, even in the most commonplace of contacts, there seemed to be in evidence the touch of a two-fold nature, the human and the divine” (127.1.2). He was always the sympathetic friend and the authoritative teacher. “This physically strong and robust young man also acquired the full growth of his human intellect, not the full experience of human thinking, but the fullness of capacity for such intellectual development. He possessed a healthy and well-proportioned body, a keen and analytical mind, a kind and sympathetic disposition, a somewhat fluctuating but aggressive temperament, all of which were becoming organized into a strong, striking and attractive personality” (127.1.3). Jesus confused his family, especially his mother. Mary would tell the children that Jesus was the Messiah, the deliverer of the Jewish people. When the children went to Jesus with this tale, he would deny everything. Also, his conversations were way above the heads of the family. He must have tried to teach them advanced theology–maybe he was practicing on his family. Judging by his parables, he must have given up on advanced theology. Simon started school this year, and they were forced to sell another house. What poor person owns houses, I ask? James took over the home-teaching, mainly his younger sisters. Mary and Jesus believed that girls should be educated, and the synagogue wouldn’t admit them. All this year Jesus was busy at the workbench. His work was so good that he never lacked customers. His plans began to gel: after the girls were married, he would begin his career as a teacher of truth and revealer to the world of his heavenly Father. He knew he wasn’t the Messiah, but chose not to have this conversation with Mary. In fact, his mission was so “peculiar” that there was no person who could listen and give him appropriate feedback.****************** When Jesus was 17 (AD 11), the Zealot Party was formed with the intention of revolting against the Roman occupation. They came to Nazareth looking for recruits. When they tried to recruit Jesus, he asked many questions, but in the end turned them down. Many of Jesus’ friends turned them down, too, as a result. But complications arose. The men who didn’t join the Zealots formed their own nationalist party and wanted Jesus to be their leader. Jesus gently turned them down. But then a wealthy Jew named Isaac offered to support Jesus’ family if he would join. Jesus was cornered! Everyone in his family urged him to join the cause. All the men who didn’t enlist would enlist if Jesus did. Jesus couldn’t tell them the reason he couldn’t enlist. He couldn’t tell them he was more than a man. Meanwhile, the whole town was in a hubbub. And all this turmoil was because of him! When he declined, he used his family as the reason, or maybe the excuse, that “he could not in clear conscience release himself from the obligation which a cruel accident had thrust upon him” (127.2.8). The UB says he made the never-to-be-forgotten statement that “money cannot love.” James, having been coached by the rabbi, gave a little speech which ended the tension, although Jesus was never again so popular in Nazareth. But Jesus this year had progressed in uniting the divine and human natures in his mind. He did it by making his own decisions and communing with his Thought Adjuster.** When Jesus was 18 (AD 12), he took James to Passover in Jerusalem. As they walked Jesus pointed out famous places in the Hebrew scriptures. James was very religious and looked forward to the time when Jesus would be free to start his ministry. They discussed many weighty issues. Jesus especially prepared James for the conditions at the Temple. They had the Passover meal at Bethany. Jesus, Martha and Lazarus talked late into the night. The next day James was accepted into the commonwealth of Israel. After they returned home, the rabbi formed a young men’s club for discussion of philosophy. Jesus was a prominent member, and by this means, gained back some of his popularity lost over the nationalist controversy. In September Elizabeth and John came to visit. John and Jesus had long, intimate conversations. They decided not to see each other until their public missions had begun. On Saturday, December 3, Amos, their baby brother died after a week of illness with a high fever. Mary, finally, in passing through this time of sorrow, recognized Jesus as the real head of the family. But their poverty depressed Mary, and Jesus would say, “Mother Mary, sorrow will not help us; we are all doing our best, and mother’s smile, perchance, might even inspire us to do better…His sturdy and practical optimism was truly contagious; all the children lived in an atmosphere of anticipation of better times and better things. And this hopeful courage contributed mightily to the development of strong and noble characters, despite the depressiveness of their poverty” (127.3.13).
Urantia Book 8. The life of Jesus of Nazareth, Joshua ben Joseph, Christ Michael, Sovereign God of the Universe of Nebadon. During Jesus’ 14th year he was already expert at making yokes (they are put around a draft animal’s neck to pull a load), good with both canvas and leather and an expert cabinetmaker and carpenter. He was coming more self-conscious of the nature of his bestowal and meditated deeply about this bestowal. He continued advanced studies with synagogue teachers in Nazareth and continued to teach his brothers and sisters. Joseph and Mary had many doubts about Jesus because nothing miraculous ever happened. Mary was constantly disheartened by her expectations that Jesus would do something superhuman. But he refused to do anything special, Indeed, he didn’t even know she had these “great expectations.” Also, he was so difficult to understand. For all that, the future seemed bright, and Jesus was allowed to take music lessons on the harp. The future seems bright until it doesn’t. On Tuesday, September 25, a runner from Sepphoris came with a message that Joseph had been injured by the fall of a derrick while at work on the governor’s residence. Mary ran to Joseph’s side, taking James, now 10, and leaving Jesus in charge of the other children. Joseph died of his injuries before Mary could reach him. Joseph was brought to Nazareth and buried the next day. All future plans for this family were apparently smashed by a cruel fate. Jesus awoke to the fact that ” he had not only to fulfill the commission of his heavenly Father to reveal the divine nature on earth and in the flesh, but that his young human nature must also shoulder the responsibility of caring for his widowed mother and seven brothers and sisters–and another yet to be born. This lad of Nazareth now became the sole support and comfort of this so suddenly bereaved family” (126.2.2). These events were ordained to give Jesus “heavy but highly educational and disciplinary responsibilities attendant upon becoming the head of a human family, of becoming father to his own brothers and sisters, of supporting and protecting his mother, of functioning as guardian of his father’s home, the only home he was to know while on this world” (126.2.2). Jesus cheerfully accepted this responsibility; a problem had been solved for him: he wouldn’t be going to Jerusalem Temple School when he turned 15.*************** Jesus, as the years passed, measured religious and other institutions by this test: what does it do for the human soul? Does it bring God to man? Does it bring man to God? He devoted his time and energy to just two purposes: the care of his family and the preparation to do his Father’s heavenly will on earth (126.2.5). Jesus proved to be a good money manager, and Joseph had left enough money to keep the family from poverty. And Jesus had keen business and financial judgment. By the time Jesus was 15 (AD 9), he had a firm grip on the management of his family. They had run out of Joseph’s money and were forced to sell a house which Joseph co-owned with his neighbor Jacob. On Wednesday, April 17, AD 9 Ruth, the baby of the family was born. Jesus tried to give Ruth the love of a father. Also this year Jesus composed “The Lord’s Prayer,” which he would later teach to his Apostles. Jesus tried to teach his younger siblings to pray spontaneously, making up their own prayers, but it was a losing battle. They would constantly fall back into rote prayers. Jesus finally gave up.********** During this year, Jesus was troubled by confusion. He obviously couldn’t be about his Father’s business–he was weighed down with responsibilities. He rightly assumed that his first priority was the care of his family. At the same time he was making progress spiritually. He was reading a passage in the Book of Enoch, and the title ‘Son of Man’ was found in the passage. He had been wondering about his own designation as an Incarnated teacher and decided ‘Son of Man’ was just right. Also, he had spent many hours thinking about the Jewish Messiah, and “was firmly convinced that he was not to be that Messiah” (126.3.5). He didn’t see himself leading armies or sitting on a throne. Neither did he see his message as only to the Jews. He didn’t see himself fulfilling the Messianic prophecies in the Hebrew scriptures. Nor would he appear as the Son of Man depicted by the Prophet Daniel. Jesus said nothing to his mother about these plans and ideas; she still held on to the idea that he was the Jewish Messiah. Jesus wondered–Was he really a Jew? Was he of the House of David? His father said he was not. Had the prophets confused the nature and mission of the Messiah? How would he recognize a Messiah if one should appear in Nazareth? What would be his relation to this Messiah?*************************** With money disappearing, Mary turned dove-selling over to James and bought a second cow. With the help of Miriam, they sold milk to their neighbors. With his frequent trips to the hill, his profound meditations and his strange ideas, Jesus thoroughly alarmed his mother. But Jesus was learning not to express every thought he had, especially thoughts that the average person can’t understand. I know the feeling. My previous blog was information about how the Illuminati and related forces are trying to destroy humanity, especially Americans. Some of the information was complicated and to some people could be conspiracy theories, although it was well-researched. There was also classified information in the blog that I obtained through underground resources. When I tell my relatives this kind of information, they think I’m crazy, so I know how Jesus felt. Now, back to the blog. “From this year on, Jesus’ disclosures about what was going on in his mind steadily diminished; he talked less about these things… which would lead to his being regarded as peculiar or different from ordinary folks” (126.3.13). Touche! Here’s a conspiracy theory. I had all kinds of trouble when I was typing the blog about the Illuminati. For example, I would be half-way finished and the text would disappear. This happened at least 3 times. There were other things as well, like I couldn’t see the last line as I was typing it–I couldn’t see it until I started typing the next line. The website is odd, too, but I won’t even get into that. Now I’ve started a blog about Jesus and I’m having none of those problems. For me, a picture is starting to emerge. Is someone monitoring my work? Did someone hack into my computer? Who would even care enough to interfere with my work? Why would anyone even care about my opinions? Would they care about the information in the blog? The same information is in the public domain. But maybe somebody doesn’t like how I connected the dots. OH WELL.OH HELL.
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).
Urantia Book 6. The story of Jesus of Nazareth, Joshua ben Joseph, Christ Michael, God of the Universe of Nebadon. In Jesus’ 13th year (AD 7) he passed into manhood due to several experiences. His voice started to change. He also became assured that he had a special mission for the enlightenment of man and the revelation of God. Also, on Sunday night, January 9, his brother Amos was born. On March 20 Jesus graduated from the course of training at the Nazareth synagogue. “This was a great day in the life of any ambitious Jewish family, the day when the first-born son was pronounced “a son of commandment” and the ransomed first-born of the Lord God of Israel, “a child of the Most High” and servant of the Lord of all the earth” (124.5.4). To explain: Yahweh demanded the sacrifice of the first-born male child, but He waived that sacrifice and settled for the dedication of the child to Himself. Joseph traveled from a work site to be present at the graduation. He was in charge of the work on a new public building in Sepphoris. The elders were very proud of Jesus and planned his further education in Jerusalem at the “renowned Hebrew academies.” Jesus knew he wouldn’t be fulfilling these plans, but had no idea that he would be raising his brothers and sisters, making higher education impossible.************ Jesus attended his first Passover, which fell on April 9. The family departed for Jerusalem as part of a group of 103 worshipers. They traveled through Archelaus’ region, but he had been deposed, so there was nothing to fear. By the 4th day the road was clogged with worshipers attending Passover. When Joseph told Jesus that the Holy City lay just beyond the next ridge, his “heart beat fast with joyous anticipation of soon beholding the city and house of his heavenly Father” (124.5.8). At Bethany the family was invited to rest and have a snack. Mary, Martha and Lazarus were about the age of Jesus, and they became lifelong friends. Jesus experienced his first human thrill in gazing down on Jerusalem from Olivet. As they hurried through Jerusalem, Jesus was impressed by the crowds, who came from every part of the known world. The family stayed in the large house of a relative who knew the story of Jesus and John through Zacharias. Joseph took Jesus to the Temple where it was planned that he would continue his education when he reached 15 years of age. Joseph couldn’t understand Jesus’ lack of interest in these plans. But Jesus did ask some embarrassing questions, such as why the heavenly Father required the death of so many helpless and innocent animals.**** “The day before the Passover Sabbath was one of the most extraordinary days that the Son of God spent in the flesh; and during the night, for the first time in his earth career, there appeared to him an assigned messenger from Salvington, commissioned by Immanuel, and this messenger said, “The hour has come. It is time that you began to be about your Father’s business.”” (124.6.15). The UB interprets this message to mean that Jesus must now take responsibility of running the universe as well as continue his bestowal activities. He was 13 at the time, so I’m not sure I agree with the UB interpretation of the message. I think the message means that he should start to preach the Word or the Revelation of God. He did decide to go back to Salvington after his Baptism, but he grew up after the experience at Passover.***** Jesus was consecrated in the Temple, another milestone in his becoming a man. He was shocked, indignant and angry that his mother wasn’t allowed to witness his consecration–no women were allowed–there was a women’s court for women. He was also disappointed with the routine, perfunctory nature of the ritual. Afterwards, Joseph took Jesus on a tour of the Temple, which could hold 200,000 worshipers at one time. Jesus heard too much about God’s anger and punishment. He did not accept explanations of worship and religious devotion which involved belief in the wrath of God or the anger of the Almighty. When Joseph insisted that Jesus accept orthodox Jewish beliefs, Jesus appealed to Joseph, saying, “My father, it cannot be true–the Father in heaven cannot so regard his erring children on earth. The heavenly Father cannot love his children less than you love me. And I well know, no matter what unwise thing I might do, you would never pour out wrath upon me, nor vent anger against me. If you, my earthly father, possess such human reflections of the Divine, how much more must the heavenly Father be filled with goodness and overflowing with mercy. I refuse to believe that my Father in heaven loves me less that my father on earth” (125.0.6). Jesus was sickened by the court of the gentiles: noise, bleating of sheep, cursing, fighting, money changers, prostitutes, screams of dying animals–he couldn’t believe this was happening in his Father’s house. Farther in, the priests slaughtered the animals: more dying animals, blood, blood all over the priests. And the smell! And everywhere he went, he was depressed by the spirit of irreverence, and noise, clamor and yelling. Jesus complained to his parents about all this, but they didn’t say anything. They never again tried to change his mind about his Father’s love and mercy.**************** Jesus’ family celebrated Passover with his friends in Bethany. He was asked to recount the origin of Passover, but, to his parents’ chagrin, he included comments on the condition of the Temple. Jesus began to think of someday having a bloodless Passover–no lamb. His sleep was very disturbed that night, with dreams of slaughter and suffering. His mind and heart were tortured by the eyes of the innocent animals. He obsessed about the inconsistencies of the theology of the Jewish ceremonial system. His parents couldn’t sleep, either. They were upset by their son’s strange reaction to everything. Why was this not a good experience for Jesus? Why was he reacting this way? Why was he different? They were both afraid to talk to Jesus, but he would have freely told them what was in his mind. In fact, he should have had somebody he could have talked to. The next day was much better for Jesus. Lazarus took Jesus to parts of the Temple where discussions took place, and they spent a large part of the day listening to these discussions. Also the day’s services were more acceptable to Jesus. He also visited the Holy of Holys and reflected on what might or might not be behind the curtain. During Passover week Jesus was deep in contemplation of many problems that he had to work out in order to assume the status of a man and a God. His parents would come upon him sitting with his head in his hands, and this caused them to want him safely back in Nazareth.
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.”
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The Good Guys and the Bad Guys 