JESUS AT 14

Paul Bond
©December 2000

For those who say that Jesus at fourteen traveled to India or the Far East:

Whilst this claim may hold some fascination for those ignorant of planetary records and Universe facts, He could not have traveled to this region at that age. At the age of 29, Jesus disguised as the “Damascus Scribe,” traveled extensively throughout the Levant, setting in place a foundation of teaching to assist the latter apostles, particularly Peter and the converted Paul.

Later on at age 30, Jesus traveled to the Caspian Sea region on the edge of the then lands of India. This occurred prior to the Jordan baptism in A.D. 26. (Jesus was almost thirty-one and one-half years when he was baptized.) At age 32, Jesus declared, “My hour has come.”

While Luke says that Jesus was baptized in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, which would be A.D. 29 since Augustus died in A.D. 14, it should be recalled that Caesar was coemperor with Augustus for two and one-half years before the death of Augustus, having had coins struck in his honor in October, A.D. 11. The fifteenth year of his actual rule was, therefore, this very year of A.D. 26, that of Jesus’ baptism. And this was also the year that Pontius Pilate began his rule as governor of Judea.

Joshua ben Joseph, translated to the latter Greek version of "Jesus," was born at 12 noon 21 August, 7 B.C. Always keep in mind that no zero year is mathematically possible in this computation; therefore, it is wise to use the computation of six when computing the years thereafter.

From our planetary records, faithfully kept by unseen watchcarers, the following concerning Jesus at 14:

HIS FOURTEENTH YEAR (A.D. 8)

"This is the calendar year of his fourteenth birthday. He had become a good yoke maker and worked well with both canvas and leather. He was also rapidly developing into an expert carpenter and cabinetmaker. This summer he made frequent trips to the top of the hill to the northwest of Nazareth for prayer and meditation. He was gradually becoming more self-conscious of the nature of his bestowal on earth.

This hill, a little more than one hundred years previously, had been the "high place of Baal," and now it was the site of the tomb of Simeon, a reputed holy man of Israel. From the summit of this hill of Simeon, Jesus looked out over Nazareth and the surrounding country. He would gaze upon Megiddo and recall the story of the Egyptian army winning its first great victory in Asia; and how, later on, another such army defeated the Judean king Josiah. Not far away he could look upon Taanach, where Deborah and Barak defeated Sisera. In the distance he could view the hills of Dothan, where he had been taught Joseph's brethren sold him into Egyptian slavery. He then would shift his gaze over to Ebal and Gerizim and recount to himself the traditions of Abraham, Jacob, and Abimelech. And thus he recalled and turned over in his mind the historic and traditional events of his father Joseph's people.

He continued to carry on his advanced courses of reading under the synagogue teachers, and he also continued with the home education of his brothers and sisters as they grew up to suitable ages.

Early this year Joseph arranged to set aside the income from his Nazareth and Capernaum property to pay for Jesus' long course of study at Jerusalem, it having been planned that he should go to Jerusalem in August of the following year when he would be fifteen years of age.

By the beginning of this year both Joseph and Mary entertained frequent doubts about the destiny of their first-born son. He was indeed a brilliant and lovable child, but he was so difficult to understand, so hard to fathom, and again, nothing extraordinary or miraculous ever happened. Scores of times had his proud mother stood in breathless anticipation, expecting to see her son engage in some superhuman or miraculous performance, but always were her hopes dashed down in cruel disappointment. And all this was discouraging, even disheartening. The devout people of those days truly believed that prophets and men of promise always demonstrated their calling and established their divine authority by performing miracles and working wonders. But Jesus did none of these things; wherefore was the confusion of his parents steadily increased as they contemplated his future.

The improved economic condition of the Nazareth family was reflected in many ways about the home and especially in the increased number of smooth white boards which were used as writing slates, the writing being done with charcoal. Jesus was also permitted to resume his music lessons; he was very fond of playing the harp.

Throughout this year it can truly be said that Jesus "grew in favor with man and with God." The prospects of the family seemed good; the future was bright.”

***

Of course, for the finite mind of earth-bound mortals, these records seem to be at odds with gospel records of 2000 years ago and more recent research carried out by modern scholars who sincerely believe their research is relevant. Nevertheless, there exists in dusty places the truth of those times. Unfortunately, the zealous scribes of Nicea were bent on delivering a much-edited, manmade version of the original records of the various members of the apostolic corps. That which was inconsistent with the desired outcome was destroyed; other manuscripts were archived and eventually reposited in the Church of Rome-the Vatican. For I know whereof I speak.

Truly it is said, the kingdom of God is at hand.