Amd We Thought We Knew You:
Soul Journey With the Real Jesus
Archaelaus:  The King, the Scholars & the Boy

LOST IN WONDER
BC 2
Nazareth, Galilee
����������� The God-Man, the future priest king has arrived in his parents' home town where he will finish growing up. [1]
����������� He is only three years.� Is this some kind of joke?
����������� "I am really looking forward to going to the Passover services at the Temple this year," Mary tells Joseph. [2] ����
����������� Without replying, Joseph picks up the hand saw he brought into the house to repair during the evening.
����������� "We could take Jesus and see what happens," she continues.� "Maybe, after we show them the prophecies Jesus has fulfilled so far, they'll make him a child priest king.
����������� Still no response from Joseph.� Deep inside he knows something is bitterly wrong
����������� "If nothing else, it would be good to expose him to where he will reign supreme some day," she continues.
����������� "Mary, I don't know what to tell you.� I think we should stay away.� I think we shouldn't even visit there for now.� Not this year anyway."
Jerusalem, Judea
����������� Jewish zealots march on the palace.� The Roman army is called out.� The zealots retreat to the Temple.� The soldiers follow right into the inner court of the Levites where the gigantic altar of sacrifice is.
����������� No, this is all wrong!� The new king isn't supposed to be like this!� Things are supposed to be better!�
����������� But King Archaelaus Herod is power hungry.� Just like his father, King Herod the Great.� Only worse.� Who could be worse?� He's got to establish his territory.� His power.� Right from the beginning. [3]
����������� There is a death toll.� Right in the Temple - the place of refuge.� This cannot be.� Not on holy ground.� Not in the Holy Land.� All this was supposed to stop.� But there they are.� Three thousand zealots.� Dead.�
����������� These are King Archaelaus' personal sacrifices.� Human sacrifices.� To the God he believes he is superior to.� Greater than.� Elevated above.� Satan is proud.
����������� King Archaelaus cancels the rest of the Passover celebration and sends all the Jews back home. [4]
BC 1
����������� Still Jerusalem wrestles.� Over Pentecost celebration that summer, things go from bad to worse in Jerusalem.� A replay of what happened at Passover in the spring.� Only this time 10,000 zealots are sacrificed. [5]
Nazareth, Galilee
����������� The neighbors have always been amazed that Joseph went ahead and married Mary, even though she was three months pregnant by then.� Many think he was crazy to do it.� Others admire his ability to forgive her and marry her anyway.�
����������� The family has never told the people in town the events of Jesus' birth down in Bethlehem.� It is just as well they do not know.� It is safer that way.� Jesus needs time to grow up.
AD 1
����������� There is a new addition to the carpenter's family.� Jesus has a new baby brother.� His name is James. [6]
����������� During the following years, Mary and Joseph, being faithful believers in the God of the Jewish scriptures, go to Jerusalem annually to celebrate Passover at the Temple. [7]
����������� But they never take Jesus.� It is too dangerous.�
�����������"God told me to keep Jesus away from King Archaelaus, and keep him away I shall!"Joseph announces each year. [8]
����������� Indeed, it is like this every year.� Mary and Joseph never stay long in Jerusalem.� Just long enough to take care of their duties toward God.� God is very close to them.� They are taking care of his Son.�
����������� Late next year another baby will be born into this family, this one a girl ~ Salome, named after Mary's sister. [9]
AD 3
Nazareth, Galilee
����������� As Jesus grows, his parents teach him to read right out of the scriptures for himself.� Jesus is just eight years old.� But not too young.�
����������� Jesus needs to know it.� His real Father is talking to him there.� His real Father has left messages for him in these scriptures.
����������� Joseph, his adoptive father explains to him one day out in the shop, "Did you know God selected your name?� Your name has a special meaning.� There were two other famous men in the scriptures with that same name."
����������� Little Jesus stops to rest his arm a moment.� Sanding cabinet doors for his father is hard work for such a youngster.�
����������� "In those old days centuries ago, they would have called you Joshua [10] ~ just a little different accent.� The first Jesus led our wandering ancestors into their promised land.� There is a message in there for you, son.� Think about it.� It tells about the work you will do when you are grown." [11]
����������� But, Father, what is that work?� We already live in our promised land. [12]
����������� "When you are old enough to understand it, you will.� I can't explain it.� I'm not sure what it means, myself."
����������� Jesus looks at the cabinet door he has been sanding, then over to Joseph for approval.
����������� "That's fine.� Now start on the next door.� And the other Jesus in the Bible," Joseph says, resuming his spontaneous lesson, "was the high priest a long time ago." [13]
����������� "Remember the important men - the magi - who came from another country to honor you as priest king when you were just learning to walk?� Well, a long time ago three important men from near that same foreign country brought gifts of precious metals to the high priest Jesus.� They were used to make a crown for him." [14]
����������� You mean, some day I'll be both priest and king?
����������� Joseph does not answer directly.� He seldom does.� These questions are too hard for him to answer.
����������� "You have a lot to learn yet.� Some day you'll know more than I do about it ~ a lot more."� Joseph grins, taking the sanding from Jesus' little hand.� "I think it's time for a break and a snack.� How about it, tiger?"
AD 4
����������� The family continues to expand.� Joseph Junior has just been born. [15]� Jesus is getting some experience as a leader, what with a younger sister and two younger brothers now.� Everything he experiences will work together to develop him into a strong man.
����������� "Now, children," his synagogue rabbi continues one morning at school, "we must keep watching for the Messiah.� He will come and save us some day."
����������� "Save us from what?" Andrew asks.
����������� "That's easy, stupid," Adam answers for the teacher.� "From our enemies.� Those foreigners who run our government.� He's going to kick them out.� Isn't that right, Rabbi?"
����������� "Yes, Adam, you are right.� Our Messiah will be our priest king, and his heirs will never stop being our priest king."
����������� The rabbi scrolls through his scriptures until he comes to the passage.� Here it is.� "The Lord God himself shall be their king forever....Bethlehem...will be his birthplace.� He has always been alive and will rule forever." [16]
����������� Forever?� Forever?� The word grabs hold of Jesus' young mind and hangs on for dear life.� Forever?� What does that mean, forever?� [17] He struggles with it the rest of the class period, on his way back home, and during dinner.�
AD 5
Everywhere inr Palestine
����������� While this family way up north is growing both in numbers and understanding of the impossible, the anarchy of chaos in Palestine is too.� It dominates the news daily, and monthly, year after year.� Skirmishes and snipings apparently in every city.� Everywhere.�
����������� And everywhere there are men claiming to be the next King of Palestine.� Gang leaders, organized crime bosses, shepherds, former prisoners, kingly family look-alikes.� All making their speeches and claiming to be the next King of Palestine.
Nazareth, Galilee
����������� Things are in such turmoil, Caesar jails two thousand rebel leaders around the country, then has them all crucified on the road that leads to Nazareth.�
����������� Jesus sneaks out of town and walks north toward Sepphoris just seven miles away.� The Sepphoris that is smoldering in its own remains.� It does not take him long to spot them - the two thousand crosses lining the road.�
����������� He sees their agony.� He hears some crying out, "Kill me, someone!� Kill me!"� He hears others hallucinating for their pain has driven them mad.� He bravely walks up to a few and touches them, but the Roman guards chase him off.�
����������� "Go home, boy!� And let this be a lesson to you.� Never do anything that will get you crucified.� Now go home, boy." [18]
����������� Terrible times.� Dangerous times.� Especially for anyone in Jerusalem.
����������� Back home, Jesus has his own enemies.
����������� "Jesus is a bastard!" he hears behind him on the way home from school.
����������� "Yeah, Jesus is going to hell."
����������� The two bullies pass Jesus, purposely bumping him as they do.� Then one drops his clay writing tablet and stoops to pick it up, right in front of Jesus.� Jesus trips over him.� The other bully pushes him off his friend, helps his friend up, and they swagger off. [19]
����������� Instead, he takes off running.� "Look at the sissy run!" he hears.� He runs for reinforcements.� He arrives home and rushes to his room.� Mary knows there is something wrong.� She follows him.� He has his scriptures out, frantically scrolling through them.
����������� "It's in the book of Isaiah, Son," Mary says quietly, pushing the hair out of his eyes.� "Here, why don't you put a string across it so you can go unroll your scroll right to it whenever you need to." [20]
����������� Mary sits on the side of her young son's bed as he follows her advice.� "Sweetheart," she encourages, "You did nothing wrong.� I did nothing wrong.� You were conceived miraculously."
����������� Already the boy Jesus is learning what it is like to suffer for being sinful, though he is not sinful.� Already he is learning to understand the punishment people can mete out onto the sinful in the name of God.� Already he is encountering Satan for himself. [21]
AD 6
����������� On the day of Pentecost in mid-summer, another baby comes to their home.� Another girl.� They name her Deborah. [22]
����������� She is a bright spot in the lives of an ordinary family trying to cope in a country occupied with turmoil and hostility and hatred.
����������� Jesus decides to read through all the scriptures in a year.� He thinks he can do it.� After all, he is now eleven years old.� He will try to see how many messages God has for him there.
����������� He does not have to wait long.� He sees it the very first day.� It jumps out at him, grabs hold, and will not let go.� "God said, 'Let us create man to be like us'." [23]
����������� Was he in on the creation?� Somehow in on it?� He recalls all the times he stopped the other kids from beating on a dog, or tearing the legs off a grasshopper.� His relatives said he was just like his mother.�
����������� But he'd felt as though it was more than that.� He'd always felt like he wasn't just protecting harmless creatures that would crawl away and disappear from his life.� It was more like they belonged to him.� He cared for them in the same way he cared for those bowls and bird houses he made in his father's woodshop.� Only more.� A lot more.� He'd never told anyone.� It sounded stupid.� But maybe not so stupid.
Rome
����������� Things continue to degenerate.� Palestine is in turmoil.
����������� Caesar has been pushed too far.� King Archelaus Herod is more barbarian than his father.� How can anyone be?� His son has found ways.
����������� Caesar has no other choice but to exile King Herod.� Far away from the chosen land.� Far away from his illusive power.� Far away from Jesus. [24]
AD 7
Jerusalem, Judea
����������� For the first time, Joseph and Mary are bringing their entire family with them to celebrate Passover. [25]
����������� As the near Jerusalem, they are awed by the great white Temple enlarged and magnified by King Herod a generation ago.� On its mountain, it can be seen from miles away.
����������� But something mars the spectacle.� The new procurator, Coponius, has not only ordered a census for tax purposes, he has made a point to crucify those notorius for stirring up the people against paying Rome their hated taxes.
����������� Joseph and Mary both hide the eyes of their youngest children as they pass the dreaded spectacle on the road just outside Jerusalem.
����������� Jesus, the oldest, is not protected.� He stops and stares and listens to their agony.� Some are cursing the Romans.� Some are warning the passers by, "Don't give in to them!� Don't pay their taxes!"� Some are crying out, "Kill me!� Someone just kill me!"� Some are no longer speaking, for they are dead. [26]
����������� Jesus recalls something in the scriptures he had read just recently.� Something about God being pierced at Jerusalem, and mourning for a firstborn son. [27]
����������� "Jesus, come on!� They're just criminals!"
����������� They rent a room at an inn, take in their baggage, then head over to the grand Temple.� Everyone is excited.� Jesus had been until now.� He cannot get those crucified wretches out of his head.� They haunt him.� And those scriptures - they haunt him too.� Oh God, he thinks, was that a prediction of me?� Please, Father, not that.
����������� At the Temple, Mary and Joseph take Jesus to the main Temple courtyard.� They walk up the grand staircase leading to the court of the men and the altar of sacrifice on which a priest had made their ritual sacrifice on behalf of baby Jesus, their first born.� The three stand at the gateway in silence.
����������� "Jesus, this is where we took you right after you were born," Joseph explains softly.
����������� The three then turn around and survey the huge 30-acre Temple grounds with its throngs of people in town for the Passover.� It is the same courtyard Mary and Joseph walked through a dozen years earlier, carrying their newborn Jesus.� It was nearly empty then.
����������� Mary and Joseph recall to Jesus their encounters with Anna and Simeon, now long dead.� Then they leave.
����������� The next morning, the family returns excitedly to the Temple.� The adults stand around various rabbis discussing scriptures in various corners and on various porches and porticos of the huge Temple complex.� The young ones attend children's classes taught either by young rabbis or elderly women. [28]
����������� Jesus decides to attend one of the adult discussions.�
����������� "My name is Nicodemus," announces the middle-aged doctor of religious law sitting on his rabbi's bench.� "We are going to talk about the Ten Commandments and how they apply to our everyday lives.� First, can anyone here recite all ten?" [29]
����������� Jesus raises his hand.� Excited that the youngest person in the group is volunteering, the rabbi calls on him to recite them.
�����������"Very good.� Now, we are going to discuss each one starting at the beginning...."
����������� Sir!� Jesus is raising his hand.� I was wondering if you think God had in mind to....
����������� "That's a very good question, young man.� Let's talk about that...."
����������� "Now, does anyone have any idea how the fourth commandment...."
����������� Jesus raises his hand again.� That commandment goes much deeper than it seems.� Because.... [30]
����������� Everyone begins to look back at the 12-year-old who is half way teaching the class from the back of the crowd.� To everyone's delight.� Even the teacher.
����������� "Young man, what is your name?"
����������� My name is Jesus.
����������� "Well, that should explain everything!� You must be named after our High Priest Jesus,"he jests. [31]
����������� Not exactly.� But I'd like to meet him.
����������� The class is over.� Some day Nicodemus will meet Jesus again.� When Jesus is grown.� Jesus will change his life.� For one day Nicodemus will be part of the holy Sanhedrin, the official council of seventy, and he will defend Jesus' life to them.� Later Nichodemus will help bury him.� Then he'll worship him.� But that is 18 years away. [32]
����������� Yes, this is just the first time Jesus will meet Nicodemus.� It will not be his last. [33]
����������� "HI!"
����������� There's been another boy in the group who has remained silent.� He comes up to Jesus excitedly.� He's slightly taller.
����������� "I guess we're cousins."
����������� John?� Is that you? [34]
����������� The two boys stare at each other with an awesome respect, then begin to walk aimlessly around the Temple complex.
����������� "I've been wanting to meet you ever since I can remember."
����������� "Yeah.� We kids couldn't come out here when things were so dangerous.� They're better now."
����������� The two boys grow quiet a moment, wanting to get the small talk over with so they can talk about what is really nagging at them.
����������� "You really understand a lot of things, Jesus."
����������� Talking.� Comparing.� Discussing the coming of the Messiah, the Deliverer.� There is much they do not yet understand.� They are still young.� It will come.
����������� "Come on, Jesus," Salome says, tugging at her oldest brother's sleeve impatiently.� "Father and Mother said it's time to go."
����������� In a couple minutes.� I'll be right there.� Hey, meet your cousin, John.
����������� "Jesus, come on.� Everyone's hungry.� Come on."
����������� That night Zachariah, Elizabeth and their son John meet with Joseph, Mary and their children for dinner.� Jesus and John put their heads together both before and after the meal.� The families laugh about teenagers and their long conversations.�
����������� Joseph and Mary know it isn't just that.� Zachariah and Elizabeth do too.� They know these two boys, these two miracle babies, need to get to know each other.� But they do not tell the other children.� They just make sure everyone leaves them alone to talk as long as they want. [35]
����������� The following day everyone is back at the Temple complex.� Jesus finds a discussion group that has not yet begun, but which he has heard will be top notch.� He finds a spot to stand two-thirds of the way back through the crowd.� He doesn't want to be too conspicuous.� After all, he'll probably be the only child in the group.
����������� Someone slips in and stands next to him.� He seems to be about the same age.� Very unusual.� He must be a very bright young man.
����������� He introduces himself.� "Hi, my name is Paul.� The Jews around here call me Saul.� But up in Tarsus, Syria, where all the Gentiles are they call me Paul.� So what's your name?" [36]
����������� Uh, Jesus.
����������� "You're going to like this rabbi.� He's my regular teacher here."
����������� You're getting your education right here in Jerusalem?
����������� "Yeah.� I guess they think I'm kind of bright.� Gifted they call it.� You gifted?" [37]
����������� Before Jesus gets to answer, the rabbi walks up.
����������� "Good morning, friends.� I'd like to introduce myself.� I am Doctor Gamaliel." [38]
����������� This is the first time Jesus meets Gamaliel.� Their paths will cross again when Jesus goes on trial.� He won't be able to save him.� But later he will save others' lives.� They will be all twelve of Jesus' closest friends his twelve apostles. [39]
����������� "When the Messiah comes," Gamaliel begins, "he will establish the eternal Kingdom of God.� What do you think that means?"
����������� Paul whispers to his new friend.� "It means we'll wallop those Romans, kick them out of the country, and be the greatest nation in the history of the world." [40]
����������� Jesus makes a quick reply.� I don't think so.
����������� The discussion continues.� They deliberate prophecies.� They examine what the prophecies mean.� They speculate on how they will affect their country.�
�����������"Do you think the new Kingdom of God will affect the world at large in any way?"
�����������"You bet!"Paul says aloud.�"We're going to rule the world!"
����������� "In what sense?"
�����������"In every sense, sir," Paul responds simplisticly.� "We'll rule with an iron hand!� God will be on our side!"
����������� Sir, Jesus interjects, could I call your attention to what both Isaiah and Micah said?� Swords shall be melted down and made into plows. [41]
����������� "Isaiah said the Deliverer would be a descendant of Jesse, whose son was King David," Gamaliel responds.� "Out of curiosity, how many in our group today are descendants of King David?" [42]
����������� Several raise their hands, including Jesus.� Everyone grins, knowing none of them is the Messiah.� They're just ordinary people.� Especially this boy toward the back of their group.
����������� Sir, Micah said the Deliverer will be born in Bethlehem, Judea. [43]
����������� Before Gamaliel has a chance to call for hands of those born in Bethlehem, singing of the Levite choir on the steps leading to the priest's court interrupts them. [44]
����������� "Jesus!� There you are."� It's his mother.
����������� "Well, I gotta be going.� Nice to meet you."
����������� Paul and Jesus have met only for a first time.� It won't be the last.� ���������
����������� One day they will violently oppose each other.� Jesus will die.� Paul will kill many Christians for believing Jesus came back to life.� Then Jesus, this boy of twelve Paul has been standing next to for two hours, will appear to him out of the heavens.� Paul will then spend the rest of his life defending Jesus. [45]
����������� Paul had no idea, of course that Jesus is God.� But then, no one else does either.� Except Mary.� And Joseph.� Zachariah and Elizabeth too.� And John.� But no one else.� And even they do not quite understand how.� It doesn't matter.� For now.
����������� Things continue like this all week.� After awhile, whenever Jesus cannot be located, Mary sends one of her children to go around to the discussion groups to look for brother.� They always find him with the adults.
����������� Finally the week draws to a close.� The family has run into some relatives from Galilee and have decided to travel together.� They decide to leave at mid morning after one last trip to the Temple. [46]
����������� The small caravan of friends and acquaintances makes its way out the gates of Jerusalem and heads north.� Everyone is tired but content.� Happy with their trip.� Happy that the foreign rulers are backing off from the citizens.� Happy that things in Jerusalem are more normal these days.�
����������� Excitedly chattering and exchanging stories.� "Remember when...."� "Hey, did you see...."� "I'll never forget that...."
����������� It's four hours now.� The women call ahead to the men and everyone pulls off to the side of the road and stops.
����������� "Does everyone have enough water?� Are the little ones still okay?" Mary announces.� The other women do the same, checking on the well being of their children.�
����������� "You two boys have been fussing too much.� We're going to have to separate you.� One of you can walk with Jesus.� Jesus, come get this boy!� Jesus?� Is Jesus in your group, Martha?� No?� Someone go look among Judith's kids."
����������� "Don't see him."
����������� The word spreads among the adults.� They line up the children.� "Where's Jesus?" everyone asks. [47]
����������� Mary and Joseph reluctantly realize no one sent word to Jesus when they were leaving, and they have left him behind.� Frustrated, they send the others on their way, gather up their own children, and head back to Jerusalem.�
����������� What an anti climax.� "He ruins everything," James complains. [48]
����������� They check the neighborhood where they had been staying.� All day they check.� Walking down the side streets calling.� Knocking on doors.� No sign of Jesus.
����������� Mary is crying.� Where is her son?� He is in some kind of trouble.� She recalls running for their lives from King Herod to Egypt at the beginning.� Has he been found out and killed?
����������� "Oh God, help Jesus.� Protect him from those Roman soldiers," she pleads deep within her soul.  "And the thieves.  And the male prostitutes.."  Her mind begins to race from one horrible possibility to another.
����������� "We'll spend the night, and try in town tomorrow," Joseph consoles.� "He's a sensible young man.� He's probably at the Temple.� They'll give him a place to sleep in a guest room.� He'll be okay." [49]
����������� But deep down Joseph wonders.� The Romans are out of control.� Their soldiers are out of control.� Did Jesus run into some drunk Roman soldiers that first evening?� What did they do to him?� He tries not to imagine it.� He determines not to let on to Mary.
����������� Reluctantly Jesus' family returns to the inn where they had stayed.� It is closed for cleanup.� They must go to a different inn.� Jesus will have no way of finding them.
����������� That night, as they say their prayers, little Salome prays, "Dear God, take care of Jesus.� He plays leap frog with me."
����������� The next morning at dawn they head over to the Temple.� For the sake of his family, Joseph tries not to look worried.� But deep down he is frantic.� Is this the way he takes care of God's son?
����������� "Mary, you take Salome.� I'll take James and Joseph Junior.� We'll meet back here in an hour, whether or not we find him."
����������� Mary spots him.� He is asking questions at the far corner of one of the courtyards.� The discussion group is being taught by young but promising Doctor Caiaphus.� Caiaphus, already a member of the Sanhedrin, the official religious council, will become High Priest one day.� He will condemn Jesus, now only twelve years old, to be crucified.� No one knows it yet.� It is just as well. [50]
����������� Mary excuses herself as she makes her way through the discussion group.� Jesus is so far in the front, she motions for someone to punch the skinny boy in the wrinkled tunic and hair in his eyes.
����������� Jesus looks her way, Mary motions to him, and he leaves with her.� Out away from the group, she hugs her son, then looks at him sternly but with tears of relief.
����������� "Son, why have you treated us like this?" she asks.� "Your father and I have been desperately searching for you everywhere." [51]
����������� Father?� His father?� Have you forgotten, Mary?
����������� "Why did you feel you had to look all over for me?" he asks his mother.� "Didn't you realize I'd be here taking care of my Father's business?" [52]
����������� She starts at his reply.� He is not talking about Joseph.� He is talking about Jehovah God.� He knows!� He not only knows, but he understands.� In a way she is not even sure she understands.� My Father's house.� Is this the beginning?� He's so young.� Age 12 is too young to declare he's come from God.� Surely not yet.�
����������� As Mary and her son walk out of the grand Temple complex, her mind wanders back to when the angel made the announcement to her.� She was just three years older than Jesus is now. [53]� �Is he preparing to make the announcement when he is fifteen?� Surely not.� He's far too young.
AD 8-24
Nazareth, Galilee
����������� The family is reunited, and they all safely return home. [54]
����������� A year later Mary has another child, a son.� They name him Simon. [55]
����������� Things go along smoothly and without incident.� Mary is relieved.� She's not ready to let go of Jesus for the world to have.� Not just yet.�
����������� The boys get involved in an organized series of foot racing, which they hold daily during the summer.
����������� "Hey, Jesus, keep it up!� Pass them!� You can do it!" shouts sister Salome from the sidelines.�
          "Yeahhhhh!"
����������� A couple years later Mary's youngest son is born ~ Jude. [56]�
����������� The girls get involved in embroidery work and try to outdo each other.
����������� "Jesus, would you show me how to draw a horse on this piece of fabric?� I want to embroider it for Mother."
����������� A couple years after that Mary's youngest daughter and youngest child is born ~  Martha. [57]
����������� "So, you've got another baby sister.� What's her name, James?"� It's a curious neighbor.
����������� "Martha," James replies angrily.� She's my real sister. [58]
����������� The neighbor wonders if James is referring to the town gossip.� He is, of course.� Jesus has been a source of conflict ever since James can remember.� How he hates his big brother.� Or half-brother.� Or whatever he is.�
����������� As Jesus grows and matures, his understanding of people does too.� Eventually people will forget the gossip.� They will actually grow to like the young man. [59]�
����������� In the following years Jesus will contemplate alone just who and what he is.� He will search for messages to him from his Father ~ his real Father ~ in the Scriptures.�
����������� Some day, when he is grown, he will understand it all.� Then he will know completely just who he is.� The ultimate priest king.� The Creator Priest King.� The God Man.
����������� Isn't that a little hard to believe, Jesus?
����������� Someday at his baptism, he will be given the power.� Then he will prove who he is to himself and to all the others with miracles.� Then he will be ready.� Satan will not. [60]
����������������������������������������������������������� LIFE APPLICATION
1.�������� What exciting event did you stay away from once that seemed great at the time, then later you were glad you didn't go?� What good thing do you feel you are being kept from now?� How will it be even better if you did it later?
2.�������� Is there someone in your life who always seems to be ruining your plans?� Since God says, "Vengeance is mine; I will repay" (Romans 12:19), what should you do about this person?� What will you do until God does take care of him/her in his own way?
3.�������� Jesus found messages from God to him in the Bible.� What messages have you from in the Bible from God to you?� Who will you share this with?
4.�������� Jesus gently reminded his parents that his priorities were for his heavenly father and then them.� In your own life, when your parents try to get you to do something that interferes with your relationship with God, how will you remind them of your priorities?
5.�������� For further reading on how Jesus may have figured out who he was as he matured (God in man), read JESUS:� AN INTERVIEW ACROSS TIME, A PSYCHIATRIST LOOKS AT HIS HUMANITY, by Dr. Andrew Hodges.
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