Young Jesus 'On the Road'

Jesus had been helping in his Dad's carpenter shop since he was a toddler. He swept the floors, cleaned and put up the tools and helped his father anyway he could. This year Jesus was turning eight years old so his father had a downsized version of basic carpenter tools fashioned for his son. It was time Jesus to learn the wood crafters trade. This is also the year Jesus would begin formal bible studies at the synagogue.

Jesus was a good kid, a little on the quiet side but cheerful, helpful and full of love. He and his Dad were a team. They treated his mother, Mary, like a queen. The two of them would even help clean up after meals and assist with the housework when they could.

The young Rabbi Moshe Vek was a friend of the family. It was he who told Jesus that he was reaching the age of reason and that now was the time to start thinking of becoming a man and to make plans for the future. Would he be a carpenter like his Dad, a priest at the temple like the Rabbi or travel an entirely different path?

Deep inside Jesus always knew what he was to do but being a young child he never thought about it much. Now that he was growing up he found the future worrisome and somewhat frightening. Jesus knew that a lot was riding on him and that he had a heavy load to tow. Sometimes Joseph would find him alone in a corner of the shop, playing quietly, fashioning little crosses out of scrap wood.

Rabbi Moshe tried to help Jesus with bible studies but Jesus seemed to know scripture, read Hebrew and understand theology naturally. Young Jesus would often criticize temple practices and complain about the sorry state of the religious world. Rabbi Moshe pretended to be scandalized but he heard the truth in the young man's words. Moshe couldn't wait for the day when he would present Jesus to the temple elders.

Mary and Joseph saw how serious Jesus had been acting. He rarely played with the neighbor kids and spent way too much time off by himself, brooding. "Jesus needs a vacation. Let's send him to his Grandmother's for a month." Mary said. "That's a great idea. His Uncle Lazarus and all his cousins will cheer him up." Answered Joseph.

Joseph arranged passage on a passing caravan and in two days Jesus was on his way to Canaan and the home of Mary's mother, Miriam.

Jesus had great fun on the trip. He enjoyed helping with the camels and donkey's, listening to the bawdy stories of the drivers and the feeling of freedom on the road. Sleeping in the open air, eating around a blazing campfire, enjoying the camaraderie of men; Jesus knew that one day he too would be a traveling man.

Grandmother Miriam live near the Jordan on the west bank in a village called Bethany. The area had many orchards and was rich with fruit. Miriam was a fat and happy old woman, she loved children and liked to stuff them with delicious treats. Miriam was a renowned cook and loved to concoct delicacies from the native fruit trees. Today you might call her a pastry chef. The first night at Grandma's Jesus slept in his mother's old room, he couldn't wait to see Uncle Lazarus and Uncle Zachary, all the cousins, especially pretty Mary Magdalene.

Uncle Lazarus was a shopkeeper and a most congenial man. He often complained about his health but had a big brood of happy, active children. Lazarus was a man both respected and loved. Uncle Zachary was a quiet man, he was a leather worker, he made harnesses and the finest sandals in all Canaan. Zachary and his wife had only one child, John. John was only six months older than Jesus but he was a good foot taller and already had the body of a strong young man. Jesus and John were very close. John would always tell Jesus, "I'll lead the way and watch over you. You need never fear or doubt when I'm around."

Lazarus put out the word 'Jesus of Nazareth is in town'. He and Miriam where planning a big goat roast to celebrate the occasion and everyone was invited. All the cousins were freed from their chores and the whole town took on a playful atmosphere. They went down to the river where big John tossed kids into the water and playfully dunked them under. It was there that Jesus spotted Magdalene, the beautiful dark haired daughter of his Aunt Martha.

Jesus had always been able to talk to Magdalene and soon they were off away from the playing boys and girls and sitting in a grove of fig trees. Jesus unburdened his soul, told all the worrisome thoughts and fears of the future. Mary listened patiently. "All those kids out there, your cousins, uncles, family and many more will follow you. John has said he will lead the way. You must not worry about what must be. The future will take care of itself." Mary admonished. "Now is your time to be a boy. Rabbi Moshe should have never put those dreary thoughts in your head. Play with your cousins, tease little girls, steal kisses and teach that bully big John a lesson." Jesus leaned over and gave Mary a shy kiss on the lips, "Will you be with me?" Mary answered, "Always, to the end and after."

They returned to the river's edge and Jesus called all the little cousins to his side, he appointed them to be apostles and gave them the mission of baptizing big John. He sermonized, "No bully, no matter how big or strong can withstand the might of the many and the good." With that the little children swarmed big John and pulled him under the water and they would have drowned him if Jesus hadn't intervened. Jesus pulled John from the waters and said, "Rise up cousin, lead me from these waters and love the little one's who pulled you down."

Jesus stayed till the end of the month. They played at being apostles, messiahs and wandering saints. They practiced working miracles as only innocent children can do. Jesus missed his Mom and Dad and wanted to return to Nazareth and tell them he had learned to be a boy and had discovered the power of imagination.