Bethlehem

The Early Life

Desire of Ages

Jesus born in Bethlehem (Mt 2:1; Lk 2:4)

native city of David (1 Sam 16) locate ve miles south of Jerusalem based on prophecy, Micah 5:2 But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, Though you are little among the thousands of Judah, Yet out of you shall come forth to Me The One to be Ruler in Israel, Whose goings forth are from of old, From everlasting.

Friday, August 19, 2011

Friday, August 19, 2011

Nazareth
Jesus grew up in Nazareth (Matt 2:23)
remains from NT times consist of cisterns, silos, tombs home of Mary (Lk 1:26-27) hours walk from Sepphoris, known for its theater built under Herod the Great near important trade route of Rome (Egypt to Damascus) the cliff which some attempted to throw Jesus over (Lk 4:29) conrmed archeologically EGW comments: little mountain village obscure and despised proverbial for their wickedness

Development of Jesus
Luke 2:40 And the Child grew and became strong in spirit, lled with wisdom; and the grace of God was upon Him. Luke 2:52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.

Friday, August 19, 2011

Friday, August 19, 2011

Development of Jesus
. . . His mind was active and penetrating, with a thoughtfulness and wisdom beyond His years. Yet His character was beautiful in its symmetry. The powers of mind and body developed gradually, in keeping with the laws of childhood. As a child, Jesus manifested a peculiar loveliness of disposition. His willing hands were ever ready to serve others. He manifested a patience that nothing could disturb, and a truthfulness that would never sacrice integrity. In principle rm as a rock, His life revealed the grace of unselsh courtesy.
Desire of Ages, 68-69
Friday, August 19, 2011 Friday, August 19, 2011

Development of Jesus
Not Dependent on Place Christ was the only sinless one who ever dwelt on earth; yet for nearly thirty years He lived among the wicked inhabitants of Nazareth. This fact is a rebuke to those who think themselves dependent upon place, fortune, or prosperity, in order to live a blameless life. Temptation, poverty, adversity, is the very discipline needed to develop purity and rmness.
Desire of Ages, 72

The Education of Jesus

The teaching had become formal. Tradition had in a great degree supplanted Scriptures. . . The mind was crowded with material that was worthless to the learner . . . In their search after knowledge, they turned away from the Source of wisdom. . . That which was regarded as superior education was the greatest hindrance to real development. . . .The child Jesus did not receive instruction in the synagogue schools. His mother was His rst human teacher. From her lips and from the scrolls of the prophets, He learned of heavenly things. . . As He advanced from childhood to youth, He did not seek the schools of the rabbis. He needed not the education to be obtained from such sources; for God was His instructor.
Desire of Ages, 69-70
Friday, August 19, 2011 Friday, August 19, 2011

Education of Jesus
How Jesus Knew Scripture:
Since He gained knowledge as we may do, His intimate acquaintance with the Scriptures shows how diligently His early years were given to the study of God's word. And spread out before Him was the great library of God's created works. He who had made all things studied the lessons which His own hand had written in earth and sea and sky. Apart from the unholy ways of the world, He gathered stores of scientic knowledge from nature. He studied the life of plants and animals, and the life of man. . . Thus to Jesus the signicance of the word and the works of God was unfolded, as He was trying to understand the reason of things. . . . Every child may gain knowledge as Jesus did. Desire of Ages, 70

Notable Quotes
Jesus was placed where His character would be tested. It was necessary for Him to be constantly on guard in order to preserve His purity (DA 71) He [Jesus] was familiar with poverty, self-denial, and privation. This experience was a safeguard to Him. In His industrious life there were no idle moments to invite temptation. . . (DA 72). He was not willing to be defective, even in the handling of tools. He was perfect as a workman, as He was perfect in character. By His own example He taught . . . that our work should be performed with exactness and thoroughness . . . (DA 72). Jesus did not shirk care and responsibility, as do many who profess to be His followers. It is because they seek to evade this discipline that so may are weak and inefcient (DA 73).

Articial Excitement
Jesus shunned display. During all the years of His stay in Nazareth, He made no exhibition of His miraculous power. He sought no high position and assumed no titles. His quiet and simple life, and even the silence of the Scriptures concerning His early years, teach an important lesson. The more quiet and simple the life of the child,--the more free from articial excitement, and the more in harmony with nature,--the more favorable is it to physical and mental vigor and to spiritual strength.
Desire of Ages, 74

Friday, August 19, 2011

Friday, August 19, 2011

Articial Excitement

The Collision of Jesus & Society

From childhood He acted independently of the rabbinical laws. As the condition of the people began to open to His mind, He saw that the requirements of society and the requirements of God were in constant collision. Men were departing from the word of God, and exalting theories of their own invention. BUT: He did not attack the precepts or practices of the learned teachers; but when reproved for His own simple habits, He presented the word of God.
Desire of Ages, 84, 85

He did not strive for worldly greatness, and in even the lowliest position He was content (DA, 88).

Friday, August 19, 2011

Friday, August 19, 2011

Dealing with Difcult People

The inuence of the rabbis made His life a bitter one. Even in His youth He had to learn the hard lesson of silence and patient endurance (DA 86). His brothers . . . sided with the rabbis. They insisted that the traditions must be heeded (DA 86) Nevertheless: He rarely rebuked any wrongdoing of His brothers (DA 88-89)

Dealing with Difcult People

Brothers of Jesus:

felt Jesus did good to counteract their inuence felt Jesus should be submissive to them accused Him of thinking Himself superior threatened & intimidated Him misunderstood Him accused Him of cowardice declared Him narrow & straight-laced

Friday, August 19, 2011

Friday, August 19, 2011

Dealing with Difcult People

Jesus did not contend for His rights. Often His work was made unnecessarily severe because He was willing and uncomplaining. Yet He did not fail nor become discouraged. He lived above these difculties, as if in the light of Gods countenance. He did not retaliate when roughly used, but bore insult patiently (DA 89).

Personality Odor
What was it like to be around Jesus?
In every gentle and submissive way, Jesus tried to please those with whom He came in contact (DA 85). At all times and in all places He manifested a loving interest in men, and shed about Him the light of a cheerful piety (DA 86). Jesus worked to relieve every case of suffering that He saw. He had little money to give, but He often denied Himself of food in order to relieve those who appeared more needy than He (DA 87).

Friday, August 19, 2011

Friday, August 19, 2011

Personality Odor
What was it like to be around Jesus?
There were some who sought His society, feeling at peace in His presence . . . He was bright and cheerful; they enjoyed His presence, and welcomed His ready suggestions (DA 89). He spoke a word of sympathy here and a word there, as He saw men weary, yet compelled to bear heavy burdens. He shared their burdens, and repeated to them the lessons He had learned from nature, of the love, the kindness, the goodness of God (DA, 90).
Friday, August 19, 2011

Personality Odor
What was it like to be around Jesus?
He passed by no human being as worthless (DA 91) He sought to inspire with hope the most rough and uncompromising (DA 91). To the discouraged, sick, tempted, and fallen: Jesus would speak words of tenderest pity, words that were needed and could be understood (DA 91) To those ghting temptation: He encouraged to persevere, assuring them that they would win; for angels of God were on their side, and would give them the victory (DA 92)

Friday, August 19, 2011

The Burden of Jesus

Through childhood, youth, and manhood, Jesus walked alone. In His purity and His faithfulness, He trod the wine press alone, and of the people there was none with Him. He carried the awful weight of responsibility for the salvation of men. He knew that unless there was a decided change in the principles and purposes of the human race, all would be lost. This was the burden of His soul, and none could appreciate the weight that rested upon Him. Filled with intense purpose, He carried out the design of His life that He Himself should be the light of men.
Desire of Ages, 92

Friday, August 19, 2011