Jesus' Fourteenth Year 

The family returned to Nazareth after their visit to Jerusalem, as Jesus was old enough to celebrate his first Passover. Mary was delighted, as she had great plans for her son. As typical of children, Jesus was formulating his own plans. Further, being older, Jesus drew more to Joseph for guidance. Less and less he went to Mary for problems and advice. As the uniqueness of Jesus manifested more, both parents were at a loss to fully understand him. But they truly loved him.

Jesus commiserated with and grew to love the Jewish people. Having visited the Jerusalem Temple, he formed a deep respect for the sincere and honest scribes. He resented the politically appointed priests and disdained the hypocritical Pharisees and dishonest theologians. He demanded sincerity from all religious leaders. When he focused on the leadership of Israel, he acknowledged the need for a powerful leader, a Messiah the Jews were expecting, but never saw himself in that position.

The stories of Jesus quizzing and stumping the wise men in Jerusalem, the seat of their religion, spread throughout Nazareth with a smile, especially from his former teachers. He was so wise for his age and they could hardly wait until he turned fifteen to begin reading Scriptures to them on the Sabbath.

On August 21 of the calendar year 8 CE, Jesus turned fourteen. He was mastering woodworking, both as a cabinetmaker and a more rough-cut carpenter. He could make yokes for cattle and knew how to work with canvas and leather. He was slowly becoming more conscious of the nature of his bestowal on earth.

Jesus made frequent climbs on a nearby hill to pray and meditate. From atop the hill, looking out in every direction, Jesus’ imagination would relive every historical and traditional event of the Jewish people.

Jesus continued to take advanced courses in reading at the synagogue, as well as to instruct his younger brothers and sisters at home.

Joseph continued to expand his business as a builder and purchased properties. Joseph began to set aside income from his Nazareth and Capernaum property to pay for Jesus’ long course of study at Jerusalem. The plan was to have Jesus study at the best school, the one in Jerusalem, after his fifteenth birthday.

As best-laid plans have wrinkles, so did Joseph and Mary seriously question the true destiny of Jesus and whether it was the best plan for his future. His proud mother awaited breathlessly for his first miracle or show of superpowers. Religious people all believed that prophets established their divine authority through a precursor act of wonder as their calling card. Nothing happened and his parents’ confusion increased.

The seemingly cruel accidents of time brought a crushing blow to this family. On Tuesday, September 25, a runner from Sepphoris informed the family that Joseph was severely injured by the falling of a derrick while at work on the governor’s residence. Mary set forth immediately but arrived after Joseph had already passed. Joseph was brought to Nazareth the following day and laid to rest with his fathers.

With homelife seriously disrupted, every plan for Jesus and his future education was demolished. Jesus had to fulfill the commission to reveal his heavenly Father to mankind while in the flesh, and yet immediately assume the role of his earth father, of the love and care of a large family, one with one more child on the way.

Jesus had no special protection from the natural order of events. He had to assume huge obligations at a very young age, albeit extreme difficulties do provide highly educational and disciplinary responsibilities. He became the guardian of his father’s home, the only home that Jesus ever had in this world.

Jesus accepted his responsibilities and carried them faithfully to the end. He learned from life’s experiences and from those around him, rather than from formal schooling. He even willingly listened to and learned from little children.

As the year ended, neighbors would drop by to spend winter evenings in his house. They were delighted to hear Jesus play the harp, tell them a story, as he was a master storyteller, or to hear him read from his book of scripture in Greek.

Jesus administered the family savings wisely. He was balanced between being liberal and frugal, conservative and generous.

Despite Jesus and the Nazareth neighbors' efforts to brighten the home, Mary and the children were sad. Joseph was gone and they all missed him.