Jesus Turns Down a Job Offer at Age 23 

In the year 17 CE, Jesus' family's financial situation improved slightly, enabling him to undertake an extended journey to Jerusalem with his younger brother Simon. This trip offered him the opportunity to explore various regions of Palestine, and during his travels, he engaged in significant discussions, most notably with a young Hellenist named Stephen. Additionally, during a stay in Damascus, Jesus was presented with a lucrative offer to establish a school of religious philosophy, which he ultimately turned down, demonstrating his steadfast commitment to his mission and avoiding any undue veneration or distractions from his teachings.

In the twenty-third year of Jesus' life, the financial strain on his family lessened as Miriam and Martha contributed significantly through their work. Miriam's earnings from selling milk and butter, along with Martha's proficiency in weaving, eased the pressure. Moreover, they had managed to pay over one-third of the purchase price for a repair shop, a substantial accomplishment. This improvement allowed Jesus to take a rare three-week break from his carpentry work, enabling him to accompany Simon to Jerusalem for the Passover. It was the longest time he had been away from his daily toil since his father's passing.

Their journey to Jerusalem took them through various regions, such as the Decapolis, Pella, Gerasa, Philadelphia, Heshbon, and Jericho, and they returned to Nazareth via the coast, passing through Lydda, Joppa, Caesarea, and Ptolemais. This extensive trip acquainted Jesus with the entire northern region of Palestine. In Philadelphia, Jesus and Simon encountered a well-traveled merchant from Damascus who developed a strong liking for them. The merchant invited them to stay at his Jerusalem headquarters, allowing Jesus to engage in lengthy discussions about worldly affairs. The journey back home then prompted him to contemplate distant cities and far-off lands that had piqued his interest during conversations with travelers and merchants along the way.

Simon thoroughly enjoyed his time in Jerusalem, participating in the Passover ceremonies and the consecration of new sons of the commandment into the commonwealth of Israel. Meanwhile, Jesus engaged in meaningful conversations with numerous gentile proselytes. Notably, he encountered a young Hellenist named Stephen during a casual stroll around the Asmonean palace. Their conversation delved into the intricacies of life, worship, and the true nature of God. Stephen, who was deeply moved by Jesus' words, later became a fervent believer in his teachings, ultimately leading to his martyrdom and the subsequent conversion of Saul, who would become the influential figure of Paul in the Christian faith. Upon their return to Nazareth, Simon eagerly shared the profound teachings he received from Jesus during their journey, while Mary struggled to comprehend Jesus' unwavering interest in meeting and learning from people of diverse backgrounds. Though the family's focus shifted to immediate concerns, Mary occasionally found solace in reminiscing about the angelic visitation before Jesus' birth, a faint reminder of his divine destiny.

Jesus was escorted from Nazareth to Damascus through the efforts of a merchant who had a great job offer. Jesus spent the last four months as a guest of this merchant who had a dream and a plan and money to back it. He wished to establish a school of religious philosophy at Damascus that would not only rival the one in Alexandria, but be even better. He proposed that Jesus would tour the best education centers throughout the world and become head of this new project. The offer was very tempting.

The merchant and his whole family pleaded with Jesus to take the job. Jesus knew his mission on earth could not be supported by a learning institution and in any way be directed by the “councils of men.” Since he shared a deep interest in seeing this school succeeding, he helped to plan its organization and provided translations when needed.

It is ironic that Jesus was recognized as a master teacher by businessmen and bankers of Damascus, yet rejected by the Jerusalem religious leaders after a lifetime of demonstrating his leadership and exceptional teaching skills. In Damascus, Jesus essentially was still an obscure and unknown carpenter.

At the end of the year, Jesus returned to his workbench in Nazareth, and never mentioned this enticing offer to his family. Nor did these men of Damascus even think that the teacher who upset the crystallized Jewish religion, was one and the same man. Jesus purposely concealed personal travels and experiences so they could not be traced to one person. He likewise allowed himself to be known by different titles. He was eminently successful, as he would later hear stories about a man who led a caravan, escorted two Indians on a long business trip, or one who turned down a handsome offer to build the finest school in the world.

Jesus concealed his personal travels and experiences during this period to prevent the development of a versatile and spectacular career that would overshadow the fundamental teachings he aimed to impart. His refusal to accept the enticing proposal to establish a prominent educational center in Damascus was driven by his recognition that his earthly mission should not be supported by worldly institutions. By segregating different aspects of his life, he sought to avoid the formation of a religion centered around him, which could potentially compete with the gospel of the kingdom that he intended to spread. Jesus aimed to ensure that his teachings remained the focus and that his personal experiences did not overshadow the message he sought to convey.