Jesus' Harp 

When Jesus was seven years old, he learned to milk the family cow and care for the other animals. During his eighth year, he arranged to exchange dairy products for lessons on the harp. He had a distinctive fondness for all things related to music. Later, he also made efforts to cultivate a passion for vocal music among his young companions.

At the age of eleven, Jesus had already developed exceptional skills as a harpist and took great joy in entertaining his family and friends with his remarkable interpretations and skilled improvisations. By the time he was fourteen years old, it became customary for the neighbors to visit during the winter months and listen to Jesus play the harp, as well as to enjoy his captivating storytelling skills and his readings from the Greek scriptures.

While his father Joseph was still alive, there were funds for Jesus to continue his lessons on the harp. After Joseph died when Jesus was fourteen, there were no longer funds to do so. Jesus was responsible for providing for the family, and he worked long hours. When he was tired and weary, he played the harp to relieve tension and quiet his mind. It provided comfort for him during the time he experienced such grief and sorrow following the loss of his father and concern for the welfare of his family.

After Joseph's death, the family funds were dramatically reduced, and although Jesus hoped that a sum of money would be forthcoming for Joseph's work after his tragic death, Herod Antipas refused to pay what was owed to Joseph. As time passed, all of the family savings and resources had been diminished with only Jesus working. While Joseph lived and worked as a contractor, the family had prospered and he had invested wisely, but now properties were sold one by one to keep the family going until some of Jesus' brothers completed school and reached the age where they could work and contribute.

Jesus' earnings alone made it difficult to pay the synagogue tithes, not to mention the civil taxes owed. When Jesus was just fifteen years old, the tax collector threatened to take his harp as part of the money owed, but he was able to hold on to it.

During his nineteenth year, Jesus' brother Jude reached school age and Jesus decided to sell his harp to gain the funds to cover the expenses required to send his brother to school. Jesus knew he would greatly miss playing his harp, but he comforted himself in knowing that his harp would not fall into the hands of the tax collector.

While Jesus may had to give up his harp, his true mastery and inspiration came from his teachings, his compassion, and his unwavering faith in God. His inner strength would always shine through, even during seasons of hardship and disappointment, and losing the ability to play his harp was one of those unavoidable disappointments in Jesus' life. Yet, for a brief time, he enjoyed exploring this creative talent for the benefit of those around him.

While we can contemplate his miracles, teachings, and mission on earth, we can also appreciate the human Jesus who took joy in creative, artistic, and purely recreational pleasures. His engagement with music makes him more relatable, reminding us that he had many of the same passions and pleasures we do. It highlights his appreciation for beauty and creativity and allows us to find a more personal connection to him and his amazing life on our planet.