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Christ’s Problems as a Child
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His life bitter. He had to learn the hard lesson of silence and patient
endurance.
His brothers, as the sons of Joseph were called, sided with the
rabbis. They regarded the precepts of men more highly than the
Word of God, and condemned Jesus’ strict obedience to the law
of God as stubbornness. Surprised at the knowledge He showed in
answering the rabbis, they could not but see that He was an instructor
to them. They recognized that His education was of a higher type
than their own, but they did not discern that He had access to a
source of knowledge of which they were ignorant.
How Jesus Respected All People Alike
Christ found religion fenced in by high walls of seclusion, as too
sacred a matter for everyday life. These walls He overthrew. Instead
of secluding Himself in a hermit’s cell, in order to show His heavenly
character, He labored earnestly for humanity. He taught that religion
is not meant only for set times and places. This was a rebuke to the
Pharisees. It showed that their morbid devotion to personal interest
was far from true godliness. This roused their enmity, so they tried
to enforce conformity to their regulations.
Jesus had little money to give, but He often denied Himself food
in order to relieve those more needy than He. When His brothers
spoke harshly to poor, degraded beings, Jesus spoke to them words
of encouragement. To those in need He would give a cup of cold
water and quietly place His own meal in their hands.
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All this displeased His brothers. Being older, they felt He should
be under their dictation. They charged Him with thinking Himself
superior to them and setting Himself above the teachers, priests, and
rulers. Often they tried to intimidate Him, but He passed on, making
the Scriptures His guide.
Jesus’ Problems With His Family
Jesus’ brothers were jealous of Him and manifested decided
unbelief and contempt. They could not understand His conduct.
Great contradictions presented themselves in Jesus. He was the
divine Son of God, and yet a helpless child. As Creator, the earth