Kapitel 126		Paper 126
De To Afgørende År		The Two Crucial Years
126:0.1 (1386.1) AF ALLE oplevelsen under Jesu liv på jorden var hans fjortende og femtende år de sværeste. Disse to år, efter at han begyndte at blive bevidst om sin guddommelighed og skæbne, og før han i stigende grad var i stand til at kommunikere med sin Retter, var de mest prøvende i hans begivenhedsrige liv på Urantia. Det er denne periode på to år, som skal kaldes den store test, den virkelige fristelse. Intet menneske har i løbet af dets tidlige ungdoms forvirring og tilpasningsproblemer oplevet en mere vanskelig test end den, som Jesus gennemlevede under hans overgang fra barndom til tidlig manddom.		126:0.1 (1386.1) OF ALL Jesus’ earth-life experiences, the fourteenth and fifteenth years were the most crucial. These two years, after he began to be self-conscious of divinity and destiny, and before he achieved a large measure of communication with his indwelling Adjuster, were the most trying of his eventful life on Urantia. It is this period of two years which should be called the great test, the real temptation. No human youth, in passing through the early confusions and adjustment problems of adolescence, ever experienced a more crucial testing than that which Jesus passed through during his transition from childhood to young manhood.
126:0.2 (1386.2) Denne vigtige periode i Jesu udvikling i ungdomsårene begyndte med afslutningen af besøget i Jerusalem og hans tilbagevenden til Nazaret. Først var Maria glad ved tanken om, at hun havde sin dreng tilbage igen, at Jesus var vendt hjem for at være en pligtopfyldende søn - ikke, at han nogensinde havde været noget andet - og at han fremover ville være mere modtagelig for hendes planer for hans fremtidige liv. Men hun havde ikke lang tid at sole sig i skæret af denne moder illusion og ubevidste familie stolthed. Meget snart skulle hun blive mere fuldstændig desillusioneret. Mere og mere var drengen i selskab med sin far; mere sjældent, kom han til hende med sine problemer, mens begge forældre forstod mindre og mindre af hans hyppige vekslen mellem denne verdens opgaver og hans fordybelse af hans forhold til sin Faders anliggender. Helt ærligt, forstod de ham ikke, men de elskede ham virkelig.		126:0.2 (1386.2) This important period in Jesus’ youthful development began with the conclusion of the Jerusalem visit and with his return to Nazareth. At first Mary was happy in the thought that she had her boy back once more, that Jesus had returned home to be a dutiful son—not that he was ever anything else—and that he would henceforth be more responsive to her plans for his future life. But she was not for long to bask in this sunshine of maternal delusion and unrecognized family pride; very soon she was to be more completely disillusioned. More and more the boy was in the company of his father; less and less did he come to her with his problems, while increasingly both his parents failed to comprehend his frequent alternation between the affairs of this world and the contemplation of his relation to his Father’s business. Frankly, they did not understand him, but they did truly love him.
126:0.3 (1386.3) Da Jesu blev ældre, blev hans medfølelse og kærlighed til det jødiske folk uddybet, men i løbet af årene udviklede der sig i ham en voksende retfærdig harme, over tilstedeværelsen i Faderens tempel af de politiske udnævnte præster. Jesus havde stor respekt for de oprigtige farisæere og de ærlige skriftkloge, men han nærede foragt for de hykleriske farisæere og de uærlige teologer. Han så med foragt på alle religiøse ledere, der ikke var oprigtig. Når han nærmere undersøgte de israelske ledere blev han nogle gange fristet til at kigge med fordel på muligheden for at blive den Messias som jøderne ventede på, men han gav aldrig efter for en sådan fristelse.		126:0.3 (1386.3) As he grew older, Jesus’ pity and love for the Jewish people deepened, but with the passing years, there developed in his mind a growing righteous resentment of the presence in the Father’s temple of the politically appointed priests. Jesus had great respect for the sincere Pharisees and the honest scribes, but he held the hypocritical Pharisees and the dishonest theologians in great contempt; he looked with disdain upon all those religious leaders who were not sincere. When he scrutinized the leadership of Israel, he was sometimes tempted to look with favor on the possibility of his becoming the Messiah of Jewish expectation, but he never yielded to such a temptation.
126:0.4 (1386.4) Historien om hans bedrifter blandt de vise mænd i templet i Jerusalem var glædeligt at høre for alle i Nazaret, især for hans tidligere lærere i synagogeskolen. En tid var hans ros på alles læber. Hele landsbyen, mindes hans visdom og prisværdige adfærd i barndommen og forudsagde, at han ville blive en stor leder i Israel; omsider ville en virkelig stor lærer komme fra Nazaret i Galilæa. De så alle frem mod den tid, hvor hans ville være femten, så han regelmæssigt kunne få lov til at læse højt fra de hellige skrifter i synagogen på sabbatsdagen.		126:0.4 (1386.4) The story of his exploits among the wise men of the temple in Jerusalem was gratifying to all Nazareth, especially to his former teachers in the synagogue school. For a time his praise was on everybody’s lips. All the village recounted his childhood wisdom and praiseworthy conduct and predicted that he was destined to become a great leader in Israel; at last a really great teacher was to come out of Nazareth in Galilee. And they all looked forward to the time when he would be fifteen years of age so that he might be permitted regularly to read the Scriptures in the synagogue on the Sabbath day.
1. Hans fjortende år (8 e.kr.) ^top		1. His Fourteenth Year (A.D. 8) ^top
126:1.1 (1387.1) Dette er kalenderåret, for hans fjortende fødselsdag. Han var blevet en god åg håndværker og arbejdede godt sammen med både lærred og læder. Han udviklede sig også hurtigt til en faglært tømrer og snedker. Denne sommer foretog han hyppige ture til toppen af bakken nordvest for Nazaret til bøn og meditation. Han blev gradvis mere bevidst om karakteren af sin overdragelse på jorden.		126:1.1 (1387.1) This is the calendar year of his fourteenth birthday. He had become a good yoke maker and worked well with both canvas and leather. He was also rapidly developing into an expert carpenter and cabinetmaker. This summer he made frequent trips to the top of the hill to the northwest of Nazareth for prayer and meditation. He was gradually becoming more self-conscious of the nature of his bestowal on earth.
126:1.2 (1387.2) Denne bakke, havde for lidt noget over hundrede år tidligere, været "Baalshøjen", og nu fandtes Simeons gravsted der. Han blev betragtet som en hellig mand i Israel. Fra toppen af denne Simons bakke så Jesus ud over Nazaret og det omkringliggende landskab. Han ville vende blikket mod Megiddo og genkalde historien om den egyptiske hær som vandt sine første store sejr i Asien, og hvordan senere, en anden sådan hær besejrede kong Josias af Judas. Ikke langt væk, kunne han se Tanak, hvor Deborah og Barak besejrede Sisera. I det fjerne kunne han skimte Dotans højder, om hvilken han havde lært at Josefs brødre solgte Josef til slaveri i Egypten. Så ville han flytte blikket til Ebal og Gerizim og fortælle sig selv traditionerne om Abraham, Jakob, og Abimelek. På denne måde, genkaldte og overvejede han de historiske og traditions baserede hændelser som hans far Josefs folk havde gennemgået.		126:1.2 (1387.2) This hill, a little more than one hundred years previously, had been the “high place of Baal,” and now it was the site of the tomb of Simeon, a reputed holy man of Israel. From the summit of this hill of Simeon, Jesus looked out over Nazareth and the surrounding country. He would gaze upon Megiddo and recall the story of the Egyptian army winning its first great victory in Asia; and how, later on, another such army defeated the Judean king Josiah. Not far away he could look upon Taanach, where Deborah and Barak defeated Sisera. In the distance he could view the hills of Dothan, where he had been taught Joseph’s brethren sold him into Egyptian slavery. He then would shift his gaze over to Ebal and Gerizim and recount to himself the traditions of Abraham, Jacob, and Abimelech. And thus he recalled and turned over in his mind the historic and traditional events of his father Joseph’s people.
126:1.3 (1387.3) Han fortsatte sine avancerede studieforløb under vejledning af synagogelærerne, og han fortsatte også med hjemmeundervisning af sine brødre og søstre, da de voksede op til egnede aldre.		126:1.3 (1387.3) He continued to carry on his advanced courses of reading under the synagogue teachers, and he also continued with the home education of his brothers and sisters as they grew up to suitable ages.
126:1.4 (1387.4) I begyndelsen af dette år arrangerede Josef henlægning af indtægterne fra sin ejendom i Nazaret og Kapernaum til at betale for Jesu lange studieforløb i Jerusalem, hvor det var planlagt, at han skulle gå til Jerusalem i august det følgende år, da han var femten år.		126:1.4 (1387.4) Early this year Joseph arranged to set aside the income from his Nazareth and Capernaum property to pay for Jesus’ long course of study at Jerusalem, it having been planned that he should go to Jerusalem in August of the following year when he would be fifteen years of age.
126:1.5 (1387.5) Ved begyndelsen af dette år underholdt både Josef og Maria ofte tvivlen om deres førstefødte søns skæbne. Han var virkelig en talentfuld og elskelige barn, men han var så svært at forstå, så svært at blive klog på, og i øvrigt skete der aldrig noget usædvanligt eller mirakuløst. Snesevis af gange havde hans stolte mor holdt vejret i åndeløs forventning, forventet at se sin søn udføre noget overmenneskeligt eller overnaturligt, men altid var hendes håb knust i en grusom skuffelse. Alt dette var nedslående, selv skræmmende. De gudfrygtige mennesker i disse dage troede virkelig, at profeter og mænd af løftet altid manifesterede deres kald og etablerede deres guddommelige autoritet ved at udføre mirakler og gøre vidundere. Jesus gjorde intet af dette, og derfor tiltog forvirringen af hans forældre støt, når de drøftede hans fremtid.		126:1.5 (1387.5) By the beginning of this year both Joseph and Mary entertained frequent doubts about the destiny of their first-born son. He was indeed a brilliant and lovable child, but he was so difficult to understand, so hard to fathom, and again, nothing extraordinary or miraculous ever happened. Scores of times had his proud mother stood in breathless anticipation, expecting to see her son engage in some superhuman or miraculous performance, but always were her hopes dashed down in cruel disappointment. And all this was discouraging, even disheartening. The devout people of those days truly believed that prophets and men of promise always demonstrated their calling and established their divine authority by performing miracles and working wonders. But Jesus did none of these things; wherefore was the confusion of his parents steadily increased as they contemplated his future.
126:1.6 (1387.6) Nazaret familiens forbedrede økonomiske situation blev afspejlet på mange måder i hjemmet og især i det øgede antal af glatte hvide tavler, som blev brugt til at skrive på med trækul. Jesus fik også tilladelse til at genoptage sin musikundervisning; han holdt meget af at spille harpe.		126:1.6 (1387.6) The improved economic condition of the Nazareth family was reflected in many ways about the home and especially in the increased number of smooth white boards which were used as writing slates, the writing being done with charcoal. Jesus was also permitted to resume his music lessons; he was very fond of playing the harp.
126:1.7 (1387.7) Igennem hele dette år, kan man virkelig sige, at Jesus "voksede i velvilje for mennesker og for Gud.” Familiens udsigter syntes gode; fremtiden var lys.		126:1.7 (1387.7) Throughout this year it can truly be said that Jesus “grew in favor with man and with God.” The prospects of the family seemed good; the future was bright.
2. Josefs død ^top		2. The Death of Joseph ^top
126:2.1 (1388.1) Alt gik godt, indtil den skæbnesvangre tirsdag 25. september, da en budbringer fra Sepphoris kom til hjemmet i Nazaret med det tragiske budskab om, at Josef var blevet alvorligt såret af en faldende lastebom under sit arbejde på guvernørens residens. Budbringeren fra Sepphoris havde stoppet ved butikken på vej til Josefs hjem og meddelte Jesus om sin fars ulykke. De gik sammen hjem til Jesus for at meddele den triste nyhed til Maria. Jesus ønskede straks at gå hen til sin far, men Maria ville ikke høre tale om noget andet end at hun måtte skynde sig hen til sin mands side. Hun besluttede, at James, der dengang var ti år skulle ledsage hende til Sepphoris mens Jesus ville blive hjemme med de yngre børn, indtil hun vendte tilbage, da hun ikke vidste, hvor alvorligt Josef var blevet såret. Josef døde af sine kvæstelser, før Maria kunne nå frem. De bragte ham til Nazaret, og den følgende dag blev han stedt til hvile hos sine fædre.		126:2.1 (1388.1) All did go well until that fateful day of Tuesday, September 25, when a runner from Sepphoris brought to this Nazareth home the tragic news that Joseph had been severely injured by the falling of a derrick while at work on the governor’s residence. The messenger from Sepphoris had stopped at the shop on the way to Joseph’s home, informing Jesus of his father’s accident, and they went together to the house to break the sad news to Mary. Jesus desired to go immediately to his father, but Mary would hear to nothing but that she must hasten to her husband’s side. She directed that James, then ten years of age, should accompany her to Sepphoris while Jesus remained home with the younger children until she should return, as she did not know how seriously Joseph had been injured. But Joseph died of his injuries before Mary arrived. They brought him to Nazareth, and on the following day he was laid to rest with his fathers.
126:2.2 (1388.2) Lige på dette tidspunkt, hvor udsigterne var gode og fremtiden lys, ramte en tilsyneladende grusom hånd forsørgeren for denne Nazaret husstand. Hjemmets indre anliggender faldt i uorden, og alle planer om Jesus og hans fremtids uddannelse blev forpurret. Tømmermesterens dreng, der lige havde nået en alder af fjorten, vågnede til den erkendelse, at hans opgave ikke kun var for at opfylde sin himmelske Faders mission til at åbenbare den guddommelige natur på jorden i kødelig form, men at hans unge menneskelige natur også måtte påtage sig ansvaret for at tage sig af hans mor som var blevet enke og sine syv brødre og søstre - og en, der var på vej. Denne dreng fra Nazaret blev eneste støtte og komfort for familien, der så pludseligt var blevet efterladt. Således tillod de hændelser der fandt sted, som hører til naturen orden på Urantia, og som kom til at tvinge denne unge mand af skæbne, til så tidligt at påtage sig disse tunge, men højst udviklende og disciplinære ansvarsopgaver, der fulgte af at han blev lederen af en menneskelig familie, blev far til sine egne brødre og søstre, for at støtte og beskytte sin mor, til at fungere som vogter af sin fars hjem, det eneste hjem, han kom til at have i sit liv i denne verden.		126:2.2 (1388.2) Just at the time when prospects were good and the future looked bright, an apparently cruel hand struck down the head of this Nazareth household, the affairs of this home were disrupted, and every plan for Jesus and his future education was demolished. This carpenter lad, now just past fourteen years of age, awakened to the realization that he had not only to fulfill the commission of his heavenly Father to reveal the divine nature on earth and in the flesh, but that his young human nature must also shoulder the responsibility of caring for his widowed mother and seven brothers and sisters—and another yet to be born. This lad of Nazareth now became the sole support and comfort of this so suddenly bereaved family. Thus were permitted those occurrences of the natural order of events on Urantia which would force this young man of destiny so early to assume these heavy but highly educational and disciplinary responsibilities attendant upon becoming the head of a human family, of becoming father to his own brothers and sisters, of supporting and protecting his mother, of functioning as guardian of his father’s home, the only home he was to know while on this world.
126:2.3 (1388.3) Jesus tog med glæde ansvaret på sig og de pligter der så brat blev tvunget på ham, og han førte dem trofast til enden. Mindst ét stort problem og forventede vanskelighed i sit liv var blevet tragisk løst - det ville ikke nu forventes af ham at han skulle rejse til Jerusalem for at studere under rabbinerne. Det forblev altid sandt, at Jesus ikke "sad ved nogen menneskes fødder." Han var altid villig til at lære fra selv den ringeste af de små børn, men han fik aldrig sin autoritet til at undervise sandheden fra menneskelige kilder.		126:2.3 (1388.3) Jesus cheerfully accepted the responsibilities so suddenly thrust upon him, and he carried them faithfully to the end. At least one great problem and anticipated difficulty in his life had been tragically solved—he would not now be expected to go to Jerusalem to study under the rabbis. It remained always true that Jesus “sat at no man’s feet.” He was ever willing to learn from even the humblest of little children, but he never derived authority to teach truth from human sources.
126:2.4 (1388.4) Men han vidste intet om, at Gabriel havde besøgt hans mor før hans fødsel. Det lærte han først af Johannes på den dag han blev døbt, da hans offentlige tjeneste begyndte.		126:2.4 (1388.4) Still he knew nothing of the Gabriel visit to his mother before his birth; he only learned of this from John on the day of his baptism, at the beginning of his public ministry.
126:2.5 (1388.5) Gennem årene målte denne unge tømrer fra Nazaret i stigende hver institution i samfundet, og hver konvention i religion med samme ufravigelige dimensioner: Hvad gør det for den menneskelige sjæl? Fører det Gud til mennesket? Fører det mennesket til Gud? Selvom den unge ikke fuldstændigt forsømte de aspekter der vedrørte rekreation og socialt samvær i livet, viet han mere og mere af sin tid og energi til kun to formål: omsorg for sin familie og forberedelse til at gøre sin Faders himmelske vilje på jorden.		126:2.5 (1388.5) As the years passed, this young carpenter of Nazareth increasingly measured every institution of society and every usage of religion by the unvarying test: What does it do for the human soul? does it bring God to man? does it bring man to God? While this youth did not wholly neglect the recreational and social aspects of life, more and more he devoted his time and energies to just two purposes: the care of his family and the preparation to do his Father’s heavenly will on earth.
126:2.6 (1389.1) I år blev det skik for naboerne at komme forbi i løbet af vinteraftener for at høre Jesus spille harpe, for at lytte til hans historier (for drengen var en mesterlig historiefortæller), og for at høre ham læse op fra de græske skrifter.		126:2.6 (1389.1) This year it became the custom for the neighbors to drop in during the winter evenings to hear Jesus play upon the harp, to listen to his stories (for the lad was a master storyteller), and to hear him read from the Greek scriptures.
126:2.7 (1389.2) Familiens økonomiske anliggender fortsatte med at være temmelig smidige, da de havde en ikke ubetydelig sum penge på hånden på tidspunktet for Josefs død. Jesus viste tidligt, at han havde en god sans for erhvervslivet og en skarp sans for finansiering. Han var gavmild, men beskeden; Han var økonomisk, men storsindet. Han viste sig at være en klog og effektiv forvalter af sin fars ejendom.		126:2.7 (1389.2) The economic affairs of the family continued to run fairly smoothly as there was quite a sum of money on hand at the time of Joseph’s death. Jesus early demonstrated the possession of keen business judgment and financial sagacity. He was liberal but frugal; he was saving but generous. He proved to be a wise and efficient administrator of his father’s estate.
126:2.8 (1389.3) Men på trods af alt det, som Jesus og Nazaret naboer gjorde for at bringe lidt glæde ind i hjemmet, var Maria, og selv børnene overskygget med sorg. Josef var væk. Josef var en usædvanlig mand og far, og alle savnede ham. Det syntes desto mere tragisk at tænke, at han var død, før de kunne tale til ham eller høre hans farvel velsignelse.		126:2.8 (1389.3) But in spite of all that Jesus and the Nazareth neighbors could do to bring cheer into the home, Mary, and even the children, were overcast with sadness. Joseph was gone. Joseph was an unusual husband and father, and they all missed him. And it seemed all the more tragic to think that he died ere they could speak to him or hear his farewell blessing.
3. Det femtende år (9 e.kr.) ^top		3. The Fifteenth Year (A.D. 9) ^top
126:3.1 (1389.4) I midten af dette femtende år - og vi regner tiden i henhold til den tyvende århundredes kalender, og ikke i henhold til det jødiske år - havde Jesus fået en god forståelse af forvaltningen af sin familie. Inden året var omme, var deres opsparing stort set forsvundet, og de blev konfronteret med behovet for at afsætte et af husene i Nazaret som Josef og hans nabo Jacob ejede sammen.		126:3.1 (1389.4) By the middle of this fifteenth year—and we are reckoning time in accordance with the twentieth-century calendar, not by the Jewish year—Jesus had taken a firm grasp upon the management of his family. Before this year had passed, their savings had about disappeared, and they were face to face with the necessity of disposing of one of the Nazareth houses which Joseph and his neighbor Jacob owned in partnership.
126:3.2 (1389.5) Onsdag aften 17. april 9 e.Kr. blev Ruth født, den yngste i familien, og efter bedste evne forsøgte Jesus at tage sin fars plads i at trøste og tjene sin mor under denne sørgelige og særlige triste prøvelse. Ingen far kunne have elsket og plejet sin datter mere kærligt og trofast end Jesus i næsten tyve år (indtil han begyndte sin offentlige tjeneste) gjorde, da han havde omsorgen for lille Ruth. Han var en lige så god far til alle de andre medlemmer af hans familie.		126:3.2 (1389.5) On Wednesday evening, April 17, a.d. 9, Ruth, the baby of the family, was born, and to the best of his ability Jesus endeavored to take the place of his father in comforting and ministering to his mother during this trying and peculiarly sad ordeal. For almost a score of years (until he began his public ministry) no father could have loved and nurtured his daughter any more affectionately and faithfully than Jesus cared for little Ruth. And he was an equally good father to all the other members of his family.
126:3.3 (1389.6) I løbet af dette år formuleret Jesus for første gang den bøn, han efterfølgende lærte sine apostle, og som for mange er blevet kendt som "Fadervor." På en måde var det en evolution af familiens alter tilbedelse; de havde mange former for ros og flere formelle bønner. Efter sin fars død, søgte Jesus at undervise de ældre børn til at udtrykke sig individuelt i bøn - meget som han selv kunne lide at gøre - men de kunne ikke forstå hans tanke og faldt usvigelig tilbage på de bønneformer de havde lært og som de huskede. Det var i denne indsats for at stimulere hans ældre brødre og søstre til at bede individuelle bønner, at Jesus forsøgte at føre dem videre med de sætninger, han foreslog, og snart - og uden at det havde været hans hensigt - viste det sig, at de alle brugte en form for bøn som stort set bestod af disse foreslåede sætninger, Jesus havde lært dem.		126:3.3 (1389.6) During this year Jesus first formulated the prayer which he subsequently taught to his apostles, and which to many has become known as “The Lord’s Prayer.” In a way it was an evolution of the family altar; they had many forms of praise and several formal prayers. After his father’s death Jesus tried to teach the older children to express themselves individually in prayer—much as he so enjoyed doing—but they could not grasp his thought and would invariably fall back upon their memorized prayer forms. It was in this effort to stimulate his older brothers and sisters to say individual prayers that Jesus would endeavor to lead them along by suggestive phrases, and presently, without intention on his part, it developed that they were all using a form of prayer which was largely built up from these suggestive lines which Jesus had taught them.
126:3.4 (1389.7) Til sidst opgav Jesus idéen om at få hvert medlem af familien til at formulere spontane bønner, og en aften i oktober satte han sig ned ved den lille runde lampe, der stod på det lave sten bord, og på et fladt stykke cedertræ, næsten halvtreds centimeter bred, nedskrev han med et stykke kul bønnen, som derefter blev familiens standardbøn.		126:3.4 (1389.7) At last Jesus gave up the idea of having each member of the family formulate spontaneous prayers, and one evening in October he sat down by the little squat lamp on the low stone table, and, on a piece of smooth cedar board about eighteen inches square, with a piece of charcoal he wrote out the prayer which became from that time on the standard family petition.
126:3.5 (1389.8) Dette år var Jesus meget besværet af forvirring i sin tænkning. Familieansvaret havde meget effektivt fjernet alle tanker om straks at gennemføre en plan som svar på det guddommelige besøg i Jerusalem, der opfordrede ham til at "varetage sin Faders anliggender." Jesus resonerede ganske korrekt, at omsorgen for sin jordiske fars familie skulle have forrang for alle andre pligter, at understøtte hans familie måtte blive hans vigtigste pligt.		126:3.5 (1389.8) This year Jesus was much troubled with confused thinking. Family responsibility had quite effectively removed all thought of immediately carrying out any plan for responding to the Jerusalem visitation directing him to “be about his Father’s business.” Jesus rightly reasoned that the watchcare of his earthly father’s family must take precedence of all duties; that the support of his family must become his first obligation.
126:3.6 (1390.1) I løbet af dette år fandt Jesus i den såkaldte Enochs bog et sted, der påvirkede ham til senere at tage udtrykket "Menneskesønnen" i brug som en betegnelse for sin overdragelsesmission på Urantia. Han havde grundigt overvejet idéen om den jødiske Messias og var fast overbevist om, at han ikke ville være Messias. Han længtes efter at hjælpe sin fars folk, men han kunne aldrig forestille sig, at føre jødiske hære til at knuse den udenlandske dominans af Palæstina. Han vidste, at han aldrig ville sidde på Davids trone i Jerusalem. Han mente heller ikke, at hans mission var at være en åndelig befrier eller moralsk lærer udelukkende for det jødiske folk. Derfor kunne hans livsopgave på ingen måde være med til at opfylde de intense længsler og formodede messianske profetier i de hebraiske skrifter, i hvert fald ikke som jøderne forstod de profetiske forudsigelser. Ligeledes var han sikker på, at han aldrig ville fremstå som Menneskesønnen, som profeten David havde beskrevet.		126:3.6 (1390.1) In the course of this year Jesus found a passage in the so-called Book of Enoch which influenced him in the later adoption of the term “Son of Man” as a designation for his bestowal mission on Urantia. He had thoroughly considered the idea of the Jewish Messiah and was firmly convinced that he was not to be that Messiah. He longed to help his father’s people, but he never expected to lead Jewish armies in overthrowing the foreign domination of Palestine. He knew he would never sit on the throne of David at Jerusalem. Neither did he believe that his mission was that of a spiritual deliverer or moral teacher solely to the Jewish people. In no sense, therefore, could his life mission be the fulfillment of the intense longings and supposed Messianic prophecies of the Hebrew scriptures; at least, not as the Jews understood these predictions of the prophets. Likewise he was certain he was never to appear as the Son of Man depicted by the Prophet Daniel.
126:3.7 (1390.2) Når tiden kom for ham til at fremstå som en verdens lærer, hvad skulle han kalde sig? Hvilket krav skal han udtrykke om sin mission? Hvad skulle de mennesker, der troede på hans forkyndelse kalde ham?		126:3.7 (1390.2) But when the time came for him to go forth as a world teacher, what would he call himself? What claim should he make concerning his mission? By what name would he be called by the people who would become believers in his teachings?
126:3.8 (1390.3) Mens han overvejede alle disse problemer, fandt han i synagogens bibliotek i Nazaret, blandt de apokalyptiske bøger, som han havde studeret, et manuskript kaldet "Enochs bog", og selv om han var sikker på, at det ikke var skrevet af gamle Enoch, fandt han den meget fascinerende, læste den og læste den igen flere gange. Det var et sted, der gjorde særligt indtryk på ham, et stykke, hvor udtrykket "Menneskesønnen" dukkede op. Forfatteren af denne såkaldte Enochs bog havde mere at sige om Menneskesønnen, beskrev hans arbejde på jorden og erklærede, at Menneskesønnen, før han kom ned på jorden med frelse til menneskeheden, var gået gennem de himmelske pragtens gårde med sin Fader, Faderen for alle, og at han havde vendt ryggen til al denne pragt og herlighed for at komme ned på jorden og forkynde frelse til de trængende dødelige. Altid når Jesus læste disse steder (og han forstod meget godt, at en stor del af den østlige mystik, der blev blandet med disse lærdomme var fejlagtige), følte han i sit hjerte og anerkendte i sit sind, at af alle de messianske profetier i de hebraiske skrifter og af alle de teorier om den jødiske befrier var ingen så tæt på sandheden, som denne historie gemt væk i denne kun delvist akkrediteret Enochs bog. Han besluttede derefter og der, at når han begyndte sit offentlige arbejde, ville han kalde sig "Menneskesønnen", hvilket han gjorde, da han efterfølgende begyndte sin offentlige tjeneste. Jesus havde en usvigelig evne til at erkende sandheden, og han har aldrig tøvet med at tilegne sig sandheden uanset fra hvilken kilde, den end syntes at udspringe.		126:3.8 (1390.3) While turning all these problems over in his mind, he found in the synagogue library at Nazareth, among the apocalyptic books which he had been studying, this manuscript called “The Book of Enoch”; and though he was certain that it had not been written by Enoch of old, it proved very intriguing to him, and he read and reread it many times. There was one passage which particularly impressed him, a passage in which this term “Son of Man” appeared. The writer of this so-called Book of Enoch went on to tell about this Son of Man, describing the work he would do on earth and explaining that this Son of Man, before coming down on this earth to bring salvation to mankind, had walked through the courts of heavenly glory with his Father, the Father of all; and that he had turned his back upon all this grandeur and glory to come down on earth to proclaim salvation to needy mortals. As Jesus would read these passages (well understanding that much of the Eastern mysticism which had become admixed with these teachings was erroneous), he responded in his heart and recognized in his mind that of all the Messianic predictions of the Hebrew scriptures and of all the theories about the Jewish deliverer, none was so near the truth as this story tucked away in this only partially accredited Book of Enoch; and he then and there decided to adopt as his inaugural title “the Son of Man.” And this he did when he subsequently began his public work. Jesus had an unerring ability for the recognition of truth, and truth he never hesitated to embrace, no matter from what source it appeared to emanate.
126:3.9 (1390.4) På dette tidspunkt havde han allerede meget grundigt undersøgt mange henseender vedrørende sit fremtidige arbejde for verden, men han sagde ikke noget om dette til sin mor, som stadig solidt holdt fast ved tanken om, at han var den jødiske Messias.		126:3.9 (1390.4) By this time he had quite thoroughly settled many things about his forthcoming work for the world, but he said nothing of these matters to his mother, who still held stoutly to the idea of his being the Jewish Messiah.
126:3.10 (1390.5) Nu opstod den store forvirring under Jesu ungdomstid. Siden han var kommet til en slags klarhed om karakteren af hans mission på jorden, om, hvad det betød at "tage hånd om sin Faders anliggender" - for at vise sin Faders kærlige natur til hele menneskeheden - begyndte han på ny at genoverveje de mange udsagn i skriften om ankomsten af en national befrier, en jødisk lærer eller konge. Hvilken begivenhed hentydede disse profetier mod? Var han ikke en jøde? eller var han det ikke? Var han af Davids hus, eller ikke? Hans mor forsikrede ham, at han var det. Hans far var kommet til den konklusion, at han ikke var det. Han besluttede selv, at han ikke hørte til Davids hus. Men havde profeterne forvekslet Messias natur og mission?		126:3.10 (1390.5) The great confusion of Jesus’ younger days now arose. Having settled something about the nature of his mission on earth, “to be about his Father’s business”—to show forth his Father’s loving nature to all mankind—he began to ponder anew the many statements in the Scriptures referring to the coming of a national deliverer, a Jewish teacher or king. To what event did these prophecies refer? Was not he a Jew? or was he? Was he or was he not of the house of David? His mother averred he was; his father had ruled that he was not. He decided he was not. But had the prophets confused the nature and mission of the Messiah?
126:3.11 (1391.1) Kunne det være muligt, at hans mor havde ret? I de fleste tilfælde, hvor tidligere menings forskelle var opstået havde hun haft ret. Hvis han var en ny lærer og ikke Messias, hvordan kunne han da genkende den jødiske Messias, hvis en sådan skal vise sig i Jerusalem i den tid, hvor han udførte sin mission på jorden? Og videre, hvad ville hans relation til denne jødiske Messias være? Og hvad ville være hans forhold til sin familie, efter at han havde startet sit livsmission? Til det jødiske samfund og den jødiske religion, til Romerriget, til ikke jøderne og deres religioner? Hver og et af disse væsentlige spørgsmål vendte og overvejede denne unge galilæer alvorligt, mens han fortsatte med at arbejde ved tømrerens bænk for møjsommeligt at forsørge sig selv, sin mor og otte andre sultne munde.		126:3.11 (1391.1) After all, could it be possible that his mother was right? In most matters, when differences of opinion had arisen in the past, she had been right. If he were a new teacher and not the Messiah, then how should he recognize the Jewish Messiah if such a one should appear in Jerusalem during the time of his earth mission; and, further, what should be his relation to this Jewish Messiah? And what should be his relation, after embarking on his life mission, to his family? to the Jewish commonwealth and religion? to the Roman Empire? to the gentiles and their religions? Each of these momentous problems this young Galilean turned over in his mind and seriously pondered while he continued to work at the carpenter’s bench, laboriously making a living for himself, his mother, and eight other hungry mouths.
126:3.12 (1391.2) Inden året var omme, så Maria familiens midler svinde ind. Hun overlod salget af duerne til James. Snart købte de en anden ko, og med Miriams hjælp begyndte de at sælge mælk til deres naboer i Nazaret.		126:3.12 (1391.2) Before the end of this year Mary saw the family funds diminishing. She turned the sale of doves over to James. Presently they bought a second cow, and with the aid of Miriam they began the sale of milk to their Nazareth neighbors.
126:3.13 (1391.3) Hans dybe meditations perioder, hans hyppige rejser til toppen af bjerget for at bede, og de mange mærkelige idéer, som Jesus lejlighedsvis udtrykte bekymrede hans mor meget. Nogle gange troede hun, at den unge mand var ude af sig selv, men så beroligede hun sin frygt, da hun huskede, at han var et barn af løfte og på nogle måder anderledes end andre unge.		126:3.13 (1391.3) His profound periods of meditation, his frequent journeys to the hilltop for prayer, and the many strange ideas which Jesus advanced from time to time, thoroughly alarmed his mother. Sometimes she thought the lad was beside himself, and then she would steady her fears, remembering that he was, after all, a child of promise and in some manner different from other youths.
126:3.14 (1391.4) Men Jesus lærte, ikke at udtrykke alle sine tanker, ikke at præsentere alle sine idéer til verden, ikke engang til sin egen mor. Fra dette år og fremefter, åbenbarede Jesus mindre af, hvad der foregik i hans sind, dvs. han talte mindre om ting, som en gennemsnitlig menneske ikke kunne fatte, som kun førte til at han blev anset for mærkeligt og anderledes end almindelige mennesker. Tilsyneladende blev han almindelig og konventionel, selvom han længtes efter nogen, der kunne forstå hans problemer. Han manglede en tillidsfuld og trofast ven, men hans problemer var for kompliceret for sine medmennesker til at forstå. Det unikke ved den usædvanlige situation, tvang ham til at bære sine byrder alene.		126:3.14 (1391.4) But Jesus was learning not to speak of all his thoughts, not to present all his ideas to the world, not even to his own mother. From this year on, Jesus’ disclosures about what was going on in his mind steadily diminished; that is, he talked less about those things which an average person could not grasp, and which would lead to his being regarded as peculiar or different from ordinary folks. To all appearances he became commonplace and conventional, though he did long for someone who could understand his problems. He craved a trustworthy and confidential friend, but his problems were too complex for his human associates to comprehend. The uniqueness of the unusual situation compelled him to bear his burdens alone.
4. Den første prædiken i synagogen ^top		4. First Sermon in the Synagogue ^top
126:4.1 (1391.5) Efter at være fyldt femten, kunne Jesus officielt indtage synagogens prædikestol på sabbatsdagen. Mange gange i fortiden, når taleren ikke var ved hånden, var Jesus blevet bedt om at læse højt fra skrifterne, men nu var dagen kommet, hvor han i overensstemmelse med loven kunne lede tjenesten. Derfor arrangeret chazan så at Jesus på den første sabbat efter at han var fyldt femten år kunne gennemføre morgentjenesten i synagogen. Og da alle de troende i Nazaret var forsamlet rejste den unge mand sig op, forberedt med sit udvalg blandt skrifterne, og begyndte at læse:		126:4.1 (1391.5) With the coming of his fifteenth birthday, Jesus could officially occupy the synagogue pulpit on the Sabbath day. Many times before, in the absence of speakers, Jesus had been asked to read the Scriptures, but now the day had come when, according to law, he could conduct the service. Therefore on the first Sabbath after his fifteenth birthday the chazan arranged for Jesus to conduct the morning service of the synagogue. And when all the faithful in Nazareth had assembled, the young man, having made his selection of Scriptures, stood up and began to read:
126:4.2 (1391.6) ”Herrens, Guds ånd er over mig, fordi Herren har salvet mig. Han har sendt mig for at forkynde glædens budskab til de sagtmodige, for at helbrede alle der er sønderknust i hjerter, for at udråbe frihed for de fangne, og for at sætte de åndeligt bundne fri; til at forkynde Herrens år af nåde og dommens dag fra vor Gud; til at trøste alle, der sørger, til at bringe skønhed i stedet for aske, glædens olie i stedet for sorg, en lovsang i stedet for en bedrøvet ånd, så at de kan kaldes retskaffenhedens træer, plantet af Herren, så han kan blive herliggjort dermed.		126:4.2 (1391.6) “The spirit of the Lord God is upon me, for the Lord has anointed me; he has sent me to bring good news to the meek, to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and to set the spiritual prisoners free; to proclaim the year of God’s favor and the day of our God’s reckoning; to comfort all mourners, to give them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy in the place of mourning, a song of praise instead of the spirit of sorrow, that they may be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, wherewith he may be glorified.
126:4.3 (1392.1) "Søg det gode, og ikke det onde, for at I må leve, og derefter vil Herren, hærskarernes Gud, være med jer. Had det onde og elsk det gode; hold retten i hævd ved porten. Det kan være, at Gud Herren vil være nådig mod Josefs efterkommere.		126:4.3 (1392.1) “Seek good and not evil that you may live, and so the Lord, the God of hosts, shall be with you. Hate the evil and love the good; establish judgment in the gate. Perhaps the Lord God will be gracious to the remnant of Joseph.
126:4.4 (1392.2) "Vask jer og gør jer rene; fjern det onde I gør fra mine øjne; ophør med at gøre ondt og lær at gøre godt; søg, hvad der er rigtigt, hjælp de undertrykte. Forsvar den faderløse og plæder for enken.		126:4.4 (1392.2) “Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean; put away the evil of your doings from before my eyes; cease to do evil and learn to do good; seek justice, relieve the oppressed. Defend the fatherless and plead for the widow.
126:4.5 (1392.3) "Med hvad skal jeg træde frem for Herren, for at bøje mig for hele jordens Herre? Skal jeg komme for ham med brændofre, med et år gamle kalve? Er Herren tilfreds med væddere i tusindvis, får i titusindvis eller floder af olie? Skal jeg ofre min førstefødte for min overtrædelse, min livsfrugt for synden af min sjæl? Nej, for Herren har vist os, o mennesker, hvad der er godt. Hvad andet kræver Herren af dig end at du handler retfærdigt, elsker barmhjertighed, og vandre ydmygt med din Gud?		126:4.5 (1392.3) “Wherewith shall I come before the Lord, to bow myself before the Lord of all the earth? Shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves a year old? Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams, ten thousands of sheep, or with rivers of oil? Shall I give my first-born for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? No! for the Lord has showed us, O men, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you but to deal justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God?
126:4.6 (1392.4) "Med hvem vil du efterligne Gud, som troner over jordens kredsløb? Løft op dine øjne mod højden og se, hvem der har skabt alle disse verdener, hvem som fører frem sine hærskarer i forhold til antallet og kalder dem alle ved navn. Han gør alt dette, for så stor er hans magt, så stor hans styrke, at ikke én mislykkes. Han giver styrke til den trætte og forstærker de svages kraft. Frygt ikke, for jeg er med dig. Mist Ikke modet, for jeg er din Gud. Jeg vil styrke dig, og jeg vil hjælpe dig. Ja, jeg vil opretholde dig med min retfærdige højre hånd, for jeg er Herren din Gud. Jeg vil holde din højre hånd og siger til dig: Frygt ikke, for jeg vil hjælpe dig.		126:4.6 (1392.4) “To whom, then, will you liken God who sits upon the circle of the earth? Lift up your eyes and behold who has created all these worlds, who brings forth their host by number and calls them all by their names. He does all these things by the greatness of his might, and because he is strong in power, not one fails. He gives power to the weak, and to those who are weary he increases strength. Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and I will help you; yes, I will uphold you with the right hand of my righteousness, for I am the Lord your God. And I will hold your right hand, saying to you, fear not, for I will help you.
126:4.7 (1392.5) "Og du er mit vidne, siger Herren, og min tjener, som jeg har valgt, at alle kan kende mig og tro mig og forstå, at jeg er den Evige. Jeg, kun jeg er Herren, og udover mig er der ingen frelser."		126:4.7 (1392.5) “And you are my witness, says the Lord, and my servant whom I have chosen that all may know and believe me and understand that I am the Eternal. I, even I, am the Lord, and beside me there is no savior.”
126:4.8 (1392.6) Da han havde læst dette, satte han sig ned, og folk gik til sit hjem grundede over de ord, han så yndefuldt havde læst for dem. Aldrig havde landsbyboere set ham så storslået alvorlig. Aldrig havde de hørt hans stemme, så oprigtig og dybtfølt; Aldrig havde de set ham så mandig og afgørende, så autoritativ.		126:4.8 (1392.6) And when he had thus read, he sat down, and the people went to their homes, pondering over the words which he had so graciously read to them. Never had his townspeople seen him so magnificently solemn; never had they heard his voice so earnest and so sincere; never had they observed him so manly and decisive, so authoritative.
126:4.9 (1392.7) Denne sabbat eftermiddag klatrede Jesus sammen med James op på Nazaret bakke, og da de vendte hjem, nedskrev han de ti bud på græsk med kul på to glatte trætavler. Senere, farvede og dekoreret Marta disse tavler, og længe hang de på væggen over James lille arbejdsbord.		126:4.9 (1392.7) This Sabbath afternoon Jesus climbed the Nazareth hill with James and, when they returned home, wrote out the Ten Commandments in Greek on two smooth boards in charcoal. Subsequently Martha colored and decorated these boards, and for long they hung on the wall over James’s small workbench.
5. Økonomiske bekymringer ^top		5. The Financial Struggle ^top
126:5.1 (1392.8) Efterhånden vendte Jesus og hans familie tilbage til det enkle liv, de havde levet i løbet af deres første år. Deres tøj og endda deres mad blev enklere. De havde masser af mælk, smør og ost. Når det var sæson, havde de adgang til forskellige produkter fra deres have, men for hver måned, der gik, var det nødvendigt at observere den største nøjsomhed. Deres morgenmad var meget enkel; de gemte det bedste mad til deres aftensmåltid. Blandt disse jøder betød fraværet af fornødenheder ikke underlegenhed i social henseende.		126:5.1 (1392.8) Gradually Jesus and his family returned to the simple life of their earlier years. Their clothes and even their food became simpler. They had plenty of milk, butter, and cheese. In season they enjoyed the produce of their garden, but each passing month necessitated the practice of greater frugality. Their breakfasts were very plain; they saved their best food for the evening meal. However, among these Jews lack of wealth did not imply social inferiority.
126:5.2 (1392.9) Denne unge havde allerede fået en ganske god idé om, hvordan folk levede i sin tid. Og hvor godt han forstod arbejdet i hjemmet, på markerne og i værkstedet fremgår af hans efterfølgende lære, som så rigt viser hans nære kendskab til alle faser af menneskelig erfaring.		126:5.2 (1392.9) Already had this youth well-nigh encompassed the comprehension of how men lived in his day. And how well he understood life in the home, field, and workshop is shown by his subsequent teachings, which so repletely reveal his intimate contact with all phases of human experience.
126:5.3 (1392.10) Chazan i Nazaret fortsatte med at klamre sig til den tro, at Jesus skulle være en stor lærer, sandsynligvis efterfølgeren til den meget berømte Gamaliel i Jerusalem.		126:5.3 (1392.10) The Nazareth chazan continued to cling to the belief that Jesus was to become a great teacher, probably the successor of the renowned Gamaliel at Jerusalem.
126:5.4 (1393.1) Det så ud, som om alle Jesu planer for fremtidens livsforløb var blevet forpurret. Så som tingene nu udviklede sig, så fremtiden ikke lys ud. Men han vaklede ikke, og blev ikke modløs. Han levede én dag ad gangen, klarede sin nuværende pligt godt, og varetog trofast de umiddelbare ansvar hans stilling i livet indebar. Jesus liv er den evige trøst for alle skuffede idealister.		126:5.4 (1393.1) Apparently all Jesus’ plans for a career were thwarted. The future did not look bright as matters now developed. But he did not falter; he was not discouraged. He lived on, day by day, doing well the present duty and faithfully discharging the immediate responsibilities of his station in life. Jesus’ life is the everlasting comfort of all disappointed idealists.
126:5.5 (1393.2) Lønnen til en almindelig daglønnet tømrer var langsomt dalende. Ved udgangen af dette år kunne Jesus, når han arbejdede fra tidligt til sent, kun tjene hvad der svarer til omkring to kroner om dagen. I løbet af det næste år havde de svært ved at betale skat til samfundet, for ikke at nævne pligterne til synagogen og tempelskat på en halv sekel. I løbet af dette år forsøgte skatteopkræveren at få en ekstra skat fra Jesus og truede med at tage hans harpe.		126:5.5 (1393.2) The pay of a common day-laboring carpenter was slowly diminishing. By the end of this year Jesus could earn, by working early and late, only the equivalent of about twenty-five cents a day. By the next year they found it difficult to pay the civil taxes, not to mention the synagogue assessments and the temple tax of one-half shekel. During this year the tax collector tried to squeeze extra revenue out of Jesus, even threatening to take his harp.
126:5.6 (1393.3) Da Jesus var bange for, at skatteopkræverne kunne finde på at konfiskere hans kopi af skrifterne på græsk, gav han dem på sin femtende fødselsdag til synagogens bibliotek i Nazaret som en modenheds gave til Herren.		126:5.6 (1393.3) Fearing that the copy of the Greek scriptures might be discovered and confiscated by the tax collectors, Jesus, on his fifteenth birthday, presented it to the Nazareth synagogue library as his maturity offering to the Lord.
126:5.7 (1393.4) Den store chok under hans femtende år kom, da Jesus gik til Sepphoris for at høre Herodes afgørelse om appellen som var blevet rejst hos ham i striden om mængden af penge, som Josef havde udestående på tidspunktet for hændelsen, der førte til hans død. Jesus og Maria havde håbet at få en betydelig sum, mens kasserer i Sepphoris havde tilbudt dem en sølle beløb. Josefs brødre havde tage en appel til Herodes selv, og nu stod Jesus i paladset og hørte Herodes proklamere, at hans far intet havde udestående, da han døde. For denne uretfærdige beslutning stolede Jesus aldrig igen på Herodes Antipas. Det er derfor ikke overraskende, at han engang kaldte Herodes "den ræv."		126:5.7 (1393.4) The great shock of his fifteenth year came when Jesus went over to Sepphoris to receive the decision of Herod regarding the appeal taken to him in the dispute about the amount of money due Joseph at the time of his accidental death. Jesus and Mary had hoped for the receipt of a considerable sum of money when the treasurer at Sepphoris had offered them a paltry amount. Joseph’s brothers had taken an appeal to Herod himself, and now Jesus stood in the palace and heard Herod decree that his father had nothing due him at the time of his death. And for such an unjust decision Jesus never again trusted Herod Antipas. It is not surprising that he once alluded to Herod as “that fox.”
126:5.8 (1393.5) Det konstante arbejde på tømrerens bænk i løbet af denne og efterfølgende år fratog Jesus muligheden for at socialisere med de karavanerejsende. Familiens tjenesteværksted var allerede blevet overtaget af hans farbror, og Jesus arbejdede kun i hjemme værkstedet hvor han var lige ved hånden til at hjælpe Maria med familien. På dette tidspunkt begyndte han at sende James op til kamelpladsen for at indsamle oplysninger om verdens begivenheder, og således forsøgte han at holde sig orienteret om aktuelle nyheder.		126:5.8 (1393.5) The close work at the carpenter’s bench during this and subsequent years deprived Jesus of the opportunity of mingling with the caravan passengers. The family supply shop had already been taken over by his uncle, and Jesus worked altogether in the home shop, where he was near to help Mary with the family. About this time he began sending James up to the camel lot to gather information about world events, and thus he sought to keep in touch with the news of the day.
126:5.9 (1393.6) Da han voksede til manddom, gennemgik han alle de konflikter og forvirring som den gennemsnitlige unge under tidligere og efterfølgende tidsaldre har gennemgået. Den strenge erfaring med at forsørge sin familie var en sikker garanti mod ikke at have for meget tid til tankeløs meditation eller hengive sig til mystiske tendenser.		126:5.9 (1393.6) As he grew up to manhood, he passed through all those conflicts and confusions which the average young persons of previous and subsequent ages have undergone. And the rigorous experience of supporting his family was a sure safeguard against his having overmuch time for idle meditation or the indulgence of mystic tendencies.
126:5.10 (1393.7) Det var året, hvor Jesus lejede et betydeligt landområde umiddelbart nord for deres hjem, som blev delt op som kolonihaver til familien. Hver og et af de større børn havde deres egen have, og de begyndte ivrigt at konkurrerer indbyrdes med deres landbrugsprojekter. Deres ældste bror brugte en del tid med dem i haven hver dag i løbet af sæsonen med den vegetabilske dyrkning. Når Jesus arbejdede i haven med sine yngre søskende, ønskede han mange gange, at de alle levede på en gård ude på landet, hvor de kunne nyde friheden og selvstændigheden i et uhindret liv. Faktum var, at de ikke voksede op på landet, og Jesus som var en grundig praktisk ung mand og idealist, tog intelligent og energisk fat på sit problem, sådan som han fandt det, og gjorde alt i sin magt for at justere sig selv og sin familie til realiteterne i deres situation og til at bruge deres forhold til den bedst mulige opfyldelse af deres individuelle og kollektive aspirationer.		126:5.10 (1393.7) This was the year that Jesus rented a considerable piece of land just to the north of their home, which was divided up as a family garden plot. Each of the older children had an individual garden, and they entered into keen competition in their agricultural efforts. Their eldest brother spent some time with them in the garden each day during the season of vegetable cultivation. As Jesus worked with his younger brothers and sisters in the garden, he many times entertained the wish that they were all located on a farm out in the country where they could enjoy the liberty and freedom of an unhampered life. But they did not find themselves growing up in the country; and Jesus, being a thoroughly practical youth as well as an idealist, intelligently and vigorously attacked his problem just as he found it, and did everything within his power to adjust himself and his family to the realities of their situation and to adapt their condition to the highest possible satisfaction of their individual and collective longings.
126:5.11 (1393.8) En tid husede Jesus et svagt håb om, at han ville være i stand til at rejse tilstrækkelige midler til at gøre det muligt at købe en lille gård - forudsat at de kunne indsamle den betydelig sum penge hans far havde indestående fra sit arbejde på Herodes palads konstruktion. Han havde virkelig alvorligt overveje denne plan at flytte sin familie ud på landet. Men da Herodes nægtede at betale dem nogen af de penge, som Josef havde krav på, opgav de planen om at eje et hjem på landet. Som det var, lykkedes det dem at nyde meget af livet på gården, som nu havde tre køer, fire får, en flok høns, et æsel og en hund foruden duerne. Selv de små rollinger havde deres regelmæssige opgaver at udføre i de velordnede dagsprogrammer, der karakteriserede hjemmelivet i denne Nazaret familie		126:5.11 (1393.8) At one time Jesus faintly hoped that he might be able to gather up sufficient means, provided they could collect the considerable sum of money due his father for work on Herod’s palace, to warrant undertaking the purchase of a small farm. He had really given serious thought to this plan of moving his family out into the country. But when Herod refused to pay them any of the funds due Joseph, they gave up the ambition of owning a home in the country. As it was, they contrived to enjoy much of the experience of farm life as they now had three cows, four sheep, a flock of chickens, a donkey, and a dog, in addition to the doves. Even the little tots had their regular duties to perform in the well-regulated scheme of management which characterized the home life of this Nazareth family.
126:5.12 (1394.1) Da dette femtende år var endt, havde Jesus også afsluttet den farlige og vanskelige periode i den menneskelige eksistens, den tid, der indebar overgangen fra barndommens mere sorgløse år til bevidstheden om den nærmere manddoms tid med dens voksende ansvar og større muligheder for at erhverve avanceret erfaring i udvikling af en ædel karakter. Sindets og kroppens vækstperiode var afsluttet, og nu begyndte den virkelige livskarriere af denne unge mand fra Nazaret.		126:5.12 (1394.1) With the close of this fifteenth year Jesus completed the traversal of that dangerous and difficult period in human existence, that time of transition between the more complacent years of childhood and the consciousness of approaching manhood with its increased responsibilities and opportunities for the acquirement of advanced experience in the development of a noble character. The growth period for mind and body had ended, and now began the real career of this young man of Nazareth.