________________
This story tells us that even as a boy of 12, Jesus was very resolved and sincere in his desire to know the nature of the Divine, and had an intense interest in studying with the Jewish teachers. It would be natural to assume that this desire to learn about Truth continued to grow. The scriptural record and legendary tales have no further information about the life of Jesus from the age of 12 until his baptism by John when Jesus was about the age of 30.
The Search for Truth
It seems that Jesus was by nature a keen observer of the social practices, and also had an interest in the religious teachings that set the tone of life in rural Israel. In general, the common Jewish people were oppressed by the domination of the Roman rulers, as well as by the false teachings and rigid standards of righteousness imposed on them by the priesthood in Judea. Jesus was a contemplative person. He pondered deeply the web spun by the priests declaring the requirements for animal sacrifice and the laws for personal purification. It seems that his thoughts and observations of the social conditions Jesus to help people out of this bleak situation. Attentively, he served others. Although, he could have lived the life of a householder, as was
197