Did Jesus realise that he was different as a child?

[Winter_Rose]

Hi! This thought just came to me whilst I was watching The Gospel of John on YouTube. Whilst Jesus was growing up, did he realise that he was somehow different to the other children? Did he knew that he was the Messiah and the Son of God?

Would love to hear your views. God bless.

 

[vinsight4u]

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[faroukfarouk]

Hi! This thought just came to me whilst I was watching The Gospel of John on YouTube. Whilst Jesus was growing up, did he realise that he was somehow different to the other children? Did he knew that he was the Messiah and the Son of God?

Would love to hear your views. God bless.

Well, in John 1.14 for example we see that the Lord Jesus is both God and man, when 'the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us; and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth'. Although in some ways the union of God's and man's nature in one Person is hard to understand, it's definitely part of Biblical truth, and so because God is all knowing, that means the Lord Jesus is.

 

[Asuk]

Jesus is God.
God knows everything.
Jesus knows everything.

 

[dysert]

Jesus is God.
God knows everything.
Jesus knows everything.

Ah, but in His incarnation He willing (temporarily) gave up some of His divine attributes. It *may* be that he gave up omniscience -- at least some of the time.

 

[dysert]

Hi! This thought just came to me whilst I was watching The Gospel of John on YouTube. Whilst Jesus was growing up, did he realise that he was somehow different to the other children? Did he knew that he was the Messiah and the Son of God?

Would love to hear your views. God bless.

At least we know that when He was 12 He knew He was the Son of God...

Luk 2:49-> And He said to them, "Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father's business?"

 

[JackRT]

It is odd that Mary sees to have forgotten the remarkable circumstances of the birth of Jesus when she gathered some of her other sons to apprehend him because he was out of his mind. I am convinced that, if Jesus could return today and see all that has been said and done in his name, he would be appalled and think that his ministry was in vain. He might say something like "I pointed them to God so why are they worshipping me?"

On a lighter note, you might be highly amused by the "Nativity Gospels" which purport to deal with the early life of Jesus.

 

[Asuk]

Ah, but in His incarnation He willing (temporarily) gave up some of His divine attributes. It *may* be that he gave up omniscience -- at least some of the time.

How can a perfect being become something that is less than perfect?

 

[dysert]

How can a perfect being become something that is less than perfect?

That's what the Incarnation was about -- shedding some godly attributes and taking on humanity. For example, He gave up omnipresence, so He may have given up other attributes as well.

 

[blessedbeyondbelief]

I don't have any scriptural backing, but I believe that his consciousness and awareness of self grew as he did (not necessarily at the same rate). I cannot imagine him understanding the power he possessed as an infant/toddler. But as he came into his own, he understood more clearly who he was, what his purpose is, and how to fulfill it.

 

[Teslafied]

He was God In the flesh (the Son of God) so I'm sure He knew. Yes He gave up some of His God like powers (until He got baptized) but we must realize He was still God. God came to earth as a baby. So even though the man part of Him had to grow up, the nature of God was still all knowing (full of wisdom).

 

[4x4toy]

It's easy for me to see Jesus as a normal but unique child , see how I blended that ? If he did any thing that was wrong it would have been out of curiosity not sinful intentions .. Joseph could have even whipped him because Joseph wasn't perfect and misread the situation ... Or not !

 

[tickingclocker]

It's easy for me to see Jesus as a normal but unique child , see how I blended that ? If he did any thing that was wrong it would have been out of curiosity not sinful intentions .. Joseph could have even whipped him because Joseph wasn't perfect and misread the situation ... Or not !

That's an interesting perspective. Doing something wrong out of curiosity. Every kid does it.

However, I see Jesus as having never been corporeally punished. Why I don't know. Maybe I'm reading too much into His time in the Garden of Gethsemane. He trusted His Father to see Him through to Resurrection. I gathered that He was more afraid of the physical pain part of what was to happen, considering He had never experienced so much as the pain of a stubbed toe. Angels went before Him to kick stones out of His way (Psalm 91:11).

 

[sarah_beloved]

The scriptures say that Jesus grew in wisdom, so I think while He might have known there was something different about Him, as a young child He probably didn't understand the full implication. Then again, we don't know. What I often wonder is how was it like for Joseph and Mary to bring up their subsequent children after Jesus. Was there ever the "why can't you be as well-behaved as your elder Brother?"

It's easy for me to see Jesus as a normal but unique child , see how I blended that ? If he did any thing that was wrong it would have been out of curiosity not sinful intentions .. Joseph could have even whipped him because Joseph wasn't perfect and misread the situation ... Or not !

I'm not sure about this, but it would have been funny. Imagine after Joseph goes to Heaven and God is like, "hey remember the time you caned my Son because you thought He took some extra candy? You made a mistake, dude."

I gathered that He was more afraid of the physical pain part of what was to happen, considering He had never experienced so much as the pain of a stubbed toe.

This would be true for our human nature, but I actually feel that the most unbearable part for Jesus was bearing the sins of the world and facing God's wrath. The moment when He is no longer the Beloved, rejected by His Father. It's probably difficult for us to imagine, but I believe there was nothing more terrifying than being separated from God.

 

[4x4toy]

That's an interesting perspective. Doing something wrong out of curiosity. Every kid does it.

However, I see Jesus as having never been corporeally punished. Why I don't know. Maybe I'm reading too much into His time in the Garden of Gethsemane. He trusted His Father to see Him through to Resurrection. I gathered that He was more afraid of the physical pain part of what was to happen, considering He had never experienced so much as the pain of a stubbed toe. Angels went before Him to kick stones out of His way (Psalm 91:11).

I'm the opposite tc , I think the spiritual agony of being alone and separated from God the Father was much worse than the physical pain .. Our Lord was truly an innocent lamb who willingly give it up by willfully associating with us to save us .. I've had dreams where I was out of the presence of God , there is no physical pain x 1000 that comes close to the hopeless horror imo .. Suspended between heaven and Earth hung on a tree rejected by man and God that we can be reconciled to God through his righteousness .. What a mighty God we serve ...

 

[Job8]

Hi! This thought just came to me whilst I was watching The Gospel of John on YouTube. Whilst Jesus was growing up, did he realise that he was somehow different to the other children? Did he knew that he was the Messiah and the Son of God?

From what we gather regarding Christ in the Temple at the age of 12, it would appear that Jesus was fully aware of who He was (after all He was God to begin with). It is significant that His early years are not mentioned (although there are all kinds of legends). The unspoken message is that people should not delve into things which God does not disclose.

 

[throughfierytrial]

Well, in John 1.14 for example we see that the Lord Jesus is both God and man, when 'the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us; and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth'. Although in some ways the union of God's and man's nature in one Person is hard to understand, it's definitely part of Biblical truth, and so because God is all knowing, that means the Lord Jesus is.

We do have this information, though it is from Jesus in His 30s:
John 14:29-30:
Then Jesus’ disciples said, “Now you are speaking clearly and without figures of speech. 30 Now we can see that you know all things and that you do not even need to have anyone ask you questions. This makes us believe that you came from God.”

 

[tickingclocker]

This would be true for our human nature, but I actually feel that the most unbearable part for Jesus was bearing the sins of the world and facing God's wrath. The moment when He is no longer the Beloved, rejected by His Father. It's probably difficult for us to imagine, but I believe there was nothing more terrifying than being separated from God.

You have a good point. Unfortunately there is going to be a slight "however" following it... lol! I'm not discounting your point. I think they might be equally valid. Nothing is every truly one-sided, right?

He knew He would never stop being the Son of God, even on the Cross, as Messiah. People wild with pain would cry out, and often do, why, God? Why have you forsaken me? Why are you allowing this? Especially if they have never known such intense pain of that caliber ever before. It's more the unknowns that people fear, rather than the known. The "next to last" thing God forced Jesus to experience was human physical pain. No more angels kicking rocks aside. Then separation from God. I've read a few medical doctors' descriptions of the gruesome physical effects of a crucifixion. More than a body could bear. Then to be denied God's love even for a moment? You are right. It is more impossible to imagine.

 

[throughfierytrial]

We do have this information, though it is from Jesus in His 30s:
John 14:29-30:
Then Jesus’ disciples said, “Now you are speaking clearly and without figures of speech. 30 Now we can see that you know all things and that you do not even need to have anyone ask you questions. This makes us believe that you came from God.”

Depending on the clear interpretation of Isaiah 7:15, 16 Jesus may have had a more earthly infancy, not knowing all things...I, myself, do not come to a conclusion on those passages, that is whether or not they address the infancy of Christ, but He did become sin, who knew no sin. Still there are pieces of the puzzle missing to draw any real conclusion on the matter.
I agree with others who say, do not speak where Scripture does not.

 

[tickingclocker]

I'm the opposite tc , I think the spiritual agony of being alone and separated from God the Father was much worse than the physical pain .. Our Lord was truly an innocent lamb who willingly give it up by willfully associating with us to save us .. I've had dreams where I was out of the presence of God , there is no physical pain x 1000 that comes close to the hopeless horror imo .. Suspended between heaven and Earth hung on a tree rejected by man and God that we can be reconciled to God through his righteousness .. What a mighty God we serve ...

True. It is something Jesus had never experienced before, being separated from God. Physical pain seems so minor to that. But He knew without doubt that He was the acceptable sacrifice for us, and that He would be restored very quickly to fellowship with God. I'm going by my own imagination, and possibly reading into the scripture that describes Him being physically protected by angels His entire life up to that point, where they could not prevent the pain that must happen. On the other hand, it makes me see His willingness (despite fear of it) to face suffering such gruesome pain--for us, which He never had before, all that more precious. It, too, was to be a temporary thing. I think Jesus eventually came to grips with both issues in the Garden. He's back to His usual self when the guards come for Him, even with a sort of "unworldly, forward looking mindset". (You see this in people who know they are dying, this "detaching" phase.)