This edition of Potent Ponderables are questions that are centered around the ‘missing’ years of Jesus’ life, namely age 2-12 and age 12-30 (age 12 is when He was left behind at the Temple).  I realize some of these may stray from traditional teachings concerning Jesus, but I can’t help but wonder.

• We know your parents were poor when you were born, but did they remain that way? Was Joseph ever a successful businessman?

• How perfect were you?  I know you were sinless, but did you ever stub a toe?  Hit your thumb with a hammer?  Trip up after a growth spurt?

• When did you ‘know’ you were born to die?

• Did your siblings ever get jealous of you?

• Did you speak with the country drawl of a Galileean?

• When you were brought to the Temple at the age of twelve, what were the questions the Rabbis asked?  Was this an informal interview to get into a rabbinical school?

• How old were you when Joseph died?

• Did you follow in your step-father’s footsteps and become a carpenter, or did you study under a Rabbi? (note:  Jesus is never called a carpenter, He is called the carpenter’s son.)

• If you went to Rabbinical school was it in Nazareth or Jerusalem?

• Did you study under Gamaliel?  Is this why he is the lone voice of reason among the Sanhedrin in the book of Acts?

• If you studied under Gamaliel, did you know the boy Saul of Tarsus?

• If you went to Rabbinical school in Jerusalem, did you feel the sting of prejudice for being from a ‘rural, backwoods, uneducated’ part of your country?  Were you teased?  Were you bullied?

• Were you a good student, or were you ‘unconventional’, resulting in being viewed as behind the other students in academic acumen?

• How many of your eventual Apostles were in your social circle growing up?

• How did Mary know you could ‘fix’ the lack of wine at the wedding in Cana?  Had you performed a miracle before this one?

That’s all I have for this week.  Feel free to leave comments or other questions below!