Rules, rules, rules. They were everywhere, dictating how the Jewish people should live every little detail of their lives. Even young children were surrounded by numerous dos and don’ts. These rules had been made by the Jewish rulers, known as the rabbis. The rules had not been commanded by God.

As a boy, Jesus did not follow the laws set up by the Jewish rulers. Instead, He studied the Scriptures and obeyed the laws of God. He grew to realize that the rules created by the rabbis were not in tune with God’s Word. Their rules had no virtue. Their ceremonies were meaningless.

The Jewish rulers tried to get Jesus to follow their rules. Jesus did not speak disrespectfully to them, but He tried to explain what the Scriptures taught. When Jesus talked to them about the Scriptures, the rabbis became angry. They knew that their rules were contrary to the Scriptures.

The rabbis complained about Jesus to His parents. Joseph and Mary thought the rabbis were good men, so they scolded Jesus for not following their ways. Jesus’ brothers took sides with the rabbis, too. They believed a person should do what the Jewish rulers taught, since only the Jewish rulers could understand the Word of God.

The rabbis thought they were better than everyone else. They despised the poor and the uneducated. They offered no hope or comfort to those who were sick or suffering. In contrast, Jesus loved everyone He met. He helped every suffering person. He fed the hungry and later when He was older, He healed the sick, the lame, the blind, and the leper. When His brothers spoke harshly to the poor, Jesus would go to those same people and speak kind and encouraging words. He would take water to the thirsty and sometimes give his own meal to the hungry. Jesus’ kindness to others displeased His brothers.

During His life, Jesus faced many trials and temptations. Satan was always watching for a chance to overcome Him. If Jesus had done one wrong act or spoken one impatient word, He could not have been our Savior and the whole world would have been lost forever. Satan knew this, so his only goal was to make Jesus fail His earthly mission. Satan tried everything to lead Jesus into sin. Not one of us will ever have to meet such fierce temptations as He did.

The other children called Jesus a coward because He would not join them in doing wrong. He enjoyed being outside in nature with God, and He loved to sing and pray and study the Scriptures.

Adapted from: The Story of Jesus