The Childhood of Jesus
The Gospel of James
Biographical Gospel of the Lord
- Chapter 296 -
The Boy Jesus Explains Daniel To A Kind Teacher
AFTER A PERIOD of a few weeks the other new teacher came to Joseph to pay him a friendly visit,
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for Joseph had previously made him several new benches and chairs and a table for his schoolroom, and on this occasion had won a man of real integrity as his friend.
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This teacher now became acquainted with the Boy Jesus also and took great pleasure in His serious but for all that unassuming and cheerful manner.
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He therefore inquired of Joseph whether the Boy had already learned to read in any school.
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Here Joseph replied, 'Brother, I have already made the attempt with a couple of teachers, but both were unable to accomplish anything with Him;
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for a strange power dwells in this Boy.
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As soon as a teacher gets a bit rough with Him, he is already lost;
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for then only a word from the Boy's mouth needs to come over the teacher, and he is punished in the most severe manner.
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This was the case only recently with the first teacher, who is still a madman to this hour.'
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And the teacher rejoined, 'Yes, yes, I know that indeed; but he was also a tyrant toward all his students.
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If I instructed the Boy, truly, I would have no fear of being punished by Him.'
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Here the Boy Jesus, who was present, asked, 'What really would you teach Me?'
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And the teacher in a very loving manner drew the Boy over to himself, caressed Him and assured Him,
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'I would in an indeed friendly manner like to teach You to read and write and then to understand the Scripture.'
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And the Boy said, 'Good, if you have anything from the Scripture with you, then give it to Me, and I will give you a demonstration!'
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Here the teacher promptly drew out a scroll - the book of Daniel - and gave it to the Boy.
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The Latter immediately began to read the scroll and also to explain it, so that all those present as well as the greatly taken-aback teacher were astonished beyond measure.
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Now when the teacher had heard this from the Boy, he asserted,
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'O Lord! Be gracious and merciful to me a poor sinner, for this Boy is no earthly human being!
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Oh brother Joseph, now I plainly understand why no teacher is able to hold out with this Boy.
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The Boy understands more anyhow than all the teachers in the whole world together. Oh be sure to keep Him at home.'
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This testimony pleased the Boy and he affirmed, 'Since you are so sincere, the other teacher shall get well again because of you. - So be it! -
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Now you remain as sincere in your heart as you now are, and you will be the right sort of a teacher at all times. Amen.'
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Thereupon the Boy Jesus left, and the teacher also soon took his leave from Joseph and very thoughtfully went home. - And at the same hour the first teacher's illness began to abate.