The Mystery of Jesus Missing Years and His Miracles

 

The Mystery of Jesus Missing Years and His Miracles

 

by lim ju boo

 I received a question from Siew Ling in a WhatsApp chat who asked me if Jesus missing years could be linked with His miracles?  

Jesus was “missing” from this world between the age of 12 to 30 before appearing again to begin His mission of healing and preaching

The "missing years" of Jesus, often referred to as the period between His appearance at the Temple at age 12 and the beginning of His public ministry around age 30, are not documented in the canonical gospels. This period of roughly 18 years has been the subject of much speculation, and various theories have been proposed regarding what Jesus may have been doing during this time. Let us look at some main theories and perspectives of His disappearance

The traditional view most widely accepted among scholars and within Christian tradition is that Jesus lived a relatively normal, quiet life in Nazareth. This view suggests that He worked as a carpenter (following in the footsteps of Joseph, His earthly father), lived with His family, and participated in the everyday life of His community. This perspective is supported by the passage in the Gospel of Luke, which states in Luke 2:51-52: "Then he went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them... And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man."

Some non-canonical texts and later traditions propose that Jesus travelled during these years. These accounts are not considered authoritative by mainstream Christianity but are interesting from a historical and cultural perspective.

Some apocryphal writings, like the Infancy Gospel of Thomas, contain stories of Jesus' youth, but these are generally considered legendary and not historically reliable.

Some Eastern traditions, particularly in parts of India and Tibet, claim that Jesus travelled to these regions during His missing years. These claims are not supported by historical evidence and are considered speculative.

Certain mystical and esoteric traditions propose that Jesus spent His missing years studying spiritual and religious traditions outside of Judaism.

Some other theories suggest that Jesus travelled to India, Nepal, and Tibet to study Hinduism and Buddhism. However, there is no historical evidence to support these claims, and they are generally dismissed by mainstream scholars.

Another theory posits that Jesus might have spent time in Egypt, beyond His early childhood escape there. Egypt had a well-established Jewish community and centres of learning, but again, there is no direct evidence of such travels during His adolescence or young adulthood.

Most modern biblical scholars and historians agree that there is no substantial evidence to support the idea that Jesus travelled extensively during His missing years. They suggest that the lack of information in the canonical gospels indicates that Jesus likely lived a normal life in Nazareth, which did not warrant detailed recording until the start of His public ministry.

The "missing years" of Jesus remain largely a matter of speculation due to the absence of detailed historical records. While various theories and traditions exist, the most accepted view is that Jesus lived a quiet, unremarkable life in Nazareth, preparing for His eventual public ministry. The focus of the canonical gospels is on Jesus' ministry, death, and resurrection, which are considered theologically and historically significant for the Christian faith.

My personal hypothesis of Jesus missing years differs from all. First, I don’t think Jesus went to places like India, Tibet, Himalayas, Egypt and places like that because these places are very far away. He was only around 12 years old when he ‘disappeared’.

It couldn’t be possible for Him to go alone as a young boy unaccompanied by His parents to all these places as they are very far away, and to reach these places He would have to cross hostile dry deserts and high mountains like in the Himalayas and Tibet. Where is Jesus going to get food and water during the arduous journey to these places especially as He was only a child or a young boy. He had no divine powers yet to help Him to survival the journey across dry, hot deserts and high mountains, especially alone. His first miracle was only when He was about 30 years old at the wedding at Canna 

Furthermore, where and how was He going to get transport to these places, surely not by planes, trains or buses. At best He could only travel alone and unaccompanied by camel.

However, I offer something interesting. My personal belief is, since Jesus was the Son of God, He must have left this world to His own world using unknown interstellar means of travel where He was taught and trained how to use His power of healing vested and charged into Him like a rechargeable battery before He was brought back to Earth many years later to perform His first miracle to change water into wine at the wedding at Canna. See here:

Jesus First Miracle: Water into Wine.

https://scientificlogic.blogspot.com/search?q=jesus+first+miracle

My personal belief Jesus' "missing years" reflects a creative and speculative approach to understanding this period, which indeed remains one of the great mysteries in the life of Jesus due to the lack of detailed historical records. My belief about interstellar travel is based on my current understanding of astronomy and on the presence of a myriad of other worlds besides our own and the possibility of interstellar travel. It is of course a novel interpretation that contrasts with more traditional and historical perspectives. Here’s a thoughtful examination of my hypothesis and its implications:

Historical evidence and traditional accounts typically suggest that Jesus likely stayed within the regions of Galilee and Judea during His early years. These areas were familiar and would have provided the necessary support and resources for a young person.

Jesus is traditionally understood to have grown up under the care and guidance of His earthly parents, Mary and Joseph. Given the customs and societal structures of the time, it would have been unusual and highly impractical for a young boy to travel alone over great distances, especially considering the challenges of ancient travel, such as the need for food, water, and safe passage.

Theologically, Jesus is believed to be fully divine and fully human (as affirmed by the doctrine of the Hypostatic Union). This means that while He possessed divine nature, He also experienced human development, including the need for physical care and social support.

The canonical gospels focus on the significant events of Jesus' life, emphasizing His public ministry, teachings, death, and resurrection. The lack of detail about His early years suggests that these years were not theologically crucial to the gospel writers' primary message. Having explained this from historical knowledge let us explore the possibility of interstellar travel even during His time.

Since Jesus could perform so many miracles on this planet that are all beyond science to understand, the concept of interstellar travel to His actual home world would be a trivial problem for Him with the help of His heavenly Father who is God. He left for another world to meet His real Heavenly Father to be taught and be vested with Divine Powers before returning to Earth. 

My belief Jesus might have left and returned through some form of interstellar travel is an intriguing idea to many though I agree it may not be supported by traditional Christian doctrine or historical evidence similar with other theories I have already offered.

How or where else can we explain Jesus' disappearance between the age 12 till about 30?  He must have gone somewhere, but where? When He was there at 12 years old, He did not have any divine and miracle powers, but when He returned some 18 years later, He came home with all those supernatural powers. Surely His miracle powers could not be coming from Tibet, India or from any part of this world.  Neither by studying Buddhism nor from Hinduism. It must be from somewhere outside this world. Since we do not have the records, we need to take the reductionist approach. It must be from another world which the church or religion calls it as heaven. I know the church would not agree with me because it is not written in the Bible. But the Bible is not a science or a technical book to explain everything. A lot of mysteries are hidden from us. To me as a scientist we normally take the reductionist approach. That's how we conduct scientific research to dig up something unknown to us. These two verses in the Bible already give us the hint Jesus left for heaven or to His Father kingdom where He saw “In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you" (John 14:2). Jesus couldn't have known this if He had not gone there and saw them directly. He also clearly said "My kingdom is not of this world" (John 18:36)

It is so obvious to me by taking a reductionist approach Jesus must have left this world between the ages of 12 and 30 and saw His Father’s (God) kingdom before returning to Earth with enormous divine miracle powers. Where else could He have got them? 

While this idea aligns with more modern or scientific possibilities, it diverges significantly from the historical and theological context in which Jesus' life is typically understood.

For others the concept of Jesus undergoing a period of divine preparation during His missing years but still somewhere on this Earth I believe is more widely accepted but usually understood in a spiritual rather than a literal interstellar sense. For instance, it is believed that Jesus' divine nature was always present, and His ministry began when the time was right according to God's plan.

From a faith perspective, it is entirely within the realm of personal belief to envision Jesus' formative years in a way that resonates with one's understanding of His divine mission and capabilities. Believers often interpret the mysteries of Jesus' life in a manner that aligns with their spiritual insights and theological convictions.

Scholars and historians rely on available evidence and historical context to form their understanding. They generally conclude that Jesus likely remained in Nazareth, leading a life typical of His time and place, preparing for His eventual public ministry.

My hypothesis Jesus may have temporarily left this Earth during those missing 18 years to be vested with divine powers by His Father in another world represents an out of the box creative and personal way of thinking about Jesus' "missing years" in another world of His. He clearly revealed this when He said “My kingdom is not of this world”

(John 18:36)

Furthermore, my belief Jesus must have left for His Father's heavenly home during His missing years and saw what there was is clearly revealed by Him and printed here in this verse: 

"In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you"

(John 14:2) 

While my belief deviates from traditional Christian teachings and historical scholarship, it reflects a deep engagement with the mystery of Jesus' life. For a balanced understanding, it’s helpful to consider both traditional interpretations and personal insights, recognizing that the true details of this period remain largely unknown and open to personal reflection and faith-based exploration.

During Jesus' missing years, I believe Jesus' body was vested with horrendous powers by God in His home world before returning to this Earth 18 years later to give life and healing to those who were sick, lame, blind and paralyzed. 

I have a very strong conviction when Jesus went missing His body was charged with some kind of unknown life-restoring and healing properties in another world like a rechargeable battery sent to a car workshop or elsewhere to be charged with electricity.

But His energy was entirely different from all other energies we know in science. The energy charged into His body and hands can heal and even restore life to a dead body and give eternal life as He promised

"And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this. I Am the Resurrection and the Life" 

(John 11:17-44).

"Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him" 

(John 3:36) 

 His body is so unlike our un-rechargeable battery that too has life-energy in them until we die after the energy has been spent. Ours is like a non-rechargeable battery that use chemical reactions that are not easily reversible and are designed for single use. Examples include alkaline and zinc-carbon batteries. Rechargeable batteries use reversible chemical reactions, allowing them to be recharged and used multiple times. Examples include lithium-ion, nickel-metal hydride, and lead-acid batteries.

The specific chemical compositions and the nature of the reactions in rechargeable batteries are optimized to facilitate multiple charge and discharge cycles, while ordinary batteries are optimized for a single, efficient discharge.

Jesus "batteries" uses some kind of unknown eternal energy, unlike ours that uses chemicals.  

When Jesus was born into the virgin womb of His mother Mary, He was born ordinary. He has no special power or life-giving energy.  His body cannot be charged in His mother’s womb with special powers because if He had, then Mary's body would also acquire those life-giving and healing powers. 

It is so clear to me that this horrendous divine power has to be vested and bestowed separately to Jesus much later, and should not be infused into Him when He was still in His mother's womb, else His mother Mary would also be conferred with this power. 

It has to be charged separately like a battery with some kind of Qi or healing energy He obtained from somewhere outside this world when He instantly healed the sick by merely touching a sick person. 

Even the clothes Jesus was wearing was charged with some kind of healing energy when a woman with bleeding problem for 12 years was instantly healed when she touched Jesus clothes when He passed by in the crowd milling around Him and following Him everywhere. It only showed that power can be transferred to another body such as into His clothes That power should not be transferred to Mary when He was still in her womb. 

Jesus asked, "who touched me"? There were so many, many people following Jesus in the crowd, milling around Him and touching Him but Jesus did not feel their touches except this woman who was in need. Probably most of them in the crowd were healthy with the chi energy in their bodies quite high but not this woman who was sick for 12 years with almost all her qi energy depleted. She was obviously in need. When she touched Jesus' clothes in that crowd, Jesus could instantly feel that "healing energy (Qi)" drained off His body or from His clothes into the woman's body. The energy was transferred from His to hers.  The account of that woman who was instantly healed after touching Jesus clothes was clearly described in Matthew 9:20-22, Mark 5:25-34, and in Luke 8:43-48

Jesus' healing powers as a form of "Qi" or energy transfer is an interesting way to conceptualize the miraculous events described in the Gospels.  This explanation is the same as in Eastern philosophies and practices, such as traditional Chinese medicine and Qi (or Chi) energy.  However, unlike in traditional Christian theology, Jesus' healing miracles are understood as manifestations of His divine power. As the Son of God, Jesus possessed the authority to heal and perform miracles, which were signs of God's kingdom breaking into the world. These miracles may not be seen by others as energy transfers but as acts of divine intervention. Jesus' ability to heal was a demonstration of His compassion, authority, and the fulfilment of Old Testament prophecies about the Messiah.

Some may interpret it as faith. The healing of the woman with the issue of blood is often interpreted as an example of the power of faith. In the Gospel accounts, Jesus tells the woman that her faith has made her well. The question is, could it not be merely the physical act of touching Jesus' garment that healed her, but her faith in Jesus' divine power? But could faith alone instantly cure her? There must be something else much higher than faith alone. I believe it was those healing and life-giving energy like a charged battery that was transferred into the woman that instantly cured her. This is a more probable answer at least to my mind.

Jesus’ system of medicine and His instant powers of healing over 2,000 years ago was thousands of light years ahead of our modern system of treatment using drugs that are actually chemicals. We use chemicals to treat, Jesus used just His single touch of restorative healing energy making our allopathic system of medicine tens of thousands of light years behind time like Stone Age “medicine” I think we need to learn from Jesus how He treated. Unfortunately, our scientific knowledge in medicine cannot cross over to the spiritual dimension of another world. We are stuck in the mud here with our science and medicine that has not “cured” any chronic diseases our ours using chemicals as “medicines”

My belief aligns with a syncretic approach, blending elements of Christian faith with concepts from Eastern traditions. Qi, in traditional Chinese belief, is a vital life force that flows through all living things. Health is thought to depend on the balanced flow of this energy.

In my explanation Jesus' healing powers through the lens of Qi, suggest that Jesus was a unique source of this healing energy, capable of restoring health through touch.

It was an energy transfer hypothesis. Jesus' ability to heal could be seen as a transfer of this vital energy from His person to those in need. This interpretation provides a tangible, almost physical explanation for the miraculous healings, consistent with how energy transfer is understood in some Eastern philosophies.

This hypothesis offers a fascinating integration of Christian and Eastern spiritual concepts, providing a unique way to think about the miraculous healings of Jesus. It underscores the transformative and restorative power attributed to Jesus, while introducing the idea of a tangible energy that can be transferred. However, traditional Christian beliefs focus on the divine nature of Jesus' power and the role of faith in the healing process, rather than an energy-based explanation.

Nevertheless, it reflects a broader spiritual curiosity and a desire to understand the mysteries of Jesus' life and works through a different cultural and philosophical framework. This kind of interdisciplinary exploration can enrich one's spiritual understanding and appreciation of the diverse ways in which people seek to comprehend the divine.

Furthermore, Jesus has this horrendous healing powers even to the extent of bringing up the dead, such as Lazarus who has died for 4 days. He must have pumped these vital life forces into Lazarus to the extent that even the molecules of decomposition began to move and reassemble themselves into living molecules of life back into the dead body of Lazarus to cause him to rise from his grave. Somehow, I have a very strong nagging feeling that after Jesus spent all His Qi energy vested in Him by God healing the sick and raising up the dead, He needed to be recharged with this life-giving energy again before continuing with His miracles on healing.

I believe this is the same life-giving energy that was recharged into Jesus' body when He took with him Peter, James and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. There Jesus was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, like some kind of aura seen in a living human body that can be shown by Kirlian photography till even his clothes became as white as the light (Matthew 17). After being recharged with this life-giving and healing energy, He came down from the mountain to continue healing the sick, lame, bland and paralyzed I strongly believe this was the same life-giving and health-restoring energy found for forest bathing. Of course, His was far, far more powerful and much more concentrated than what all the health-giving forest energy could offer.

Transfiguration as being related to a form of life-giving energy or "Qi" is indeed a unique and imaginative perspective. My personal belief provides an interesting way to think about the miraculous events in the Gospels, combining elements from various spiritual traditions. In traditional Christian theology, Jesus' ability to heal the sick, raise the dead, and perform other miracles is understood as a demonstration of His divine nature. These acts were signs of His authority as the Son of God.

The miracles seen by Christians may not be interpreted as the result of an external energy source but as expressions of His inherent divine power and compassion.

The account of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead (John 11:1-44) is one of the most profound miracles in the New Testament. Jesus calls Lazarus forth from the tomb, demonstrating His power over life and death.

Traditional interpretation emphasizes Jesus' declaration, "I am the resurrection and the life" (John 11:25), indicating that His power to give life is intrinsic to His divine identity. But this intrinsic power can only come if His power can be recycled repeatedly like a rechargeable battery, and not an ordinary battery like ours wearing out over time with less and less vital energy left that has a limited lifespan. He and His powers are eternal. We cannot compare.

However, Christians may view the Transfiguration of Jesus up in the mountain as unlike a battery being recharged. In Christian faith, the Transfiguration of Jesus (Matthew 17:1-8, Mark 9:2-8, Luke 9:28-36) is traditionally understood as a revelation of His divine glory. During this event, Jesus' appearance changes, and He speaks with Moses and Elijah. This event is seen as a confirmation of Jesus' divine sonship and His fulfilment of the Law and the Prophets. It is a moment of divine revelation rather than a recharging of energy.

But my perspective likens Jesus' healing abilities to a form of vital life force or Qi energy, suggesting that His miracles involved transferring this energy to those in need.

This idea aligns with certain Eastern philosophies, it diverges from the traditional Christian understanding, which attributes Jesus' miracles to His divine nature rather than an external energy source.

For example, the concept of forest bathing known as "Shinrin-yoku" in Japan, refers to the practice of spending time in nature to enhance physical and mental well-being. It is believed to have restorative effects, reducing stress and promoting health.

See here:

The Life-Giving & Healing Energy Fields of The Forest

https://scientificlogic.blogspot.com/2024/06/bathing-in-life-giving-energy-field-of.html

This analogy draws a parallel between the restorative power of nature and Jesus' miraculous abilities, even though Christian theology does not attribute Jesus' powers to natural sources but to His divine identity.

But I think we need to integrate various explanations, scientific, faith and even mysticism, something we do not know. This would reflect a blend of faith-based beliefs and mystical concepts, proposing that Jesus’ divine nature included a form of life-giving energy that He could transfer to others. This view adds a tangible, almost scientific dimension to the understanding of miracles, appealing to those who seek to reconcile spiritual beliefs with a conceptual framework involving energy and vitality.

I believe the symbolism in the accounts of Jesus' miracles and the Transfiguration can be interpreted in various ways, including the idea that Jesus, as the source of all life and healing, continually demonstrated His connection to the divine. The imagery of light and transformation in the Transfiguration underscores the revelation of Jesus' divine nature, which traditional interpretations see as a moment of divine confirmation rather than a need for recharging that scientists may see as a possibility like a rechargeable battery?

My feelings and beliefs offer an alternative creative and thought-provoking way to conceptualize the miracles of Jesus. By framing them in terms of life-giving energy or Qi, we can provide a unique perspective that resonates with certain Eastern philosophies and modern holistic practices. Traditional interpretations focus on Jesus' divine nature and the theological significance of His actions, my perspective introduces a different framework that blends spiritual and physical concepts. This approach can enrich personal spiritual reflection and highlight the diverse ways in which people seek to understand the mysteries of faith.

There are many possibilities we do not know, and I don't think science can explain nor will they be revealed to us in our physical life as it says in 1 Corinthians 13:12 "For now (in our physical state or physical life) we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known" (only possible when our souls leave our physical body)

The mysteries surrounding Jesus' life, His miracles, His missing years, and many aspects of spiritual and divine matters are often beyond the full grasp of our current understanding. The verse from 1 Corinthians 13:12 reflects a profound truth about the limitations of human knowledge and the anticipation of a more complete understanding in the afterlife.

Our current knowledge and understanding are indeed limited, much like seeing a reflection in a mirror, which in ancient times would have been dim and unclear. This metaphor suggests that our comprehension of divine and spiritual matters is partial and incomplete. Many aspects of Jesus' life and the workings of divine power may remain mysterious to us while we are in our physical state. Faith often involves embracing the mystery and recognizing that not all questions have clear or immediate answers. This acceptance can lead to a deeper spiritual life, where the focus is on trust and belief rather than complete understanding. The mysteries of Jesus' miracles, His life, and His divine nature invite believers to explore, reflect, and grow in their faith.

The promise that we shall know fully, as expressed in 1 Corinthians, provides hope and assurance that in the afterlife, we will gain a fuller understanding of divine truths and the nature of God. This future revelation is anticipated as a time when the limitations of our earthly understanding will be removed, and we will see and understand clearly.

I think we need to embrace different perspectives from diverse interpretations. Jesus' healing powers as a form of Qi or life energy, showcases the richness and diversity of thought within spiritual and theological exploration. Engaging with these diverse ideas can deepen our appreciation of the mystery and complexity of divine actions and encourage a more open and reflective approach to faith.

I also think it is a matter of integration of knowledge and faith. While science and theology often address different aspects of human experience, integrating insights from both can provide a more holistic understanding of the world and our place within it.

The acknowledgment that some aspects of divine action may remain beyond scientific.

The mysteries of Jesus' life and miracles, as well as the broader questions of divine action and spiritual reality, invite us to embrace both the known and the unknown. The verse from 1 Corinthians serves as a reminder that our current understanding is partial, and a fuller comprehension awaits us in the afterlife.

In the meantime, engaging with different interpretations and ideas enriches our spiritual journey and allows us to explore the depths of faith with humility and wonder.

My personal reflections highlight the importance of faith, the acceptance of mystery, and the hope of future revelation. Thoughts and hypotheses like these serve as my very humble personal learning experience. 

What about the rest of the readers? Have you any other different ideas different from mine to share with me? I definitely have a listening ear to all. 

Thank you very much for reading especially to Siew Ling who asked me this question. My kindest regards to her and to all. 

Take great care of our spiritual health and life that is eternal, not our physical material body and health that must soon decay and rot away. There is no exception for anyone. We only have one life here in this world. See here:

Are We in Good Health? How Do We Measure the Status of Health?

https://scientificlogic.blogspot.com/2024/06/are-we-in-good-health-how-do-we-measure.html