Jesus' Knowledge is Power

It is interesting to consider to what level different cultures at different times cherish education. Francis Bacon (mmm… bacon), an English philosopher, once said that “knowledge is power”. There are a vast number of contexts in which this idea holds true. Individuals with knowledge of how to accomplish certain tasks are chosen for various careers accordingly. You wouldn’t want me performing open heart surgery or defusing a bomb as I have little knowledge of these subjects. In war, knowledge creates the most efficient and deadly technology. Knowledge of an enemy’s weaknesses and whereabouts are keys to victory and many loose their lives attempting to obtain this knowledge. Though knowledge is so important, great deals of teachers are relatively low paid. H.L. Mencken, a critic of American life and culture, states that “those who can -- do and those who can’t -- teach”. People often view education as a necessary evil, an obstacle on the way to success.
For a Jewish person in the first century, religion, law, history, ethics, and education were all equally important. This was in contrast to the Greeks’ focus on science, art, linguistics, and bodily training. The written law (Torah) and the spoken law (Mishna) were passed down through many generations. In the time of Jesus, teachers (rabbis) were highly respected. The Roman Empire sought syncretism, a concept meaning all people were allowed to have their own traditions but under a Roman perspective. The Torah, the first fives books of our Bible, was the source of all learning. The synagogue was a place of both worship and learning. Jewish boys learned to read and write at age 5, the law at age 10, and completed learning at age 18. Girls would learn at home from their mothers. At the age of 12, Jesus’ parents found him in the temple courts, amazing the teachers with his understanding and answers (Luke 2:46-47). It is clear in scripture that people were continually amazed by Jesus’ understanding and knowledge.