The Childhood and Youth of Jesus · Part 2 · Chapter 287

Lusting for glory, the teacher Piras Zacchaeus wishes to have the miraculous Child in his school. Joseph advises the teacher to make a test. Jesus embarrasses the hypocritical teacher. 23 August 1844

01] After about three months, when Joseph had completed the work in the village, a certain Piras Zacchaeus from the city came to Joseph and for the first time made his acquaintance with the Child, about whom he had heard a great deal.

02] So, surreptitiously, he came solely for the sake of the Child.

03] For Piras Zacchaeus was a substitute teacher with little to do but he nevertheless thought very highly of his wisdom.

04] But why did he then secretly visit Joseph on account of the Child?

05] Because he thought: 'This must be a highly talented boy;

06] I will bring this boy into my school, and his rapid progress will enhance the reputation of my school beyond that of my rival!'

07] He spent most of his time with the Boy Jesus, asked him about a good many things and always got the most convincing answers, which greatly astonished him.

08] When he had thus examined the Child, he (Piras Zacchaeus) turned to Joseph and spoke to him:

09] "Brother! The Child has an extraordinary understanding for His age. Truly, you have an extremely bright little Boy!

10] Only it is a pity that he cannot read or write the alphabet!

11] Do you not want to send him to my school, so that he can learn how to read and write the alphabet with me?

12] And I will then also teach him the other sciences, so that he learns to greet the elders and honour them as grandfathers and fathers!

13] And – you know, so He may also learn to love his playmates, whom he has often dealt with in a most ruthless manner!

14] And so He may finally learn the Law of Moses, understand the history of God's people and the wisdom of God in the prophets!"

15] And Joseph said to the teacher: "Good, my friend and brother! – But before you take my Child into your school, make a small test in front of several witnesses who are here with me today!

16] Tell Him all the letters and clearly explain them to Him; then examine Him,

17] and you will definitely be able to judge His talent by the amount the Boy has learnt from your explanation!"

18] And the teacher promptly did this. He clearly recited the letters from Alpha to Omega and also explained the characters as best as he could.

19] But Jesus looked at the teacher in surprise, and when the latter examined Him thereafter, He said to him:

20] "O you hypocritical teacher! – How can you teach the Beta to the students, when you have never understood the meaning of the Alpha?

21] Explain to Me the true knowledge according to Alpha, and I will then believe what you say about the Beta!

22] So that you now learn that I do not need to be taught the alphabet, with their structure and their meaning, from you, I will explain and show you the alphabet's true meaning!"

23] Here little Jesus began to give a detailed explanation of the entire alphabet to the baffled teacher and, at the same time, diligently questioned the teacher to see whether he had understood it.

24] Every answer of the teacher was so foolish and so sketchy that it caused all those present to burst into laughter.

25] As the teacher discovered the Child's remarkable wisdom, and realized how he had disgraced himself here, he stood up and spoke to those present:

26] "O woe betide poor me, I am now in complete bewilderment! – I have brought shame, ridicule and harm upon myself, because I wanted to bring this little Boy into my school.

27] O brother Joseph! Take this boy away from me; for I can never again bear His severe countenance and His piercing speech!

28] Truly! This little Boy is no earthly born! – With his wisdom, he must surely know how to tame fire and water!

29] I will be a fool for eternity, if this boy was not born a long time before the creation of the world! – Jehovah will know whose womb carried the Child, and whose bosom fed Him!

30] Woe betide me! – I am already a fool; I came to enlist a student, and see, I have found a teacher, whose spirit I can never emulate! – O friends, consider my shame! – An old man has been made a fool of by a little boy, – that is surely my death!

31] Therefore, o Joseph, take away your boy from me; for he must be a great power, either a god or an angel!"

32] All those present now began to console the teacher; for he continued lamenting in his great distress. –