Did Jesus know he was God?

[vtvols]

At a lenten retreat last evening our new pastor showed us a video about the life of Jesus (part 1 of 3) in which Jesus thus far (having been baptised and, now wandering in the desert, was not really tempted by Satan but was only conflicted about whether to raise an army to drive out the Romans or what) still does not know that he is God. After the showing I told our priest that it went against Catholic teaching to say that Jesus didn’t know who He was. My priest told me that I was wrong and that many modern theologians believe that Jesus only slowly became aware of who He was. I know this isn’t right. Can you show me where to find the Catholic answer?

 

[Della]

The first thing I’d advise is that you don’t go back for parts 2 and 3 if this is the level of teaching you will be getting. It’s absolute horse hockey! Jesus certainly knew he was God. While his childhood is largely a mystery to us because the Gospel writers chose not to write about the things he did before age 12, in Luke 2:45-50 we read:

…and when they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem, seeking him. After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions; and all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. And when they saw him they were astonished; and his mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us so? Behold, your father and I have been looking for you anxiously.” And he said to them, "How is it that you sought me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?" And they did not understand the saying which he spoke to them.

Don’t bother to ask the priest how it is that Luke tells us quite plainly that Jesus at age 12 knew who he was but had somehow forgotten it by the time he reached maturity. He’ll have some lame excuse for it. Instead of reading modern theologians who love to put forward ridiculous and unsubstantiated theories just to be noticed, he ought to be reading his Bible.

 

[wcknight]

Clearly Jesus knew when He was in the temple at age 12, He tells His mother than He was in His Fathers house and going about His Father’s business. (as related by Della a minute before I posted)

Plus when He is baptized by John, the Father says “this is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased.”

And Jesus clearly knew when His mission was supposed to start, at the Wedding of Cana, He tells His mother that His time was not yet at hand. HE knew He had the power but just chose not to use it until then.

 

[Gerry_Hunter]

Among the theological errors of the modernists condemned by Lamentabili (1907) issued by the Holy Office during the reign of Pope St. Pius X were these propositions concerning the knowledge of Christ:

1. Christ did not always have the consciousness of His Messianic dignity.

In the motu proprio Praestantia (November 18, 1907) St. Pius X confirmed Lamentabili together with his encyclical Pascendi thereby strengthening their magisterial import.

Catholic teaching is clear. Yes, He did, and the point is not open for discussion.

Blessings,

Gerry