Take Lessons from Elders
45 When they couldn’t find him,
they went back to Jerusalem to search for him there. 46 Three days later they
finally discovered him in the Temple, sitting among the religious teachers,
listening to them and asking questions. 47 All
who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers.
Of
the 8 stages of life except biological marriage/parenting, (i.e. birth,
education, career, retirement, death and history), Jesus Christ, the epitome of
Christian faith demonstrated, how we should manage our lives.
His
pregnancy, did not follow the normal human reproduction approach but a mixture
of human/spiritual. Logically, to a
carnal mind, this is illogical and indeed unscientific as well as leading to
controversy-generation between believers and non-believers. So as far as the secular law is concerned,
Jesus Christ is an adopted child to Joseph his father so this contradicts the
norm in normal relationship.
He
was born lowly, in a manger. Ordinarily
if he were the son of a President, nobody would give the excuse that there was
no lodging place for him to be born!
However, in spite of this below-the-standard, delivery approach, he
became great, so this tells us that circumstances of our birth should never
determine the height we can get to in life.
As
far as education is concerned, even though he is all-knowing God and at the
same time a physical son of Joseph, he submitted himself to theological training
from elders who had been there before him in the physical! In other words, He is the essence of
theology. but still gave himself to be tutored about himself! He never despised a little beginning. He understood that Wisdom, Knowledge and
Understanding go together to ensure a successful ministry and from his
childhood he applied himself to study such that by age 12, he was already
knowledgeable to the point that people marvelled.
In career, even though he knew his ministry
and purpose for humanity which is salvation, he gave himself to learning
carpentry under the watchful eyes of his Carpenter father Joseph. He subjected himself to the training. Another lesson to us on the need to balance
our spiritual and secular activities and to be prepared to bear
responsibilities.
Though
he did not marry, his teachings generally never contradicted God’s will for
marital institution and in parenting, he became to all children more than their
parents could be – a healer, a lover, a guide, their defender, advocate,
playmate, and someone who enjoyed the company of children more than people who
brought them forth biologically.
In
retirement as symbolised by his
resurrection after death and now sitting on the right hand of His Father till
his second coming, he proved himself accomplished. He retired at the age of 33
years yet he fully accomplished his mission.
While many of us are altering our ages today not wanting to leave our
paid employment, Jesus Christ prepared himself for 30 years, ministered
full-time for only 3 and a half years, finished his assignment and left the
scene gracefully.
As
for death, of course physically death could not hold him captive. He conquered it physically by reason of his
resurrection. That singular act is the most important life-wire of
Christianity, and where many other religions fall below the mark.
History. History is all about leaving a legacy – good
or bad. We all know what Jesus has left behind as a legacy – salvation – for
those who believe in him. That message
of salvation is what divides the world into two parallel groups: believers and
unbelievers today and his impact upon humanity is widening by per second.
Now
Jesus therefore is a good example of knowledge, hardwork, accomplishments,
humility, good success and everything good.
He laid examples for us all to follow even whether we believe in him or
not
One
of such good examples is the fact that a child MUST OF NECESSITY COOPERATE WITH
HIS OR HER PARENTS, if he must succeed. Jesus co-operated with Mary and Joseph
and his extended family. Even after
looking for him for three days (one would ask logically speaking how can caring parents leave their children
behind?). That’s logic. So let’s leave it for psychologists to determine.
Jesus’
story also showed clearly how parents should respect the views of their
children. When he told them “don’t you
know I must be about my Father’s business” Mary and Joseph did not shout him
down, neither did they apply the ‘rod’ which is today’s evidence of effective
parenting! Jesus and Mary were at the
wedding where wine got finished. Mary
consulted him, yet he was only a child!
What’s the matter with a child’s opinion in this matter?. Jesus recognised that his time had not come
but for her mother not to be put to shame, and to prove a point that with his
cooperation with his own heavenly Father, miracle could happen, there and then
he performed his first miracle!
When
children fight their parents today, particularly children raised in Christian
homes or parents curse or claim they ‘disown’ their children, I wonder whether
they both know Christ! It should not be
heard of that that ever happen in any Christian home but it is happening not
only at home but right in our churches – penticostal, orthodox, liberal or
charismatic!
Let’s
go back to the basics and follow Jesus’ example precept by precept and the
world will become a better place to live in!
Good morning.
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