Beginnings: Jesus, The First 30 Years
You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.
Luke 2:12 (NIV)
They scoffed, “He’s just the carpenter’s Son, and we know Mary, His mother, and His brothers—James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas…”
Matthew 13:55 (NLT)
I remain decidedly amazed at the facts surrounding young(er) Jesus.
Why spend 30 years as a toddling Child, submissive son, and Nazarene Tradesman? All without God's Spirit inside of Him! (Jesus received the Spirit in Baptism.)
Why not walk out of an unknown desert as a wise and mysterious Rabbi to start His wondrous 3-year ministry? Certainly, He had Scriptures to fulfill, but why did God deem it necessary for Jesus to spend so much time with us?
What was the point of those first 30 years? Could it be to give us an Example? (Not of sinlessness, since we can’t do it), but to see the choices, methods, and means of how godly people can live good lives in a dark and crooked generation?
Stars like Zechariah, Elizabeth, Mary, Joseph, and the nighttime shepherds; John the Baptist, and young Jesus Himself, before He was obviously famous. Lessons like…
Simple people from unimpressive towns can be chosen as God's first responders.
His first responders MUST BE risk-takers, with unusual courage, faith, and love.
God values the character of a heart above all man-endorsed accomplishments.
Even wonder-kids who can wow adults should be submissive to parents and God.
Only in hosting God's Holy Spirit can saints be strong enough to fight Satan.
Actors, models, and talent for Christ: If you ever feel…
Uncertain of your qualifications to rise and shine on media’s stages,
Too young, too old, too busy, or too weak to fight the good fight and come out on top…
Feel the strength of God’s Spirit within you. Remember where ALL His heroes began, and BELIEVE that ALL things are possible… even for you… and especially now!
Beginnings: Jesus, The First 30 Years (Part 11)
NOTE: God is my Ghostwriter. If what I write is good, it’s from God! We’re ALL called to be actors (action stars) for Jesus. We’re ALL called to models of Jesus, and we ALL have gifts, talents, and callings from God– to multiply them in the world for His glory.
P.S. NO DEVOTION, PREACHER, or SERMON… can begin to replace personal time in the Bible. I wholeheartedly and clear-headedly recommend READING THE BIBLE DAILY.
WARNING: Don’t focus on favorite verses, because out of context, they’re often misinterpreted. I plead with you to READ AT LEAST 1 BIBLE CHAPTER DAILY. How long does it take? An average of 5 to 10 minutes!