Standing In The Process

Greetings,

When Jesus was twelve years old His parents, Joseph and Mary, took Him to the Feast of Passover in Jerusalem. When they had finished the days of celebration, Jesus remained in the temple, while Joseph and Mary began their return trip home.

Luke 2:41-49 His parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover. And when He was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem according to the custom of the feast. When they had finished the days, as they returned, the Boy Jesus lingered behind in Jerusalem. And Joseph and His mother did not know it; but supposing Him to have been in the company, they went a day’s journey, and sought Him among their relatives and acquaintances. So when they did not find Him, they returned to Jerusalem, seeking Him. Now so it was that after three days they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both listening to them and asking them questions. And all who heard Him were astonished at His understanding and answers. So when they saw Him, they were amazed; and His mother said to Him. “Son, why have You done this to us? Look, Your father and I have sought You anxiously.” And He said to them, “Why is it that you sought Me? Did you not know hat I must be about My Father’s business?”

At the age of twelve Jesus was found in His Father’s house, the temple, because in Him was a burning desire to bring His Father’s life to His Father’s house (Lk. 2:41-49). He had a longing for the destiny within Him, but He was not at the age of inheritance. God was calling Jesus out of His own country that He might be found among His own people. Who were His relatives? Jesus said later in His ministry that His family were those who do the will of His Father (Mt. 12:50). Something inside the heart of the twelve-year-old Jesus was looking for those who did the will of His Father. He was looking for His true country. What was the perception of those in authority in Jesus’ life? What did this look like to his natural parents, Joseph and Mary?

Luke 2:50-52 But they did not understand the statement which He spoke to them. Then He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was subject to them, but His mother kept all these things in her heart. And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.

This is how you confirm you have authority: While your sitting in the synagogue, and destiny is burning in your heart, you know that this it’s your Father’s house, but you willingly choose to submit to the natural authorities of today.  No one seems to be catching it, but the proof that you are catching it is that you remain submissive in the natural. To be in authority, you must continually walk away from that which is going to be, and step fully into that which is. You must remain under authority. Jesus continued to receive training from those who were confused. It took them three days to find Him, though it was a two-day journey. They couldn’t figure out why Jesus would be in the synagogue, though the word of God had been given to both Mary and Joseph at His birth that He would be the savior of His people. The confusion of Joseph and Mary didn’t change who they were in Jesus life. They were the voice and expressions of authority. Jesus wasn’t thirty years old. He was twelve. He had to be faithful in the authority of a twelve year old in order be prepared for the day of the inheritance of a thirty year old. There is an age of inheritance and an age of changing authority. It is not necessarily a hard-set time in your life, but it is according to the timing of God and it includes a process of training.

Jesus began to establish His birthright as a twelve-year-old man. He let tomorrow’s destiny wait for tomorrow. He went back home and faced the reality of today! He wasn’t found among the relatives of the flesh. He was found seeking His relatives of the Spirit, but He let tomorrow’s destiny wait for tomorrow. He went back home and faced the reality of today! Like Abram, His call was to get out of His country. Abram had to get His Father’s sound in his name before he could receive the inheritance.  Abram walked for thirty years before he birthed Isaac. Jesus walked for 30 years before He became Jesus, son of David. Each went through years of TRAINING!

Food For Thought,

Ted J. Hanson

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