Luke chapter 2 and verse 49 presents a then twelve-year-old Jesus trying to explain to His mother Mary that He had business to tend to for His Father.
I am intrigued by this story because the passage reveals that Jesus was a child. He had no change of clothing. He had no money. He had no means. His parents Mary and Joseph were not around and yet He had no fear because He was walking in His calling and His purpose.
Oftentimes we hear that where God has given a vision He also provides the provision. I fear that we have a thwarted sense of what the term provision means because so many of us are yet waiting to act. We're waiting on money, a house, a car, a job, a spouse, a something before quickening our faith by joining it with our works. I am learning to change my perspective more and more. I'm not actually waiting on something to do what it is that God has purposed for me to do--to be about my Father's business, but what I find that I'm waiting for is release. God's Word is filled with promises of how He can, He is able, He will and He has. My memory runs over with how He did over and over--not just in my life, but all around me in the lives of the body of Christ. What I'm trying to say clearly is that our provision is within our reach the moment that God gives us the vision. What we must learn and what Jesus humbled Himself to here is the proper season.
Still there's something else that moves me in this passage. The scripture does not tell us if Jesus is fully aware of His destiny at this age, but what it does reveal is that even at the tender age of twelve He was armed with the Word and ready to launch out and do what He had been called to do. The Word equips us. It qualifies us. It provides us with our experience with God so that we will know His voice, His will, His timing and His leading.
2 Timothy 2:15 tells us to study to show ourselves approved unto God, a workman that does not need to be ashamed with the ability to correctly understand and share the word of truth. It is interesting to me that this passage admonishes one to study to be a good workman. There is a season of preparation. That preparation endows us with the ability to internalize the Word of God and to comprehend it--not by natural understanding, but by spiritual revelation guided by the Holy Ghost.
Jesus came in a manger yet He was the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords. His glory was so great that a star brilliantly lit the night sky in His honor. However, His purpose was not to distract, but to usher in salvation for all. In order for Him to be about God's business, the business of reconciling souls, He had to be selfless. He had to be meek, but He was in no sense weak. He had to be humble. He had to be loving. He had to be thoughtful. He had to be caring. He had to be long suffering. He had to be patient. He had to be kind. He had to be peaceful. He had to be good. He had to temper Himself. He was equipped in the manger to carry out the work of the Father. Just like you and I are equipped to carry out the work of the Father for our lives.
In due season God moves men's hearts. He remembers the favor that He has toward us and He grants us favor with men. He puts us in a place where our gifts can be stirred and our faith can be tested. We grow as we learn that everything that He has given to us over the course of our lives has prepared us to be good stewards and good workmen.
Be encouraged today realizing that God's promises are yea and amen. What He has said He will do. It will come to pass. You have what you need for your journey. Arm yourself with the Word. Write His Word upon the table of your heart. Hide it in your heart. When God's ready to put you in the game, you'll be ready.
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