Monday Memo 1136: Young Jesus

Because the focus of the gospel accounts is on Jesus as an adult, we often don't consider that He was once young and grew up like any other person. That means Jesus was like us in every way, except He could not sin: "Since the children, as he calls them, are people of flesh and blood, Jesus himself became like them and shared their human nature" (Hebrews 2:14). And that means He left us a path to follow to enable us to find God's will just like He did. We read in Luke's gospel,

After the festival was over, while his parents were returning home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but they were unaware of it. Thinking he was in their company, they traveled on for a day. Then they began looking for him among their relatives and friends. When they did not find him, they went back to Jerusalem to look for him. After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers (Luke 2:43-47).

In this story, Jesus was probably around the age of 12, but already He was searching for His Father's will. He knew where He should be and how He should spend His time.

Jesus went off to pursue God's will and His parents were searching for Him, not knowing that He had stayed behind. His mother was upset with Him and said, "When his parents saw him, they were astonished. His mother said to him, 'Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you',” (Luke 2:48) to which Jesus replied, “'Why did you have to look for me? Didn't you know that I had to be in my Father's house?' But they did not understand his answer" (Luke 2:49-50).

There is no need for you to run away from home to find God's will and you should include your parents in your plans whenever possible, but the lesson in this story for any young person is this: You are never too young to seek the Lord and His will for your life. Jesus sought out adult teachers who knew the Bible and He wanted to spend time with them. He asked them questions and shared what He knew and saw. He amazed the adults He was meeting with because He had a good understanding of God's word even though He was young.

What about you? Are you interested in knowing the Bible? Do you think about being in ministry, perhaps as a missionary, teacher, or pastor? Or maybe your interests lie in the military, medicine, or music? Jesus was a young child just like you are, but He knew what He was interested in, and He wasn't afraid or ashamed to pursue His call. You shouldn't hesitate to do so either, for God speaks to people and reveals His will regardless of age, young or old.

Others may think you are too young for such thing and may not understand your interests, but God is with you. Don't hesitate to make Him and His will the number one priority in your life, no matter what adults or your peers may say or think. If you seek Him, just like Jesus, you are sure to find Him. Have a blessed week.