by Prisca | 3 April 2023 08:46 am04
Praise be to our Savior Jesus Christ forever.
I invite you to explore the foundational truths about Jesus’ life before His public ministry a period that holds deep spiritual significance and lessons for us.
Key Verse:
Luke 2:52 (NIV) “And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.”
This verse shows Jesus’ full humanity, He grew physically (stature), intellectually (wisdom), and relationally (favor with others). , This highlights the doctrine of the Incarnation: Jesus was fully God and fully man (John 1:14). His life pleased God not because of supernatural works at this stage, but through faithful obedience, humility, and godly character, fulfilling God’s will perfectly in ordinary life.
God’s approval of Jesus here models the idea that holiness and pleasing God are not just about public ministry or miracles but consistent faithfulness in everyday life.
Key Verse:
Luke 2:51 (ESV) “And he went down with them and came to Nazareth and was submissive to them.”
Obedience is a key virtue, reflecting the order God established in creation (Ephesians 6:1-3). Jesus’ obedience even as the Son of God shows His perfect submission to God’s ordained authorities, modeling the ideal human response to authority. This obedience also prefigures His ultimate submission to the Father’s will (Philippians 2:8).
Key Passage:
Luke 2:41-49 (NIV) Jesus stays behind in the temple at age 12, showing His devotion and understanding that God’s will is central to His life.
Jesus’ statement, “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?” (v. 49) reveals His unique identity as God’s Son and His early awareness of His divine mission. It highlights the importance of spiritual formation and growth in the knowledge of God. This moment emphasizes the integral role of worship and study of Scripture in Jesus’ human development.
Key Verse:
Hebrews 5:7 (NIV) “During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with fervent cries and tears to the one who could save him from death…”
Despite His divinity, Jesus fully experienced human weakness and dependence on the Father. His earnest prayer life shows His reliance on the Holy Spirit (Luke 4:1) and demonstrates the model of intimate communion with God that believers are called to follow (John 15:5).
Key Verse:
Mark 6:3 (NIV) “Isn’t this the carpenter? Isn’t this Mary’s son and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas and Simon?”
Jesus’ work as a carpenter emphasizes His identification with ordinary human labor and the dignity of work. This counters any notion that holiness is separate from daily life and shows that God’s kingdom includes faithful work in everyday contexts (Colossians 3:23-24). His honest work and integrity foreshadow the righteousness that pleases God.
Examples:
NIV) Shows mercy as central to God’s kingdom.
These teachings illustrate Jesus’ role as the perfect fulfillment of the Law (Matthew 5:17) and the embodiment of God’s kingdom ethics lived out in practical ways.
Jesus’ life before His public ministry was characterized by:
This holy lifestyle fulfilled the righteousness God required and prepared Him for the mission ahead.
Hebrews 1:9 (NIV) says:
“You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions by anointing you with the oil of joy.”
If we want to experience God’s power and blessing, we must imitate Jesus’ pre ministry life prioritizing holiness, faithfulness, and devotion to God in every part of life.
Source URL: https://wingulamashahidi.org/en/2023/04/03/understanding-the-life-of-jesus-before-his-ministry/
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