GOD CALLING

Jesus was like us - a human.

Such a profound and comforting thought.

So I’m wondering…

How did Jesus know it was time to leave home and start His ministry?

Was He out hammering away in the shop, tinkering on a neighbor’s kitchen table?

Was He out taking a walk?

Was He in the local synagogue worshiping His Father?

What happened?

I have these thoughts – they have no answers – I just wonder sometimes. Especially at this time of year.

As I look over Scripture, it seems that God could have revealed the timing to Jesus in three ways.

First, He could have done a “Moses Appearance.” He could have told Jesus in an audible Voice – like when He spoke to Jesus when He was being baptized by John.

“This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy.”

That would have been a direct, unmistakable message. It would have been abundantly clear to Jesus.

NOW’S the time, Son!

Or could it have been an appearance by an angel?

God could have done an “Abraham Appearance.” He could have sent a heavenly messenger to proclaim to His Son that the appointed time had come.

Angels are great at announcing.

They had even spoken to Jesus’ parents, Mary and Joseph, about His arrival. It would have been an honored privilege to tell the Messiah Himself that God’s time had arrived. I’m thinking Gabriel might have had the “inside track” on that one.

Or was the call more subtle?

Was it the still, small Voice of the Holy Spirit?

Just a quiet prompting in Jesus’ heart – just a confirmation in His inner being that God was calling.

And then what did Jesus do?

Did He pray about it? Did He search the Scriptures? Did He talk to his mother about it? Did He doubt, even for a second, that He had heard correctly?

And once the call was clear, did He quickly and excitedly spring to His feet and pack His bags?

Or did He have a pre-Gethsemane moment? Knowing where this path would lead – to His death.

Did He know it would be only a short time away?

Regardless, these are all idle speculations of a person who loves to idly speculate (that would be me!) But, I think it’s valuable to wonder, to ponder – exactly WHO is this wonderful Messiah, this Jesus, who came to earth as a human, just like you and me…

Except He was perfectly obedient to God.

Every moment, every challenge, every decision, every emotion, every thought – He turned the right way. He listened well. He didn’t give in to temptation. He wouldn’t allow Himself to be distracted. He wasn’t deterred by suffering. He never once got side-tracked.

HE STAYED THE COURSE.

However the “call” came to Him – “Now’s the time” – Jesus HEARD, He TRUSTED, and He OBEYED.

Are we doing the same?

BLOG = “Blessedly Leaning On God!”