The Consecration of the Christ

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This week in Bible study, we focused on the consecration of the Christ.  This stage shows off Jesus’ immensity.  This period, spans age 2 to age 30.  This time period covers the largest section of Christ’s life with the least amount of information, but it mainly focuses upon Christ growing and John the Baptist pointing towards him.

Info to remember from this Christology section:

  • Loved God’s Word – The only event we know from Jesus past the time when the wise men came around age 2 is a story about him being left in the temple.  Don’t call DSS on Mary and Joseph.  In a large family caravan, they had a Home Alone moment, ran back and found him dumbfounding all the religious teachers there.  His response to his parents, “You knew I had to be about my Father’s business.”  This info is recorded in Luke who most likely interviewed Mary.
  • Grew in Favor – Luke 2:52 summarizes this 28-year period when he says that Jesus developed in stature and wisdom, and grew in favor with both God and man.  That is an accomplishment that few people can do.
  • Clearing the Way – John the Baptist was clearing the way for the Messiah.  Eating locusts, wearing camel hair, and setting up his podium in the desert, people were coming out to hear his controversial message about repentance and baptism.
  • Preparation – Jesus spent 30 years preparing for 3 years of ministry.  Most ministers do the opposite with the percentage and spend 4 years preparing for 40 years of ministry – just a thought.
  • Trinity – At Jesus’ baptism, we see a clear picture of the Trinity as Jesus is baptized, the Spirit descends upon him, and the Father says, “This is my son, in whom I am well-pleased” (which is a good model for any father, by the way).
  • Baptism – Jesus requests to be baptized by John the Baptist, his cousin.  John doesn’t want to because he knows he doesn’t even deserve the opportunity to undo his sandal.  Jesus insists, and this moment serves as a way to embark upon his ministry stage.  In Jewish culture, someone turned 30, they could become a Rabbi and life really started.
  • John the Baptist’s Example – In John, we see a picture of a man who was losing followers and having the crowds diminish when Jesus got on the way.  But as the best man to the groom, he cheered for the groom seeking his bride.  He pointed his own followers to start following Jesus.  Jesus must increase, John the Baptist must decrease.
  • John the Baptist’s End – While this comes later in the gospels, it is important to notice that John the Baptist had a moment of crisis in Matthew 11.  Sitting in a jail cell, he sent his disciples to ask Jesus if he really was the one or if they should wait for another.  Discouragement had set in, and he didn’t know this supposed Messiah wasn’t busting him out of the slammer.  Jesus responds to look at the proof of what was happening – the kingdom was expanding.  And as his disciples began the trek back, Jesus said there was no one greater in the Kingdom than John.  This reveals that Jesus isn’t afraid or offended by our doubts or questions as long as we bring them to him!