Now Jesus Himself began His ministry at about thirty years of age, being (as was supposed) the son of Joseph Luke 3:23a
And when the Sabbath had come, He began to teach in the synagogue. And many hearing Him were astonished, saying, “Where did this Man get these things? And what wisdom is this which is given to Him, that such mighty works are performed by His hands! 3 Is this not the carpenter, Mark 6:2-3a
The number thirty in scripture is important. It is representative of a significant event or responsibility. The age of thirty is the age of spiritual maturity. Among the Jews it was the age one could be “fully recognized as a rabbi” and ready for the priesthood. (Numbers 4:3) We see this throughout Scripture: Joseph went before Pharaoh, David became king, John the Baptist began his preaching.
Thirty is considered by psychologist and sociologist to be the age of transition “when one re-evaluates choices made in their twenties.” For some it is a crisis of identity and self-confidence. Many restart “things dropped twenty years ago.” The displeasure with society, feeling trapped by responsibilities, having a desire to teach or become a healer (desire a life of significance), or desire for a simpler life can cause one to attempt to restart life to better “fit their heart.” Thus a transition or transformation vs crisis is wrought.
From the outside looking in, it would certainly appear Jesus experienced this trial of transition. He began a ministry as an itinerant preacher/teacher and left a much more lucrative profession of tekton, or craftsman, builder. By lucrative I mean he got paid for services rendered! He was by no means wealthy.
Jesus was well educated in the Torah and His wisdom had earned Him the title of Rabbi and even Rhabboni, “my master, my teacher.” (Matthew 7:29) He was well known and respected for He had “favor with God and man.” (Luke 2:52) By this age, Jesus would have completed His own handwritten copy of the Torah for His own use (Numbers 17:18-20) as prescribed by the education of every Jewish boy and would have been a master at the craft He had learned from Joseph. His previous occupation would have put Him in contact with all types of people as He traveled about as a tradesman building shelves, doors, tools, and repairing furniture items. So life lessons on dealing with personalities and expectations are well learned.
Jesus is not suddenly ready to begin. He has been preparing since He was a toddler. (Proverbs 1:8) He attended Passover every year and met all the requirements of not only a teacher (rabbi), but a prophet, priest, and a king. (Hebrews 1:1-3) As He put down His hammer and chisel and walked out into the world, He was doing what He had been preparing to do. He was not walking away from something but into His purpose and God’s plan for His life. Jesus did have significant lifestyle changes: from having an income and caring for others to total dependence on others, (Luke 8:3) and from having a home to no place to lay His head. (Luke 9:58) He went from being in favor with His neighbors to being rejected in His hometown. (Matthew 13:57. Mark 6:4, Luke 4:24)
Jesus faced what many face today when it appears one suddenly changes direction and walks away from a career, family, or lifestyle. Some think you are a “brick shy of a load.” Those closest to you may attempt to “get you some help.” Was He tempted to explain and justify His actions?” God had other plans for Jesus and He may have other plans for us. Scripture reminds us: “Being confident of this very thing, that He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ: (Philippians 1:6). Our days are numbered (Psalm 39:4), let us “press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:14)
Life is one of constant transition. It is not just a midlife occurrence. We transition from childhood to adulthood, from single to married to widowed or divorced, we transition in and out of parenting, and into and out of the working world. How did Jesus face the trial of transition? Jesus faced this trial head on! Press ON! May our Father “Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is well pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.” (Hebrews 13:21)
Building 429 Press ON
Treading in very good company as life transitions,
Yvonne Jones
