When we think of Jesus, we often imagine him as a powerful and charismatic figure, surrounded by throngs of people, preaching and performing miracles. But what about the years before his public ministry began? What can we learn from Jesus’ hidden life?
One of the most striking things about Jesus’ hidden life is how little we actually know about it. The Bible tells us that he grew up in Nazareth, the son of a carpenter named Joseph and his wife Mary. Beyond that, there are only a few scattered stories from his childhood and teenage years.
But even though we don’t have many details, we can still draw some important lessons from Jesus’ hidden life. Here are just a few:
Lesson 1: Obedience to God’s Will
From an early age, Jesus was obedient to the Father’s will. In Luke 2:49, when Mary and Joseph find him in the temple after three days of searching for him, he says to them, “Why were you searching for me?
Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?” This shows that even as a young boy, Jesus understood that God had a plan for his life.
We too can learn from Jesus’ example of obedience to God’s will. Even when we don’t understand why things are happening the way they are or when we’re tempted to go our own way, we can trust that God has a plan for our lives.
Lesson 2: Humility
Jesus’ hidden life was one of obscurity and humility. He spent most of his early years living in a small town and working as a carpenter like his earthly father. There were no crowds clamoring for his attention or accolades being showered upon him.
Yet despite this humble existence, Jesus didn’t let it go to his head when he began his public ministry. He remained humble and focused on the mission that God had given him.
We too can learn from Jesus’ example of humility. We don’t have to be famous or successful in order to make a difference in the world. Sometimes the most important work we do is done quietly and without fanfare.
Lesson 3: Patience
Another important lesson we can learn from Jesus’ hidden life is the value of patience. Jesus spent years preparing for his public ministry, learning and growing in wisdom and stature.
During this time, he wasn’t idle or wasting time. He was simply waiting for God’s timing and preparing himself for the work that lay ahead.
We too can learn from Jesus’ example of patience. Sometimes we want things to happen right away, but God’s timing is often different from ours. We need to trust that he knows what he’s doing and that he will bring about good things in his own time.
Conclusion
Jesus’ hidden life may be shrouded in mystery, but there are still valuable lessons we can learn from it. His obedience to God’s will, humility, and patience are just a few examples of the qualities we should strive to emulate in our own lives.
As we seek to follow Jesus more closely, let us remember that his hidden years were just as important as his public ones. And let us trust that God has a plan for our lives as well, even when it’s not immediately clear what that plan might be.