In the Temple at Age Twelve

Even at the age of 12, Jesus was sitting in the temple in Jerusalem—with the conviction that His Father’s things were His highest priority. Even then He showed total devotion, which remained unbroken during His entire life. There in the temple He listened to the scribes, asked them questions and gave astounding answers when they questioned Him. Since the Gospels tell us nothing else about His childhood or youth, we can probably assume that He did not appear in public during this time. He waited patiently in dependence on God for the time appointed to begin His public ministry.

Baptism in the Jordan

About 18 years later the Lord Jesus was baptized by John in the Jordan. The calling voice of the Baptist reached its highest point with the announcement: “Behold, the Lamb of God!” (John 1:36). Shortly afterwards it was to fall silent—in contrast to the Incarnate Word of God, Whose ministry had just begun!

The Start of His Public Ministry

It’s very interesting to see what we’re told about the beginning of this new phase in the life of the Son of God. He made no great announcement, did no miracles and did not somehow push Himself to the forefront. Instead He prayed at the beginning of His public ministry when John baptized Him in the river Jordan. The intimate relationship with His heavenly Father was the starting point for His ministry. Everything He did came from this livingsource of fellowship. In this He is our great Example!

Prayer as the Measure of Spiritual Depth

Leonard Ravenhill aptly said, “No Christian’s spiritual life is deeper than his prayer life.” We can try to display spirituality in front of people, but in “your room” (Mt. 6:6), where no one sees us and you’re alone with God, all self-portrayal comes to an end. Martin Luther, George Whitefield, John Wesley, David Brainerd, Georg Müller, Hudson Taylor, Dwight Lyman Moody, Charles Studd, David Livingstone, Bakht Singh and many other servants of the Lord were all men of prayer. We know them today because of the things God has done through them. But the reason for this is especially because they often spent time with God and thus became useful vessels in the Master’s hand.

Devotion to Prayer

“We will devote ourselves to prayer.” (Acts 6:4)

Does every service you undertake also originate from vital fellowship with God? It’s mentioned of the Lord Jesus that He first prayed (see Luke 3:21) before He taught the Word of God in the next chapter (see Luke 4:16–19). The apostles also placed prayer before the ministry of the Word and said: “We will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word” (Acts 6:4). What are your priorities in serving the Lord? How much do you pray and how much do you serve? What is the danger of reversing the order?