How to Know the Will of God
INTRODUCTION
How many of you have ever thought your child was lost? Maybe you were in a store looking for some needed item. While browsing the shelves looking for the best deal you suddenly realize your child is not around. Your head swivels left. Then right. You crouch down to see if that little one is playing hide and seek under the clothing rack. He or she is nowhere in sight. Panic! Fear! Dread! Your adrenaline rushes and you instinctively begin to yell the child’s name. You begin going from aisle to aisle looking up and down while continuing to call their name. Can anyone relate to what I am saying?
Well, imagine that child is Jesus – the Son of God. Would you still panic? Would you still be afraid?
Let’s look at a very familiar passage in Luke 2:41-52. This is a story all parents can relate too. Luke, however, is the only gospel writer to include this narrative. Luke’s writing is so human – so real. Yes, Mary is the obedient servant of God. Yes, Joseph is the reluctant fiancé turned proud father. But in this story, we get a minute glimpse into the early life of the “Holy family.” The story begins with a feast, moves into fear, and then demonstrates faith.
THE FEASTS
Every year Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem for the Festival of the Passover. When he was twelve years old, they went up to the festival, according to the custom (Luke 2:41-42).
The Old Testament Law required all Jewish men to travel to Jerusalem three times each year. These trips coincided with what are called The Three Great Feasts: Passover, The Feast of Weeks (Pentecost), and The Feast of Tabernacles [see Deuteronomy 16].
Passover celebrated God’s deliverance of Israel from Egyptian bondage. Every family was required to bring a lamb to sacrifice at the Temple. They did this as a reminder that the blood of the lamb served a protective sign when the angel came through Egypt to take the lives of the first-born.
The Feast of Weeks (Pentecost), celebrated 7 full weeks after Passover, was a time to rejoice and remember God’s goodness. The celebration coincided with harvest season. People gathered to thank God for his provision. It also reminded them that God’s provision also brought deliverance from bondage giving them a reason to rejoice.
The Feast of Tabernacles recalled God’s amazing power to provide everything needed for life as they journeyed in the Wilderness toward the Land of Promise. Even when they were disobedient and rebellious God was faithful. And one wonderful day they entered the land of Canaan.
Joseph and Mary, being obedient to God’s Law, made the trip to Jerusalem to celebrate Passover. They were going to offer their lamb at the Temple and fulfill the required sacrifice. Do you see the imagery Luke is building? It is powerful!
RETURNING FROM PASSOVER
After the festival was over, while his parents were returning home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but they were unaware of it. Thinking he was in their company, they traveled on for a day. Then they began looking for him among their relatives and friends (Luke 2:43-45).
We need to see a larger picture here. Though men were required to make the trip to Jerusalem they usually took their families. As a matter of fact, because the roads leading to Jerusalem were often filled with bandits and robbers, people traveled in caravans for safety.
Sometimes entire villages would travel together to keep safe. In the American experience we might imagine the long trains of wagons moving from east coast to west along the Oregon trail. The caravans to Jerusalem were organized in such a way that the women and children walked in front; and the men traveled in the rear. They stayed together for the sake of security. Everyone looked out for one another children and belongings. Most of the time those in your village were members of your family.
At this time Jesus is 12 years old. In the Jewish tradition he would be considered an adult, but in reality he is still a kid. Well, at least that our Western 21st Century reading of the Scriptures would tell us. I imagine the responsibility of a 12-year-old in Jesus’s day was vastly different than what we know today in the West.
My wife and I currently live in Burundi, East Africa. As we travel into various areas of the nation it is common to see young children fetching water, carrying fodder for cattle on their heads, and working in the fields. Their experience as children is probably not far removed from life in Nazareth.
Jesus was in a season in life where he was young but culturally an adult. It is possible He could choose to walk in the front with Mary. Or He could choose to walk up front with the men folk.
Joseph and Mary, having made their sacrifice at the Temple, joined their caravan back to Nazareth. Now what I am about to say is speculation but it is a real possibility. Mary may have thought Jesus was in the back with the men. Joseph may have thought Jesus was in front with the women. But somewhere along the road, about a day into the trip, they both realized that Jesus was not with either one of them. I think they were probably stopping to rest for the night bringing Mary and Joseph together and that is when they come to the realization Jesus is not there!
Can any parent relate to this? I can! There have been times when I thought Sherry had the boys and I thought she had them – but they were off doing their own thing. There have times after church when we got in the car and the boys were not in it. Each of us thought the other had brought them out. So, back into the church we went to retrieve them from under the pew where they slept.
FRANTIC PARENTS
When they did not find him, they went back to Jerusalem to look for him. After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers (Luke 2:45-47)
Mary and Joseph leave their fellow travelers behind and go back to Jerusalem to find Jesus. He says that after three days they find Him. It’s important to grasp the timeline here. I’ve heard people say, “Jesus was hiding from His parents.” This is just not true. Luke’s story implies that Jesus was in plain sight and others knew where to find Him. Here is the timeline:
Day 1: Leave Jerusalem and discover Jesus is missing
Day 2: Travel back to Jerusalem
Day 3: Find Jesus in the Temple
They found Him in the Temple courts sitting among the teachers, listening to them, and asking questions. Because it was a required feast, many of the top religious scholars would have been in Jerusalem. They too would offer their lambs then discuss ideas about how God would one day send the lamb to pay the final penalty for sin.
What they did not perceive was that the Lamb was sitting among them. God robed in the flesh of a 12-year-old boy! The eternal Son of God who had understanding far beyond His own earthly years. The very Lamb these religious leaders argued about and hoped for, was among them! He was amazing them with His depth of insight and questions.
But Mary and Joseph’s reaction was not one of amazing, but of astonishment.
ASTONISHED PARENTS
When his parents saw him, they were astonished. His mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you” (Luke 2:48).
When Joseph and Mary found Jesus, they were astonished! Then “Mary the mom” comes out. Probably every person reading this blog, knows exactly what I mean. We know the mom eyes – right! Personally, I don’t think that Mary and Joseph’s astonishment is about Jesus’s insight. I think they knew exactly who Jesus was – Emmanuel – God with us!
I honestly believe they were astonished that He did not seem at all concerned about not being with His parents! That is when Mary the mom shows up, Son, why have you treated us like this? She is upset. She is tired. Worry has drained her.
Even though Mary knew who Jesus was, it did not stop her from having the concern of any other mom. The NIV uses the word “anxious” to describe Mary and Joseph’s feelings while searching for Jesus. Other translations use the words “frantic” and “sorrowing.” No matter the words, Mary and Joseph were upset when they could not find their son.
But Jesus doesn’t seem worried at all.
JESUS ANSWERS MARY
“Why were you searching for me?” he asked. “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?” But they did not understand what he was saying to them (Luke 2:49-50).
Luke tells us that Mary and Joseph did not understand what Jesus meant by His statement. I think these parents knew Jesus was the Son of God; but I am not sure they understood fully the mission God the Father sent Jesus to fulfill. In their frantic and anxious state, they couldn’t ponder the depths of Jesus’s divine and human nature. Their humanness is evident. Their love for Jesus is unmistakable.
Jesus, however, was saying to them, “I am the Son of God! This Temple is the earthly house of My Heavenly Father.” He was safe in His Father’s house. He was doing His Father’s business in His Father’s house. But Mary and Joseph failed to grasp the fullness of Jesus’s statement.
How often in our own frenzied life do we miss divine moments? I do. A few days ago Sherry and I were able to spend an evening with a veteran missionary couple. For more than three decades they have served in some hostile and hard places. Yet, as they spoke, the desire to slow down and be in the presence of God was their chief aim. They challenged my soul! Sometimes in the busyness of life my priorities get askew, and I miss the presence of God in the everyday stuff of life.
THE RETURN TO NAZARETH
Then he went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. But his mother treasured all these things in her heart. And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man (Luke 2:51-52).
In obedience to His earthly father and mother, Jesus joins them and they head back to Nazareth. Then Luke gives us 18 years of history in 14 words, And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.
The next chapter of Luke pictures Jesus as a 30-year-old man who is about to begin DOING THE BUSINESS OF THE FATHER.
What can we learn from this uniquely Lukan story? How can the life of a 12-year-old Jesus speak to us today?
APPLICATION
There are many lessons available to us in this story. We see Jesus is the Lamb. We see Jesus is God. We see a glimpse into the childhood of Jesus. We see so many things. But I want us to focus on just one idea – are we doing the Father’s business?
I cannot number the times in the last 30+ years people have asked me to help them discern the will of God. They honestly desire to be about the business of the Father, and they honestly desire to do what God wants them to do.
I think every true believer wants to know and do the will of God. Sometimes, in our humanness, we struggle to find clarity for life mission. If that is you, then I want to help. I borrow from Ron Edmonson’s blog, “5 Questions to Discern the Will of God.”[1]
1. Does What I Want to do Conflict with Scripture?
If you are planning to do something and it is direct opposition to the Scriptures – it is not the will of God! Sorry to be so blunt (I’m not really sorry, just wanted to ease the shock a little). God does not change His Word for you, me, or anyone else. The assumption is that before we make our plans we have talked with God and studied the Scriptures to know what they say about this thing.
2. Does What I Want to do Conflict with Godly Counsel?
Notice I said, “godly counsel.” Not the latest talk show or the latest self-help book (religious or not). Have you taken your plans to those who have spiritual authority in your life? Has there been affirmation or caution by these trusted people? I have learned that I don’t know what I don’t know; and I can’t see what I can’t see. That is why you and I need others around us who can know and see for us. All people, even Spirit filled believers, have blind spots. You and I need godly people to help us discern the will of the Father.
3. Does What I Want to do Conflict with the Holy Spirit in me?
The Holy Spirit dwells in every believer. The Bible tells us the Holy Spirit is a helper. He comes along side us to guide and correct. Often when trying to decide the will of God, the Holy Spirit will either give us peace or unrest. Sometimes, when we cannot get peace in our own spirit about a decision, it is because the Holy Spirit in us is trying to tell us something. I have learned that when He gives me peace to move forward, but not until then.
4. Does What I Want to do Conflict with My Life Experience?
God will often use the experiences of our life to mold us for a future purpose. God will stretch us and challenge us into new areas personally that we may minister broadly. However, sometimes taking a look at what God uses to form us will inform us whether or not we are moving closer to God’s will.
5. Does What I Want to do Conflict with My Passions in Life?
God’s will and your passions are often similar. God made you to enjoy doing certain things in life. God has wired you the way you are because He wants to use you and your passions to expand the Kingdom. What’s your passion in life? It could very well be the thing God wants to use to make a difference in your world.
A word of caution: you cannot process these five questions alone! I recommend a godly coach or counselor. Someone who is neutral and whose only concern is your spiritual well-being. Together you will explore these questions and more. If you are serious about knowing and doing the will of God, the business of the Father, then take the first step and invite some godly people into your journey. We truly are better together.
PRAYER
Father, your will is our desire. However, You perfectly know the weakness of our flesh and spirit. Yet, you dwell in us by the Spirit encouraging us on our way. Today we ask for strength to face tough truths about our resistance to Your calling. We repent of disobedience knowing Your forgiveness will set us free to obey. Give us insight into your plan for us. Give us godly people to encourage and equip us. And help my will to submit to yours.
In Jesus names, Amen.
[1] http://www.ronedmondson.com/2012/02/5-questions-to-discern-gods-will.html
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