One intriguing aspect of Jesus is His ability to possess knowledge that surpassed that of His parents. Often, parents may unintentionally invalidate their children because they do not recognize the true identities of these young individuals. Many parents assume they are more knowledgeable than their children simply because of their physical existence. However, as spiritual beings, children cannot be fully compared or understood through physical attributes alone. While they exist in a physical form, the essence of a human being transcends the physical realm. The life and teachings of Jesus encompass comprehensive information about humanity.
And when He was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem according to the custom of the feast. When they had finished the days, as they returned, the Boy Jesus lingered behind in Jerusalem. And Joseph and His mother did not know it; but supposing Him to have been in their company, they went a day’s journey, and sought Him among their relatives and acquaintances. So when they did not find Him, they returned to Jerusalem, seeking Him. Now so it was that after three days they found Him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, both listening to them and asking them questions.
And all who heard Him were astonished at His understanding and answers. So when they saw Him, they were amazed; and His mother said to Him, “Son, why have You done this to us? Look, Your father and I have sought You anxiously.” And He said to them, “Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business?” But they did not understand the statement which He spoke to them. Then He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was subject to them, but His mother kept all these things in her heart. And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and men (Luke 2:42-52 NKJV).
The narrative of Jesus can be interpreted as a model for child-rearing rather than solely a religious account. In line with family traditions, Jesus’ parents were fixated on child-rearing protocols. Unlike others, their Son was devoted to a divine mission. Their misunderstanding of Jesus stemmed from His reference to “His Father’s business,” while they presumed Joseph was the father. The dualistic aspect of Jesus went unrecognized; mirroring humanity’s often misunderstood dualistic nature. They were more concerned with the physical realm than the spiritual one they should have considered.
Unlike animals, humans are believed to originate from God. Genetically, we are descended from our earthly fathers, but spiritually, we are considered children of our Heavenly Father. This understanding was something that the parents of Jesus needed to grasp. Humans are seen as strangers in this world, and the world is deemed sinful because it contains humans, who utilize the same physical resources as other species. The sinfulness of humanity begins with adhering to the physical world instead of aspiring to be spiritual. Despite his young age, Jesus recognized the discrepancy of the physical time concept as it applies to humans.
The concept of limiting ourselves to a physical heritage has been perpetuated as truth since the time of Adam. This misconception is often passed down by our parents, and we accept it as truth when it is not. The phrase, “Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business?” implies that the misunderstanding of Jesus’ parents was due to forgetfulness. All humans are shrouded in this amnesia, requiring divine revelation to escape the confines of physicality. It is documented that Peter was the first to understand this.
When Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, saying, “Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?” So they said, “Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus answered and said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock, I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you lose on earth will be loosed in heaven” Then He commanded His disciples that they should tell no one that He was Jesus the Christ (Matthew 16:13-20 NKJV).
The term “Son of Man” is often associated with human beings, yet it can obscure their understanding of divine truths. When Peter acknowledged Jesus as the Son of the Living God, he revealed a truth previously hidden from humanity. People may accept familiar falsehoods as truth, even when the truth is contrary. For example, those who attributed grand titles to Jesus spread falsehoods that were accepted as fact. This illustrates how misconceptions can be unintentionally endorsed. From the moment of consciousness, we are taught that we are descendants of our biological parents. However, not all teachings are true unless verified by the original source.
Jesus was not mistaken about His divine origin. While His parents were confused, Jesus was trying to remind them of what they should have known. He was aware of His true Father, who was also the Father of all humanity. Yet, humanity had settled into the belief that their physical fathers were their true origins. When He commended Peter for his profound insight, He declared that His Church would be built on that very revelation. Appreciating the concept of being a member of that Church means recognizing oneself as a child of God.
Jesus is regarded as the preeminent figure in humanity, based on the belief in His divine origin. Peter, with the other disciples, should be recognized as instrumental in establishing the hierarchy within God’s Church. Engrossed in His Father’s work, Jesus had no time to spare for other pursuits. Even though His earthly parents were unaware of His true nature, He was cognizant of it, and they should have acknowledged His unique status. While tradition may reject this notion, the inescapable truth affirms it. The Spirit holds primacy over all that is physical.
The parents of Jesus cannot be blamed for lacking the knowledge their son possessed. However, ignorance should not be celebrated; it should be eradicated. This is why humility is recommended as the first step toward spiritual development. Those who identify as Christians are deemed to have risen above their earthly lineage. Worldly customs lose their importance, and allegiance shifts to the Heavenly Father. As a result, biological parents are regarded as less significant. Nicodemus struggled to grasp this idea, which hinges on the readiness to abandon falsehood upon uncovering the truth.
The belief that seniority is solely determined by physical age is misleading and can hinder the pursuit of truth. Jesus encouraged Nicodemus to consider the idea of being ‘born again,’ which suggests abandoning the constraints of adulthood for a new beginning. Our life is often influenced by misinformation, and dwelling on knowledge accumulated over the years is unnecessary. If this knowledge contains any errors, it leads to a flawed foundation. Therefore, starting anew is the recommended path.
The Gospels recount that Jesus’ parents were distressed by their son’s disregard for established traditions. Yet, their worry stemmed from the mistaken belief that they were his only parents. Jesus, on His part, was committed to guiding humanity and openly shared His divine paternity. While His earthly parents were confounded, His teachings were preserved for posterity. Thus, if Jesus professed loyalty to His heavenly Father, it follows that His genuine followers would do likewise. This underpins the Christian belief that Jesus embodies the way, the truth, and the life. The disciples frequently displayed a lack of understanding, bound by their human limitations, which Jesus consistently addressed and rectified.
At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” Then Jesus called a little child to Him, set him in the midst of them, and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Whoever receives one little child like this in My name receives Me. “But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea” (Matthew 18:1-6 NKJV).
The disciples were still caught up in the misconception of valuing seniority based on physical existence. They were yet to grasp the concept of being ‘born again,’ which involves relinquishing all ties to the physical self. To make his point, Jesus called a little child over. They needed to transform, to see themselves as little children, to enter the Kingdom of God. His example was fraught with the consequences of clinging to seniority rather than embracing a child-like stance.
The greatest challenge lies in humbling oneself to the simplicity of a child. This isn’t about pretending to be ignorant, but rather showing a readiness to learn. Having been disciples of Jesus did not guarantee seniority; they had to let go of the old to embrace the new. The essential aspect is the readiness to let go of one’s life and prepare for what is to come. Arguing over status is a sign of not understanding the true meaning of repentance.
The Church of God consists of spiritual infants with pure hearts and no pretence. Jesus refers to all as children, regardless of their adult status. These individuals are under the direct care of the divine, answering only to God, without the need for intermediaries. The concept of considering someone else as superior marks a deviation from this path. This echoes Jesus’ warning about the severity of leading others astray, likened to having a millstone tied around one’s neck and being cast into the sea. There can be numerous ways, one might be led to stumble, and Jesus emphasized that causing someone to lose sight of the Father is gravely serious.
“But you, do not be called ‘Rabbi’; for One is your Teacher, the Christ, and you are all brethren. Do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven. And do not be called teachers; for One is your Teacher, the Christ. But he who is greatest among you shall be your servant. And whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted. But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you shut up the kingdom of heaven against men; for you neither go in yourselves nor do you allow those who are entering to go in” (Matthew 23:6-13 NKJV).
In the context of Jesus’ teachings, the term ‘adult’ is often seen as a misnomer. It typically refers to those who are not aware of spiritual realities. Physical parents are considered mere guardians of their children, who are, in truth, potential children of God. Embracing Jesus’ teachings liberates one from the constraints of physical limitations. Being a child of God allows one to aspire to the same level as Jesus, albeit with the humility of an infant. A willingness to learn is essential, a concept that does not apply to those who consider themselves adults. With a comprehensive understanding of the Kingdom of God, Jesus instructed His disciples to see each other as brothers. He reserved the rabbinic title and that of being an instructor, solely for Himself. This sentiment was also reflected by Paul.
“For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise” (Galatians 3:26-29 NKJV).
Paul asserts that distinctions of race, class, or gender should not exist; all should be seen as one and treated equally. To categorize individuals in such a way is as absurd as trying to categorize Christ. Furthermore, Paul outlines that the order of resurrection is divided into three parts: (1) Christ Himself, as the first fruits; (2) those considered faithful to Christ at His return; (3) the remainder of humanity at the end, during the final judgment.
“But now Christ is risen from the dead and has become the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since by man came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ, all shall be made alive. But each one in his own order: Christ the first fruits, afterwards those who are Christ’s at His coming. Then comes the end, when He delivers the kingdom to God the Father when He puts an end to all rule and all authority and power. For He must reign till He has put all enemies under His feet. The last enemy that will be destroyed is death. For “He has put all things under His feet.” But when He says “all things are put under Him,” it is evident that He who put all things under Him is excepted. Now when all things are made subject to Him, then the Son Himself will also be subject to Him who put all things under Him, that God may be all in all” (1 Corinthians 15:20-28 NKJV).
According to Jesus, a person’s true birth date is the moment they acknowledge their spiritual existence rather than their physical one. It involves emulating Jesus and carefully following His example to walk in God’s light. A person who embraces this path will not stray from humility throughout their earthly life. It characterizes someone ready to forsake all physical attachments to follow Christ, the guide to the cross, to eliminate the physical. Adopting seniority in this world is attempting to adopt seniority over Jesus.
Andrew Masuku is the author of Dimensions of a New Civilization, laying down standards for uplifting Zimbabwe from the current state of economic depression into a model for other nations worldwide. A decaying tree provides an opportunity for a blossoming sprout. Written from a Christian perspective, the book is a product of inspiration, bringing relief to those having witnessed the strings of unworkable solutions––leading to the current economic and social decay. Most Zimbabweans should find the book as a long-awaited providential oasis of hope, in a simple conversational tone.
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