Have you ever wondered why Christ died while still a young man? Both then, and now, attaining wisdom and Godly leadership is attributed to our elders, not the young or middle aged. So, why did God choose for Jesus to be crucified at a mere 33 years, when life expectancy was at least in the hundreds of years? I’m wondering if there is an overlooked message in God’s timing.
This week, in honor of my earthly Father’s birthday, I sought quiet time in a neighborhood church — not the building I worship in on Sundays, but one whose doors were open. It was a beautiful, serene oasis occupied by a dozen or so people like me — the over the hill side of 65!!! It was while thanking God for the gift of my Dad that I felt God’s whisper: “You know I chose for My Son to be crucified and accomplish your redemption when He was only 33. Nothing I do is by accident or a random occurrence. Take time and wonder why I chose 33.” Thus, I began letting my thoughts wander from automatic contentment and wonder into inquisitiveness.
My first thought zeroed in on all the white hair surrounding me. Why are so many church congregations gray from Monday through Saturday? Is it availability of time, realizing heaven is near or having been raised when Church was the cloth from which you were clothed and not what dresses you on Sunday? Probably, all three combine to compose the explanation, but none of the three added up to any indication, even hinting at, why Christ died at 33, not 133.
My pondering let go of the elderly and refocused on centering my attention to Jesus as a young man. He came not to strengthen or support the older rulers of the Church. In fact, he shook them up, rebuked them and exposed not their sacred wisdom but their personal pride and waywardness. The men Christ chose to be His disciples were not the sage of God’s people but, rather, men most unlikely to be defined as learned, let alone wise. The Son of God was not concerned with the level of their Old Testament indoctrination. Instead, He considered if they could, and would, carry His New Testament doctrine to all God’s people.
Christ chose young men to preach salvation, teach the Gospel of Grace and reach all corners of the world with His Word. Young hearts on fire for the Lord and possessing boundless energetic souls was where our Redeemer looked to pick his leadership crew. Was this a foreshadowing for us to lean on today? Are 21st Century stagnant Churches in need of the energy of young adults to shake loose the complacency of accepting placid indoctrination and inject rip roaring enthusiasm into Christ’s living doctrine?
Did Christ possibly achieve Resurrection at 33 as a precursor for us to realize young adults are called upon to lead and shepherd, not to walk passively behind the fold — or worst yet, to be the most underserved and uninvolved members of the vast majority of present day congregations? If Christ, at 33, chose to revamp and re-energize mankind’s walk with God through the vessel of young adults, maybe today’s Churches need to do the same. Quite possibly, it’s more than time for young adults to shine God’s light into our churches. However, for young adults to step out of the shadow, churches need to recruit them as Christ did His disciples, engage their participation and encourage their leadership.
Jesus, at 33, possessed the power (and God’s perfect timing) to save us all. Where are we looking right now, today, for God’s chosen leaders to get us off our high horses and plant us back on our knees? Will these people of God be donning a thinned out head of gray hair, like the Old Testament Pharisees whom Christ censored, or might they be, like Christ, younger voices speaking God’s will and way? I have no answer, but my being has been awakened to a wondering.
Today, we look and declare we have no great, wise, spiritual leaders left to correct our wayward course, heal our hearts and cleanse our souls. Does this translate we are out of Hope? I don’t believe so. Maybe we are, currently, without an Abraham, Moses or Isaiah; but could God be sending a David, Daniel or Samuel? There’s not a meat and potato answer to this question; but it does serve up good food for thought.
Leaving that little Chapel oasis, I held not one absolute answer in my head, but my soul, without question, was deeply nourished.
Uplifted in a Broken Down World 