Dying for a Soda
Jesus came to this earth to be an example for all. From His childhood as well as from His manhood, many lessons can be learned. But often we do not really take time to dwell upon the period of His childhood; we tend to pass by the teachings of His early years. Actually, His life as a child is a school where many children and young people can be trained and be prepared for the duties of life. At home and in His daily occupations, He left a great example for the youth. The inspired word says: “For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps” (1 Peter 2:21). A study of His life, while He was a child and a young man will help us see the example He has given for us.
It is recorded in the Gospel according to Mark that Jesus was a carpenter (6:3). His life was filled with industry. He worked at the shop of Joseph and took part in the matters of life. No idleness was seen in His life. He was a laborer who did not live a selfish life. The inspired pen declares that Jesus “went about doing good” to people (Acts 10:38).
He explained to His disciples, “I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work” (John 9:4). In these words is seen the importance Jesus gave to time. Knowing that His time was short, He put Himself to work in order to accomplish the purpose for which He had been sent. The Bible teaches us on this point that we need to do with our hands whatever we can, for there will be a time when we will not be able to do them. (See Ecclesiastes 9:10.)
Let us, as Jesus, live a life of activity and do what is within our reach for the help of others, knowing that our time is short.
These days, at the age of eighteen, as is the rule in many countries, it is believed that young people are free to make any decision regardless of their parents’ wishes. Some children do not even wait until this age to act independently, yet the fifth commandment declares: “Honour thy father and thy mother” (Exodus 20:12). The life of Jesus on this point is a great lesson for all indifferent children. Inspiration records that “for thirty years [Jesus] submitted to parental restraint” (The Youth’s Instructor, September 1, 1873).
As a proof of respect and love for His mother, while on the cross and suffering from intense physical pain, Jesus, looking at His mother said: “Woman, behold thy son!” And then, turning His face towards John, He declared: “Behold thy mother!” (John 19:26, 27). Even at the cross, just about to die, Jesus remembered His mother and thought about her well-being. So, before His death, Christ entrusted the care of His mother to someone He knew would give her special attention. What a good example of love!
The fifth commandment is given with a promise: “That thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee” (Exodus 20:12). Children who want to live longer on this earth will honor their parents. They will not live in such a way to grieve the heart of their parents and cause them pain. They will follow the example of Christ. They will know and accept that “the fifth commandment is binding upon children as long as their own lives and the lives of their parents are spared” (Ibid).
The life of Jesus was characterized by prayer and consecration. At the age of twelve, He was already familiar with the Scriptures, which can be seen in His conversation with the doctors of the law at the temple (Luke 2:42–47). In His childhood, youth, and manhood He gave great importance to prayer and the study of the Scriptures. He would be seen early in the morning and in the evening time on the mountain praying and reading the word of God. (See Education, p. 185.) Should not this be our attitude? If Jesus gave so much importance to consecration, how much more should we, as sinners, give importance to prayer and the reading of the word of God?
The word of God tells us to pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17). And Jesus, knowing the weakness of human nature, said to the disciples: “Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation” (Matthew 26:41). Therefore, “at the beginning of the day, do not, dear youth, neglect to pray earnestly to Jesus that He will impart to you strength and grace to resist the temptations of the enemy in whatsoever form they may come; and if you pray earnestly, in faith and contrition of soul, the Lord will hear your prayer. But you must watch as well as pray” (God’s Amazing Grace, p. 289).
The visit of Jesus to the Passover festival at the age of twelve is to be considered by the youth of today. It was a custom among the Jewish people to go to the Passover feast every year. So Jesus was taken to that place, too, while He was a child. But the attitude He manifested was really striking. As He entered the temple, He beheld all that was being performed, especially that which had to do with His own life. Being attracted by the thought-provoking scenes, He decided to separate Himself and sought to be alone. He was so engaged in the things of the temple that His parents did not realize that they had left Him behind. (See The Desire of Ages, p. 78.)
Considering the sacredness of the moment, Jesus did not get involved in vain conversations. His mind was attracted to what was spiritual. He decided not to follow the example of those who, by their conversations, had lost sight of the spirituality of the moment. (See p. 82.)
At our camp meetings today which are, in a sense, similar to those holy convocations—are not our youth often indifferent in their attitude? They are the ones who sometimes chatter the most and are ready to yield to privolity which characterizes every vain conversation. Many think that a youth convention is a special occasion for amusements, soccer games, and so on. Would Jesus as a child take part in our camp meetings today?
Jesus never took part in earthly amusements; His life was in entire conformity to the word of God. The Bible says: ‘My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not.” “My son, walk not thou in the way with them; refrain thy foot from their path.” (Proverbs 1:10, 15). Jesus gave strict obedience to these words. “Often He was asked, Why are you bent on being so singular, so different from us all? It is written, He said, ‘Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the Lord. Blessed are they that keep His testimonies, and that seek Him with the whole heart. They also do no iniquity: they walk in His ways’ (Psalm 119:1–3).
“When questioned why He did not join in the frolics of the youth of Nazareth, He said, It is written, ‘I have rejoiced in the way of Thy testimonies, as much as in all riches. I will meditate in Thy precepts, and have respect unto Thy ways. I will delight myself in Thy statutes; I will not forget Thy word’ (Psalm 119:14–16”; Ibid., p. 89). May the attitude of Christ be ours, dear youth. Jesus will be a guide for you if you want to follow His steps.