Holy Boldness

2. In the very first recorded words of Jesus, He expresses himself with a classic definition of the fear of the Lord. To be about the Father’s business as a point of necessity is what the fear of the Lord is . Jesus was focused on one thing. To him, it seemed perfectly appropriate that in going to Jerusalem he should take the op portunity to learn as much as he could about the Lord and his purposes from the religious leaders. Part of the fear of the Lord is being focused on the will of God above all other considerations. 3. Jesus’ response revealed that He saw himself under divine obli gation. “Did you not know that I had to be about the things of my father?” The original Greek makes clear that Jesus felt the pursuit of His father’s business as an obligation. “Lit., it is necessary, or it behooves.” 8 This word is often used by Jesus concerning his appointed task, and expressing both the inevitable fulfillment and the absolute constraint upon himself. In other words, Jesus felt he was under a commission from the early days of His adoles cence. 4. Finally, it could be said that Jesus first recorded words serve as a plumb line of His entire life and ministry. He never deviated from being about His Father’s business. He declared His life mission from the tender age of 12. How was He able to have such clarity at such a young age? It was the fear of the Lord. The fear of the Lord creates clarity and focus. The stunning revelation of Jesus’ own self-understanding at such a young age, His development in the fear of the Lord, His insight into the nature of God as Father, His humility mixed with His intense focus all must have been a fascinating thing to watch up close and personal. We can only speculate what it might have been like. But it gives all more reason to appreciate the critical and delicate role of Mary and Joseph as His parents. It is to their credit that they did not respond further to Jesus after His candid answer to their veiled accusation. But it is also noteworthy that they did not cease being His parents. It takes someone who truly understands the fear of the Lord to assist in the development of one whose calling is much greater than one’s own. This is not only the challenge of Mary and Joseph but of all who truly want to cooperate

8

Abbot-Smith, G. Manual Greek Lexicon of the N. T. Scribners,

NY p. 99

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