Countless books have been written about countless men. Some were important books about important men—some were obscure books about obscure men—but of all men there is one who stands out above all others in every way —and the number of books written about him probably out-number those written about any other man. The one to whom reference is made is Jesus Christ—the Son of God.
Christ’s life would, to everyone except himself, seem ordinary up until the time of his ministry. In fact, it appeared so ordinary that, when Christ returned to Nazareth to tell the “Good News,” his own neighbours said, “Is not this the son of Joseph the Carpenter ?” (Matt. 13, v: 55).
In all autobiographies, commentaries and life stories there are certain fundamental stages. In this, Christ’s life was no exception. But in the following four editions of this magazine, let us consider the life of Jesus during his four tempestuous years of ministry which commenced at Cana and ended on the Cross.
The titles given to the four articles will be :
- The year of obscurity.
- The year of public favour.
- The year of opposition.
- The year of the end.
In this issue, then, we will confine ourselves to looking over “The Year of Obscurity.”
Let us go back briefly to Christ’s birth and remember the circumstances. Conceived by miraculous means, yet born in humble surrounding, Jesus was no doubt raised in the knowledge and consciousness of the purpose of God.
We remember how, some 12 years later, after hours of constant searching, Joseph and Mary found the boy Jesus with the elders of the Temple “about his father’s business,” as Jesus himself described the incident.
Now, at approximately 30 years of age, in the prime of his life, Christ becomes acutely aware of his calling. During Christ’s life, John the Baptist had spent all his energy “preparing the way of the Lord.” Now, on the banks of the Jordan, John is approached by a man of similar age to himself with a simple request, “baptise me!” And John, recognizing Jesus as the promised Messiah, says (Matt. 3 v. 14), “I need to be baptised by you—and do you come to me!”
Jesus, however, knowing God’s will, insisted, and as he emerged from the waters of baptism God’s approbation was displayed in sign when a dove alighted on the shoulder of Christ—and God’s voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved son with whom I am well pleased.”
The first essential step had been taken in a life which was to be wholly dedicated to carrying out the will of God. Immediately afterwards, Christ was led in the wilderness to be tried.
In Genesis 3, verse 6, are recorded the temptations to which Adam and Eve yielded. The lust of the eyes ; the lust of the flesh, the pride of life. And, in Matthew 4, are recorded the same trials as they were experienced by Christ —but far from yielding to these temptations, Christ in his strength triumphed over them. These same temptations were to re-occur throughout Christ’s life, but his perfection prevailed until the end.
Some six weeks after leaving the wilderness prophet by the banks of the Jordan, Christ retraced his footsteps and was brought again face to face with John, and at this moment John know his work of preparation was almost ended.
On the following day, as Jesus was walking, he was seen by John the Baptist, who was talking to two fishermen—John (later the apostle) and Andrew.
“Behold”—and this was John the Baptist’s command to the two men : “Behold the lamb of God, which taketh away the sins of the world.”
So then, quietly and unobtrusively, without flourish or fanfare, the work of the wilderness prophet was completed and the ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ began.
With joy and gladness, yet not without a little fear, John and Andrew followed Christ and but a few hours later Andrew introduced his brother Simon to Jesus — “Thou shalt be called Peter” said Christ as he read the innermost characteristics of the mercurial man standing before him. The following day, the command, “Follow me” was given again. This time to Phillip, who had been a disciple of John the Baptist. And with the obeying of the command, the newly formed group set off on their three-day journey to Galilee. There lived in the town of Cana a man named Nathaniel, who was a great friend to Philip. Nathaniel first doubted the Messiahship of Christ but after only a few words with Christ accepted him wholeheartedly, saying “Thou art the Son of God—thou art the King of Israel.”
During their sojourn in Cana, the little group attended a wedding of some consequence and we remember how a crisis occurred. The host was running short of wine. A question would arise in Christ’s mind. Had his hour come ? Was this the right time to demonstrate the power he had received from God so that God’s name might be glorified ?
Although Jesus was hailed by his disciples as “Rabbi” and “Lord,” only Mary, his mother, knew, apart from himself, of his calling. Mary knew his hour was almost here and it was with special reason she said, “They have no wine.”
What then ? Must Christ use this power to turn water to wine or was this yet another temptation to be resisted ?
To be short of wine was to be disgraced in the eyes of one’s guests. Should Christ elevate this situation by the use of his God-given power ?
After careful and prayerful consideration the decision was made. The water was turned to wine and so was given the first sign of Christ’s ministry.
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One