Mark 6:3 tells us Jesus had four brothers – James, Joseph, Judas and Simon. I’m guessing this was a lively household. Do you have brothers? My brother is five years younger than me. I don’t remember much strife between us. He hit adolescence just about the time I went off to college, so I probably just got lucky!
As a result, I tend think about Jesus being a brother though the lens of my own children. As many of you know, I am the mother of a 15 year old boy and a 13 year old girl. Raising teenagers is hard. Because this is my current reality, my mind goes straight to my kids’ relationship with each other. Our house is currently full of “sibling rivalry”. My kids do not get along at all. Freddy (my 15 year old) loves to push Annika’s (my 13 year old) buttons. She reacts with the disdain of a typical teenage girl and the situation quickly spirals out of control. Generally neither of them is 100% right or 100% wrong in any one confrontation, so most days I just want them to stay away from each other.
What do you think Jesus’ relationship was with his brothers? As the perfect and blameless son of God, did he have wisdom he could impart to his brothers? I’m sure he did, we just don’t know much about it. Luke 2 ends when Jesus was 12 years old, and Luke 3 begins when Jesus is 30 years old and ready to begin his ministry. The gap between these chapters covers the pivotal years of growing and maturing through adolescence. Because Jesus was fully God and fully human, I have to believe he experienced the awkwardness of adolescence and ordinary sibling rivalry with his brothers. I wish the Bible gave us more insight into this period of his life. I think it could be helpful for me right now!
As I was cleaning out my closet this weekend, I came across the book Preparing for Adolescence by James Dobson (1978). This book is so old that I wasn’t even an adolescent when it was written! The last chapter of the book contains Dr. Dobson’s final messages of encouragement. These are timeliness! While he originally wrote them to teenagers in the midst adolescence, I found them incredibly encouraging as a parent this week.
- Today is not forever – …just hang tough – things will change. That fact is one of life’s certainties, and understanding it can help you cope with an uncomfortable circumstance. Tomorrow will be different (page 187).
- Normality will return – In some ways, adolescence is like a tunnel that has a beginning and end. As long as you stay on the road and keep your car moving forward, you can expect to emerge at the other end (page 189).
- Your very best friend – The final (but most important) advice I can give you is to remain friends with Jesus Christ during the years ahead. He loves you and understands all your needs and desires. He will be there to share all your brightest days and darkest nights (page 189).
The book Preparing for Adolescence was hidden in my drawer under a bunch of papers and other junk. I didn’t remember I had it, and have no idea where it came from. I am positive, however, finding it this weekend was God-ordained. He knows just what I need when I need it.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him and he will make your paths straight (Proverbs 3:6-7).