Why the thirty-three years?

I’m going to paraphrase a question I heard the other day. “Why did Jesus have to live with us on earth for thirty-three years? If the death and resurrection of Christ Jesus was necessary for our salvation, couldn’t that have been accomplished on that most Holy of weekends? Couldn’t God the Father have just sent a fully formed Jesus, saying ‘You’ll die this afternoon. I’ll raise you on Sunday. And then you’ll be back here in a little over a month’? Why the thirty-three years of time with us?”

Almost immediately my mind went to Hebrews 4:15 “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.” I thought of this in terms of the wilderness temptations during which Christ Jesus remained obedient and was thus able to make the perfect sacrifice of atonement for us all.

But then Hebrews 4:16 and Hebrews 2:18 expanded on this. “Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need... For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.” It’s not simply about overcoming the trials to bear our sin and be our Savior. It’s about the aid we receive from Christ Jesus in our daily struggles.

God could certainly know all that each of us is going through – He knows everything! But how about the thought that He chose to come to know our perspective through experience, like Jesus did through His passion?

• Jesus came to know the challenges and the joys of vocations as a craftsman beside Joseph.

• Jesus would witness the challenges and joys of marital life through life with His siblings and in-laws.

• Jesus would know as a boy when Mary and Joseph disagreed what the unsettled air of a household could be until resolution and reconciliation were achieved.

• Jesus would also know the ups and downs of infancy as He watched the siblings raising their own.

God can certainly satisfy our curiosity about the need for thirty-three years when we

arrive in His presence. But these are just a couple of suggestion to ponder as we await our Lord’s return.