19/3/18 – Numbers 7:66-89, Numbers 8, Numbers 9:1-14 – Luke 2:41-52 – Psalm 35:11-18

Numbers 8:24-26

“This applies to the Levites: from twenty-five years old and upward they shall come to do duty in the service of the tent of meeting. And from the age of fifty years they shall withdraw from the duty of the service and serve no more. They minister to their brothers in the tent of meeting by keeping guard, but they shall do no service. Thus shall you do to the Levites in assigning their duties.”

Do we ever really retire from the work of God? When something is such a huge part of our lives, how can we? there really doesn’t appear to be retirement in the kingdom – after all Moses only really got started when he was 80. God can use us whatever our age.

However – it’s also true that there are ministers in churches that go on longer than they should and the church suffers as a result. They faithfully plod on, but in many ways they become the problem. That’s not heathy either.

But here in Numbers, God does establish a good pattern. Forget the actual ages for a moment, as today we start younger and go on longer than this – but there is an order to the Levites.

At a certain age – when the service must be becoming too much for them… they don’t stop. But their role changes. They stop doing service in the tent of meeting – but they are not thrown not he scrapheap – they keep guard and minister to their brothers.

No retirement, but a change in role. It’s good model and is reflected in how we transitioned at New Life. It means that there is always a handing on to a new generation, but not a dishonouring of the old.

You may be an older person in ministry – it does not mean God is nearly done with you. Whilst there is breath in our lungs, we have a role. But at the same time, we must be ready for that role to change so that the work of service can continue to thrive.

Luke 2:48-51

And when his parents saw him, they were astonished. And his mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us so? Behold, your father and I have been searching for you in great distress.” And he said to them, “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” And they did not understand the saying that he spoke to them. And he went down with them and came to Nazareth and was submissive to them. And his mother treasured up all these things in her heart.

Have you ever lost anything? It’s not a nice feeling.

Can you imagine the panic here? Mary and Jospeh realising that Jesus had been left behind in Jerusalem.. both of them travelling separate and not knowing He was not with the other.

Imagine running back to Jerusalem – thinking “We’ve just lost the saviour of all mankind!!!!”

I have a natural reaction when I lose things… I immediately assume the worst and that it’s gone forever. My wife likes to gently poke fun at me when I do that… but I’ve never lost anything as important as the Messiah!

No wonder they were so upset with Him when they found Him sitting calmly in the temple.

His response is a very clear indication that Jesus knew, even at this age, who He was. He calls the temple His father’s house. He seems surprised that they didn’t think that’s exactly where He’d be.

Already He was teaching people and amazing people.

But there’s a verse near the end of this section that really jumped out at me. “he went down with them and came to Nazareth and was submissive to them”.

Jesus, even though He is God almighty made flesh, honoured His father and Mother. He was submissive to them. He honoured their rules and a moment like this did not happen again.

If Jesus kept that commandment… then we certainly aren’t above keeping it.

Ps 35:17-18

How long, O Lord, will you look on?

Rescue me from their destruction,

my precious life from the lions!

I will thank you in the great congregation;

in the mighty throng I will praise you.

Even in a difficult time – when everyone was against Him, where enemies seemed to be queuing up just to have a go… the Psalmist still thanks God. In the middle of the mess and the mighty throng of people, who it’s fair to assume were all seen to be antagonists – he still praises God.

Sometimes we just praise God when He rescues us from the storm… but we would get through it so much better if we could learn to praise Him in the middle of it.