(51)  And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart.

Luke 2:51

Explanation:

Trait #3- Submission- Maturity submits to authority. v.51-52

Jesus submitted to His parents authority.  The verse says that He “was subject unto them”.  This means that He understood that He was under their authority in their home, and did what they asked Him to do.  His relationship in submission to His heavenly Father meant that He understood that God had placed Him under the authority of His earthly parents. Even though He is the King of the Universe, and Creator of everything, He placed Himself under authority and submitted to it.

What an incredible example for us.  Did this mean that Jesus was of lesser value than His parents?   Of course not.  He was of greater value being God.  Submission was not an expression or definition of His value.

Application:

The same is true for us.  The authorities that are in your life are placed there by God.  This does not mean that everything that they do is perfect.  It does not mean that they are loved more by God, or are of greater value to God than you are.  What it does mean is that God has given them a stewardship of authority for your good.  In Romans 13, God proclaims this principle in relationship to human government:

Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.  (2)  Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.  (3)  For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same:  (4)  For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.

Romans 13:1-4

The same is true in the home.  Husbands are to submit to their wives and wives are to submit to their husbands. 

Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.

Ephesians 5:21

The husband is to be the spiritual leader, provider and protector in the home.  He is to love his wife the way Christ loved the church.  God has put husbands in authority over the family and has stewarded them to lead the family. 

Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;

Ephesians 5:25

The wife is to honor and respect her husband and to follow his leadership.  She is of equal value to her husband, but has a different role in the home. 

Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.

Ephesians 5:22

Children are to submit to the authority of their parents.  Again, this does not mean that they are less valuable or loved by God.  It is just that God has given parents to children to teach them to obey and to help them to grow.

Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right.

Ephesians 6:1

A sign of maturity is that people understand and behave appropriately to the authority that God has placed in their lives.

Response:

What is your attitude and response to those that are in authority in your life?

• Boss
• Police
• Highway Patrol
• Teachers
• Pastors
• Parents
• Governmental authorities