I remember the day I was baptized like it was yesterday. Dad had just preached a sermon entitled "Hell and who will be there," and I made up my mind that I wasn’t going to be in that number. I went forward, and close on my heals was Mike Etter. Mike and I were the same age, and I guess, of the same heart. Both of us were frightened for the well-being and safety of our souls.

There was no baptistry at the Maryvale building in those days. We had to go over to the old Westside building on Indian School Road. The trip was only about four miles, but it was filled with apprehension that we might have a wreck and be killed on the way. What a relief it was to have been baptized and had my sins taken away! It was the biggest event in my life.

Funny thing, I don’t remember the day or exactly how old I was.

I do know that I was awfully young. I was probably about twelve or thirteen. But I do know that I was young, and that age seems terribly young to me now. In fact, twelve year olds are getting younger every year. But I was convinced and convicted. I could no longer withhold myself from my Lord or say no to him anymore.

In the book of Luke we have the only story of Jesus’ boyhood. We find it in Luke 2:40-52.

"And the child grew, and waxed strong, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God as upon him. And his parents went every year to Jerusalem at the feast of the passover. And when he was twelve years old, they went up after the custom of the feast; and when they had fulfilled the days, as they were returning, the boy Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem: and his parents knew it not; but supposing him to be in the company, they went a day's journey; and they sought for him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance: and when they found him not, they returned to Jerusalem, seeking for him. And it came to pass, after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both hearing them, and asking them questions: and all that heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. And when they saw him, they were astonished; and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I sought thee sorrowing. And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? knew ye not that I must be in my Father's house (my Father's business - KJV)? And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them. And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth; and he was subject unto them: and his mother kept all these sayings in her heart. And Jesus advanced in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men."

There are several lessons that we can take from this, and all are important for all of us at every stage of our lives. We want to consider a couple of them here.

First, Jesus was doing his Father’s work at an early age. When you think of what the young people of today involve themselves in, it make you shake your head. Jesus could have been more interested in childish things, or even involved in the pursuit of "youthful lusts," which Paul told Timothy to flee (2 Tim. 2:22), but he was busy doing religious things. When will young people learn that it is okay to do that. They have been convinced by their peers that there is something wrong with you if you "get religious" too early, and they are encouraged by teachers to be independent from their parents in such matters.

Young people, you need to understand that you are just as responsible for your behavior as us older folks. Paul told us, "Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting" (Gal. 6:7-8). We have a tendency to excuse the misbehavior of young people sometimes on the basis of their age. But youth is no excuse for sin.

Think of the wonderful things you can do for the Lord if you are faithful. You have friends you will never see again. At your young age, your friends will listen to what you have to say about what you believe perhaps for the last time. We need to be busy for the Lord, no matter how young or old we may be.

Second, Jesus took his work seriously. Young people, those of you who have been baptized into Christ, you have made a commitment of your life to God. The work that God has for you is not a game or a rite of passage into adulthood. It is more serious even than life or death. What we do and how we live will influence the eternal destiny of dozens of souls, and through them thousands. We must allow nothing to interfere.

Jesus said, "I must be about my father’s business." He was not merely referring to requirements made of him concerning accomplishing God’s work. He was talking about the inner compulsion that accompanies conviction. God’s work is so important, so vital, that it must occupy the core center of our lives and activity. Do not let someone tell you that you are too young to be involved in such. If you are old enough to obey the gospel, you are old enough to let the Lord have what is his – your best effort to exercise you talent for his cause.

Too many of us who are older do not understand the importance of taking this work seriously. Too often we excuse ourselves from what God has set before us because it is too hard, it isn’t interesting, or it interferes with other things.

Paul tells us, "Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another; Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;" (Rom 12:10-11).

Then he said to Titus, "Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work" (Titus 3:1). Souls depend on us. "Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins" (James 5:20).

Third, Jesus had a knowledge of his task.. "And it came to pass, after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both hearing them, and asking them questions: and all that heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers." The seriousness of our work demands that we also know what we are doing as well.

Our task as Christians is to teach others (Matt. 28:19-20). But first we must learn. Peter said, "But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen" (2 Peter 3:18). Paul tells us how that is done: "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth" (2 Tim. 2:15).

At this point it would be so easy for us to say that the example of Jesus in this story is for the young people. I disagree. I believe it is for all us, where ever we are in life. The example is not just that Jesus started when he was a little boy. It is that he started as soon as it was possible. He was so filled with the urgency of the task, that he got right on with it.

What about us? Will we delay any longer? Let us begin today, right now, giving the Lord what he deserves and desires.