Are We Grown Up Yet?

The apostle John recognized three stages of growth; children, young men and fathers. Children were likened to sheep having little understanding and needing the shepherding function of constant supervision. When a child reached five years of age he was sent to Hebrew school where he was instructed by teachers until age fourteen. Once a young man reached the age of fourteen he had his bar mitzvah which signified that he had become a man. The descriptions of Hebrew culture indicate that if the fourteen year old was suitably responsible and had the financial wherewithal, not only could he be trusted with duties in the synagog but he could also marry!

Despite the terminology, the culture of our Bible does not discriminate. What applies to young men also applies to young women except they had a bat mitzvah at age thirteen. It should also be understood that what applies to fathers also applies to mothers.

It has puzzled me for a very long time why every Christian church I have been acquainted with has had a head man, called the pastor, and his congregation is often referred to as his sheep. It can't possibly be that the pastor, "the credentialed one," assumes he has a sanctuary full of children - can it? Of course the problem seems to be what is called the clergy, laity divide. This has the unfortunate result of keeping large groups of seeming adults totally dependent on their spiritual overseer. A dutiful reading of the scriptures would expose this unsanctioned divide as an Old Testament relic that was Father God's "plan B" after the people refused to obey His voice as required in Exodus 19:5!

Isn't it about time we follow the scriptures more closely? Isn't the Bride of Christ supposed to be making HERSELF ready for the Bridegroom? Isn't it time all members of the Body of Christ grow up into Christ and become spiritual adults? It is astonishing to find that our Bible scholars say Jesus' mother, Mary, became engaged to Joseph at age fifteen. We may not function as well in our early adult years without the benefit of the wisdom of years but the scriptural pattern suggests that we assume adult responsibilities early in the process. And, the scriptures do not support the concept of hierarchies at all!