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Sons To Glory
much grain.” (John 12:24) This is foolishness to the world, but brings
God glory because no flesh can boast in what “I’ve done for God.” The
focus is on Christ and what He has done for us. Paul testifies:
“For I have been crucified with Christ, and it is no longer I who
live, but Christ lives in me. And the life which I now live in the
flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave
Himself for me.” (Gal. 2:20)
The Greek words used in the Scriptures for “sons” also reveal a three
level pattern to spiritual growth: Infancy is “teknion,” while puberty is
“teknon” and finally maturity is “huios.” Most importantly, the life of
Jesus reveals the same spiritual growth pattern with three major
milestones marking public attention to His maturity as a son in the
Hebrew culture. The first was Circumcision and baby dedication,
which happened at the temple when Jesus was only eight days old
(Luke 2:21-35). This marks a Hebrew child as a “Covenant Man.”
The second was the Hebrew Bar-Mitzvah meaning “son accountable”
which Jesus also publicly celebrated in the temple at the age of twelve.
This marks the time when a son was able to become an apprentice
under his father in the family business. This is why Jesus said to his
parents, “I must be about My Father’s business” (Luke 2:41-52).
Finally, a “Huiothesia” was celebrated around the age of thirty, which
marks the age of maturity. This occurred in the life of Jesus at the
beginning of His ministry when He was baptized by John (Matthew
3:13-17). Here is some history about this Hebrew maturity rite of
passage:
“The word Huiothesia means “Son Placement” and indicates the
time when a male child reached what was considered to be the
age of maturity somewhere around thirty. At this time, the father
of the young man would place his hand on the head of his son and
openly proclaim, “This is my beloved son in whom I am well
pleased! I bestow upon him now all of my riches and power and
authority (through power of attorney) so that he might act on my
behalf in all of my affairs.”” 24
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