Age 30 – A Reflection

This post was originally written and posted on my blog – Sermons On The Go, whilst reflecting on the scripturally monumental age of 30:

“So Joseph took charge of the entire land of Egypt. He was thirty years old…”

(Genesis 41:45-46)

“David was thirty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned forty years in all.”

(2 Samuel 5:4)

“Jesus, when he began his ministry, was about thirty years of age…”

(Luke 3:23)

Joseph: Prime Minister of Egypt aged 30; David: King of Israel (& Judah) aged 30; Jesus: began Ministry, aged 30.

What had been happening in their respective lives until that age when they came to prominence?

In Joseph’s case, he had been sold into slavery and wrongly imprisoned for 12 years prior to that age.

In David’s, he had become a fugitive in his own land for no just cause but for a jealous and vicious king who was after his life. He had been on the run for his life; had to feign insanity in front of his enemies so they didn’t kill him; had to search for refuge in his enemies’ land. It had been a tough life indeed, prior to that age.

In Jesus’ case, we aren’t expressly told what He was doing hitherto but a version says He began His ‘public’ ministry at that age; suggesting he had been ministering in private which is not far-fetched as the works Jesus did on this earth could only have come from close and diligent preparation with the Holy Spirit.

Regardless, age 30 brought in milestones in each of their earthly existences.

Joseph could have looked at David’s race before he turned 30 and wished he was ‘doing more’ with his life. He could have wished that he was the one who killed the Philistine giant with women chanting, ‘Saul has slain his thousands and Joseph his ten thousands’. He could have fantasised about serving in the king’s presence, knowing he was a diligent worker. He could even have desired being the one on the run for his life because it seemed like an exciting life with ‘so much going’ for him.

David could have wished that it was better for him to be in prison like Joseph rather than living the life of a wanted vagrant. He might have just wanted quietness and peace from Saul and prayed to rather be locked in prison rather than sleeping in caves with his eyes open and sword drawn.

Jesus could have wished that people knew all about His private ministry and His communion with God; how much potential and what great ministerial prospects He had.

But no, these three men faithfully ran their courses and all three welcomed milestones aged 30.

Are you looking at someone else’s race? Wishing to be in someone else’s shoes? Why are you slowing down your race? Why not let the end justify the means?

It could be 30, 43, 57, 64, 80, 97 or 115 but be at rest in your soul, hope in the God of your salvation, your Creator and persevere in your journey.

How did it end for these 3 men? Joseph died aged 111; David – 70; Jesus – 33.

Who is the greatest of the 3?

Relax!