Consider the profound weight upon Joseph and Mary. An angel reveals that the child Mary carries is conceived by the Spirit. The Gospels depict them as devout, shielding them from scandal, yet intensely aware of the holy responsibility entrusted to them. Joseph, in reverence, chose not to be intimate with her until after Jesus’ birth. This was a child who would require extraordinary care for His physical nurture and His social dignity.
Many Christian parents may not see it, but the calling to raise their children mirrors the sacred charge given to Joseph and Mary. The New Testament extends a radical principle: how we treat “the least of these,” we treat unto Christ Himself (Matthew 25:40). Therefore, the devotion required of Jesus’ earthly parents is the same devotion Christian parents are called to embody. We are caregivers to souls who ultimately belong to God.
The Origin of Identity
Jesus declared Himself “the way, the truth, and the life.” In a world stumbling in darkness, He reveals life’s true meaning. While children naturally inherit their parents’ traits, culture, and even faith traditions, Christ introduced a transformative truth: our primary identity is not earthly, but divine. At twelve, He reminded His worried parents, “Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” (Luke 2:49). His allegiance was first to His heavenly Father.
This challenges a common parental paradigm. Often, children are raised to see their existence as rooted primarily in their family—expected to adopt its religion, values, and customs, whether good or bad. Yet Jesus modeled that earthly parents are stewards, not ultimate authors, of a child’s destiny. True life flows from recognizing one’s origin in God.
The Tension of Tradition and True Faith
In many traditions, including Christian ones, the focus can subtly shift from leading a child to Christ to cementing them within a family or denominational identity. The expectation becomes: “Our family is Catholic, therefore you are,” or “We are Evangelicals, so you will be.” While teaching godly habits is vital, this can sometimes prioritize cultural conformity over a personal, living faith.
Jesus’ teachings were startlingly clear on this hierarchy of loyalty. He stated that one cannot be His disciple without “hating”—that is, renouncing primary allegiance to—father, mother, and even one’s own life (Luke 14:26). He instructed followers to “call no man your father on earth, for you have one Father, who is in heaven” (Matthew 23:9). His mission was to forge a new civilization of the Spirit, freeing people from every form of bondage, including uncritical allegiance to human tradition.
The Heart of a Steward-Parent
So, what does this mean for the Christian parent still holding on to worldly traditions? The challenge is that we continue to live in this world even though we no longer belong to it. This is why the Christian life isn’t something easy or carefree—it naturally brings about a sacred tension marked by fundamental opposites:
- Profound Responsibility: Parents are entrusted with the physical, emotional, and spiritual care of a precious life. They should love, protect, guide, and model Christ-like character with dedication, while understanding that the child’s future is ultimately not theirs to control.
- Released Ownership: They are stewards of a soul whose ultimate destiny rests between that individual child and God. A parent’s love must be unconditional, mirroring God’s love—a love that respects the child’s God-given freedom to choose, even if that choice is to walk away from faith. Parents must simultaneously recognize that the child is not their possession, even though under their care.
This stewardship means guiding rather than dictating. It involves creating a home where faith is vibrantly lived, not just imposed; where questions are welcomed; and where the child encounters the authentic person of Jesus, not just the rules of the household. It requires parents to be transparent about their own humanity and dependence on grace, rather than positioning themselves as infallible authorities on God.
Living the Radical Priority
This framework may reshape family dynamics. The Apostle Paul, while not condemning marriage, suggested that undivided devotion to the Lord could make singleness advantageous for gospel service (1 Corinthians 7:32-35). The early disciples often left occupations and families to follow Christ’s call. The point is not that family is negated—Jesus fiercely loved children and upheld marriage—but that commitment to Christ is the supreme, ordering principle. Everything else, including the sacred duty of parenting, finds its proper place under that lordship.
For the believing parent, this is both a liberation and a solemn charge. It liberates from the crushing burden of being the sole determiner of a child’s eternal fate. It charges them with the joyful, demanding work of nurturing a life while pointing continually to the true Father. They pray fervently, love unconditionally, guide wisely, and then trust profoundly.
Like Joseph and Mary, who were given a sacred responsibility, Christian parents are called to raise their children with love and dedication, remembering that each child ultimately belongs to God. This means seeing them not as possessions, but as souls temporarily entrusted to them, guiding them toward truth while honoring their value as bearers of God’s image.
This perspective brings a certain balance: parents are called to teach and protect, yet also release control over their child’s spiritual journey. True stewardship respects the child’s freedom to choose, loves without pressure, and points them to Christ rather than just family tradition or faith. It’s a calling that puts devotion to God first, freeing parents from the burden of outcomes and grounding their role in trust and faithful obedience.
Conclusion: A Custodian’s Love
Therefore, parenting requires a dedicated, unconditional love in nurturing a sacred stewardship, where a custodian’s love is paramount. The Christian parent labors as Joseph and Mary did—with awe, protectiveness, and faithful care—yet always with open hands. They know their deepest duty is to present the child to the Christ who already knows and loves them more than any parent ever could.
This path is countercultural. It may draw criticism from both secular society and religious tradition. It demands a faith that seeks God’s approval over human applause. Yet it is the path that acknowledges a beautiful, humbling truth: Our children are not merely ours to raise; they are God’s to redeem, and we are His appointed, grace-filled helpers in the sacred task.
Andrew Masuku is the author of Dimensions of a New Civilisation, laying down standards for uplifting Zimbabwe from the current state of economic depression into a model for other nations worldwide. A decaying tree provides an opportunity for a blossoming sprout. Written from a Christian perspective, the book is a product of inspiration, relieving those who have witnessed the strings of unworkable solutions, leading to the current economic and social decay. Most Zimbabweans should find the book to be a long-awaited providential oasis of hope, in a simple conversational tone.
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