Luke 2:51-52
“Then he went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. But his mother treasured all these things in her heart. And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.”
I remember a college student who was incredibly brilliant. He always had an arm load of books and at every opportunity he was reading and studying. It should come as no surprise that he was a straight-A student. There was just one problem—he was a complete social misfit.
It is an interesting project to use the Scripture in order to get a picture of what the teen-age years of Jesus must have been like. Actually we are told nothing of these years. There is something of a twenty-year gap from today’s Scripture and when He performed His first miracle in Cana and began His public ministry.
You may recall that today’s Scripture followed the incident when He remained at the Temple in Jerusalem after His parents had left for Nazareth. He had been asking questions of the spiritual leaders and amazed them with His answers.
After His parents confronted Him with their frustration that they had spent three days searching for Him, He willingly came under their authority. I am sure that He would have preferred to remain in His Father’s House—but He came under their authority and returned with them to Nazareth.
Have you ever known teens who grudgingly followed their parents, but demonstrated an attitude of rebellion? Jesus willingly went with His parents, and we are told something about his development.
1. Jesus grew: “in wisdom.” That indicates that the Son of God studied the written Word of God. I cannot understand that, but it is not necessary that I understand all things. But one thing I know—it tells me that we will never come to the place where we know it all. We should commit ourselves to be lifelong students of God’s precious Word.
2. Jesus grew: “in stature.” This is the physical area of life and we should be aware of the importance of using this body of ours for God’s purposes and not our own desires. Isaiah 58:11: “The LORD will guide you always; He will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.”
3. Jesus grew: “In favor with God.” We find favor with God by being obedient to Him. When we read in His Word that we are to do something or refrain from doing it, we need to obey. Just as obedient human children please their parents, so we please Him by obeying His commands.
4. Jesus grew: “In favor with men.” This is social growth. As Christians we must have a socially pleasing personality. Oddball kooks are not a good representative for Christ. They should see the Jesus in us and feel that we are approachable.
How do you stack up? Are you growing in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ? Are you producing spiritual fruit? Do you think the Lord is pleased with your growth?
Blessings dear hearts. Walk with God today. Trust Him completely and become a real blessing.
— Pastor Cecil