Thinking of children as they grow up, they get stronger, both in body and in mind and in spirit. We all start lowly and in need of growth and learning. Even Jesus, as he was fully man, grew in body, mind, and spirit just the same.
“40And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom. And favor of God was upon him.” – Luke 2:40 (ESV)
I see this verse and realize just that, Jesus was a boy like I was and grew into a man just as I did. The difference in Jesus and me is that Jesus was God as man and there was a great bit of knowledge he already had that I needed to grow into.
Even as Jesus had knowledge already, it is still stated that He “grew and became strong”. Jesus was in the world as man, like me. He was here and grew as I did. He was a boy who found His way as I did as a child. He had opportunities as I did to learn and grow. He continued to find His way as a child and as God.
“46After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teacher, listening to them and asking them questions. 47And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers.” – Luke 2:46-47 (ESV)
Jesus, even God as man, was in the temple growing and learning from the teachers. Notice that the verses do not say he was teaching, but that He was listening and asking questions. Jesus was growing and learning. He continued to grow strong even as God as man.
Growth and learning should be a part of all of our lives. Even as Jesus was learning from those around Him, so should we. Whereas Jesus learned so much at such a young age, and I did/do not, I should still continue to grow strong throughout my life as Jesus did throughout His.
I know Jesus became the teacher, but He was still learning even as He prayed on the Mount of Olives just prior to His crucifixion.
“42saying, ‘Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.’” – Luke 22:42 (ESV)
Jesus was growing in His knowledge even at the end of His life. He had the ability to stop the crucifixion be God as man, but in God’s wisdom, He ensured this was a learning opportunity for Jesus just as most other opportunities we encounter.
I have to remember that I am just a man and that even as Jesus grew strong late in life, I can still grow stronger as I go through this world late in my life.
Are you still growing? Are you under the impression that you have learned it all and have no more growing to do? What if you approached each day as another to grow strong in body, mind, and spirit?
Trevor's Thoughts 