PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Luke 2:41-52
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.” (Luke 2:52)
Too often we lose sight of the humanity of Jesus.
Jesus did not have divine powers, he had to grow in wisdom and stature.
He did not know the future, he did not have power to heal others.
Don’t get me wrong, I am not saying such things did not happen.
But Jesus was human like us; anything miraculous he did was with God’s help.
Growing up, Jesus was open to learning from God and people.
What drove him was his heart for God, and his determination to obey God.
People noticed this, and he grew in favour with God and people.
Jesus is confirmed as God’s faithful son in his baptism and in the desert. (Luke 3:21-22, 4:1-12)
From then on Jesus performed miracles “in the power of the Spirit.” (Luke 4:12-13)
I am not – and cannot be – sinless, but I can grow in wisdom with Jesus too.
I have no miraculous powers, but I can do “greater things” (John 14:12) with Jesus too.
The question for me is what is driving my heart; do I have a heart for God and people?
Am I eager to be with my Father, listening and learning so that I grow too?
PRAYER
Lord, because of you I am God’s son too, filled his God’s Spirit. Help me to grow in my heart for God and people!
Lord thank you for your reminder again to treasure these things in our hearts. Thank you for showing us how you speak through Mary, who was visited by angels, but also pondered upon the little signs and hints from You and didn’t miss the details.
I know the big story of the Bible is that the God the Father the creator of the universe wants to connect with mankind – with me. Jesus is also part of God – so its not strange that he replies to his parents: “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?”. I think now more in spiritual terms than in physical terms – I want to be in God’s presence – and the closeness comes to me when I read scripture, when I enjoy uplifting music, when I marvel at the beauty of creation – or look into a microscope – or when I begin understand how something works – whether physical or biological. My fascination is praise to the creator! Then I feel I’m in the Father’s house! I want more!
Doing the Lord’s business. Called to serve. Growing in the Lord Jesus did. Samuel did. Moses did. And I must too. I am His and He is mine and He created me to serve Him and those I meet and greet. Growing in favour with God and man. Help me daily Lord to be an instrument of Your peace.
Lord, Make us instruments of your peace,
Where there is hatred, let your love increase
Lord, make us instruments of your peace,
Walls of pride and prejudice shall cease
When we are your instruments of peace.
Where there is hatred, we will show his love
Where there is injury, we will never judge
Where there is striving, we will speak his peace
To the millions crying for release,
We will be his instruments of peace
Lord, Make us instruments of your peace,
Where there is hatred, let your love increase
Lord, make us instruments of your peace,
Walls of pride and prejudice shall cease
When we are your instruments of peace.
Where there is blindness, we will pray for sight
where there is darkness, we will shine his light
Where there is sadness, we will bear their grief
To the millions crying for relief,
We will be your instruments of peace.