Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man. – Luke 2:52
Very little is known of Jesus between the time of his infancy and early childhood until he began His ministry at the wedding in Cana. The exception is the time he remained at the temple in Jerusalem, right around the age of a Jewish boy’s bar mitzvah, where he was expounding on the prophets to the teachers there. But in today’s verse, Luke assures you that His childhood and youth was one in which He was being trained, by earthly parents and His Heavenly Father, in practical, down-to-earth things. In his young years, He found favor with those around Him and with His Father.
Growing in stature happens to most who have been blessed with healthy physical bodies.
Growing in wisdom, which is often defined as the right application of knowledge, is something that is learned. Growing in favor is based on one’s externals of temperament, collegiality, empathy, humility, and godliness – traits one fosters and grows into along the way.
What character qualities have you endeavored to foster in your children, or encouraged in grandchildren, nephews, or nieces? Compassion? Tenderness? Justice? Are there some you are still working on in your own life as you reach toward being more like Jesus?
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