Pastor Barry's  "Chapter & Verse"  Day 200

July 19;    Luke 2:52;    46/260(III);    ‘Wisdom, Stature & Favor’

Luke 2:52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.

In Bible School, learning that Jesus Christ left His deity in heaven and came to earth as a Man (Philippians 2:7), was the single most profound truth that I was taught.  That opens up everything concerning the Example of the Lord Jesus and my ability to continue His ministry after He returned to heaven after redeeming humanity from sin and sickness.  This verse helps to reinforce this truth.  If the Lord Jesus grew in wisdom and maturity (‘stature’) that means He had a human brain.  As God, Jesus would not have to grow in wisdom, because He would know everything.  The Bible teaches very little about Jesus before His public ministry began.  This verse sheds a little light on the fact that even as a child of twelve, Jesus was interested in the things of God and the Word.  Joseph and Mary were returning home after the Feast of Passover.  Jesus was not physically with them, but since they were returning home with a number of others, they thought Jesus was amongst them.  When His parents realized that He was not with them, they return to Jerusalem and after three days, they found Jesus listening to and talking to the religious teachers.  At twelve years of age, Jesus astonished those who heard Him by His understanding and answers.  Long before Jesus’ ministry began He was interested in growing in the Word and being about ‘His Father’s business.’ His hunger for the Word and His character brought Him favor.  An example for the young..