Dear Friends,
Today we read Luke 2. This chapter was quoted by our children at my first church in Barrington, NH each Christmas season. As they stood together to quote it, our hearts were blessed beyond words!
It is difficult to pick just one verse in this chapter to focus on but let us ponder this one:
And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.
NIVO Luke 2:52
This verse describes the childhood of our Lord Jesus. Jesus matured in stages. His physical growth is normal as far as we can tell. He also matured in wisdom. He grew in wisdom as we do, by reading and studying the Word of God. His intelligence and perceptions were remarkable even to the leading Rabbis of his day (2:46-47).
He appears to be quite normal yet we know he was unique! Jesus obeyed his parents (2:51) perfectly! He never sinned against them. He never argued or disputed their instructions. Jesus always pleased His heavenly Father! The Father later would testify “You are my beloved Son, whom I love, with you I am well pleased.” (Luke 3:22).
His growth led to recognition of “favor” with both God and men. My lexicon defines “favor” as “a winning quality or attractiveness that invites a favorable reaction, graciousness, attractiveness, charm, winsomeness.” Our top priority as disciples of Jesus is to please our heavenly Father (see 2 Corinthians 5:9-10). Often when we please God, we are pleasing to others. However, we know by experience this is not always the case. (see 1 Peter 4:12-16).
This simple verse defines my prayer for myself, my wife, my children, my grandchildren and all my friends. May God give us growth in our bodies and in our souls! As a result, may we live lives that reflect His Spirit at work in our lives!
Let me leave you today with a great challenge that uses the same word “favor” –
Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.
NIVO Colossians 4:6
Live in the grace of Jesus today!
Pastor Rick