RPG Adults
JESUS GREW IN BODY, MIND AND SPIRIT
TUESDAY, APRIL 15
Luke 2:40-52
Ephesians 6:1-4
“And the child grew,
and waxed strong in spirit…”
JESUS GREW IN BODY, MIND AND SPIRIT
Jesus grew up like any normal child (cf. Luke 1:80), but with one exception. He was perfect, without sin (Heb 4:15). He was perfect right from the start. As such, He was man’s perfect Representative in God’s redemptive plan.
Jewish boys become a bar mitzvah (“a son of the law”) when they reach the age of twelve. As a bar mitzvah, they assumed personal responsibility in keeping the Law. So to inaugurate this important stage of His life, Jesus, when He was twelve years old, accompanied Joseph and Mary to Jerusalem to keep the Passover. The Passover festival commemorates the “passing over” of the children of Israel when God slew the first born of Egypt (Exod 12:11-28, 23:14-17). Jesus made sure He kept the Passover Law for our sake.
In Jerusalem, Jesus revealed His Messianic awareness. By this time, His knowledge and understanding of the Old Testament had surpassed even those of the doctors of theology in the temple. Jesus, like a model student, heard their lectures and asked questions. We can be sure there were questions He asked that stumped the learned rabbis. And when a theological problem was raised, He was able to offer an authoritative answer. This we know from Luke who reported, “And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers.”
Jesus, as a young boy, knew the reason why He was on earth. He told Joseph and Mary, “I must be about my Father’s business.” As God the Son, Jesus knew very well the mission God the Father wanted Him to accomplish. He stayed on in the temple because He was obedient to His Father’s will.
Jesus not only perfectly obeyed His Father in heaven and His parents on earth, in terms of His reputation among the neighbours, He was undoubtedly well-liked — He increased “in favour with… man.” Jesus was a most lovely and lovable child. None had trouble with Him.
THOUGHT: “Read your Bible, pray every day, and you’ll grow, grow, grow.”
PRAYER: Father, I do not want to remain a baby Christian; make me to grow in Christ.