2 Tim 2:15 "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."
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THE EARLY LIFE OF JESUS
MONDAY, OCTOBER 12
Luke 2:39-52
Isaiah 42:10-16
“…and carried our sorrows.”
THE EARLY LIFE OF JESUS
The Lord Jesus Christ was born as an infant like any other child. His mother Mary wrapped Him in the clothing of an infant and laid Him in the manger they used for His bed (Luke 2:7). We see pictures of the manger scene with a halo around the head of the infant Jesus and a light shining mysteriously from His body. But such a picture is not in accordance with Scripture. Christ, in His great love for us had left behind His heavenly glory and in appearance was as any other child.
In a normal span of time, Jesus grew to be a man. We do not know to what extent His deity affected His childhood; but we do know that He grew in a normal manner (Luke 2:40). At the age of twelve, evidently looking like any other twelve-year-old, He was taken to the Temple by His parents (Luke 2:41-42). It appears from Scripture that Christ may not have evidenced anything of His divine power until after His baptism. Since this power was to be used to glorify the Father and save man, it is inconceivable that the Christ-child would have used His power in any childish way as some uninspired writings would have us believe.
Although the Christ-child had the body of a normal human being, His divine wisdom quickly became apparent. When the Lord was only twelve, He was already about the Father’s business and amazed the learned men of the Temple by His understanding of Scripture and things pertaining to God (Luke 2:43-49).
As we view these scenes, we are reminded once again of God’s great love for mankind. He who knows no limit to His power, whose greatness no space can contain, who upholds the universe by His Word, became a child to rescue us from our sin. Surely such love should challenge us to greater service and dedication to the Lord.
THOUGHT: How did the Christ-child differ from other children?
PRAYER: I thank Thee, Father, for Thy great love for me. May I always show my gratitude by obeying Thee.