Then [Jesus] returned to Nazareth with [his parents] and was obedient to them. And his mother stored all these things in her heart. Jesus grew in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and all the people.
—Luke 2:51-52 NLT
Key Thought
Luke lets us know that Jesus was a good kid. As he grew up, he was obedient, he grew smarter, he made God proud, and he was liked by others. Like any loving parent, Mary stored up the memories of his childhood in her heart. There were no shortcuts for the Messiah. God's Son had to grow up and live a life of character in a family just like any other child. His wisdom came as he grew. Yet all the while, God's mission for him lay ahead. Think of it: If we cannot fathom God's being fully in human flesh, what must it have been like for Mary and Joseph? Yet this divine mystery holds our healing, God's grace, and the Savior's glory. Now God calls us to grow, in all ways, to be like his Son.
Today's Prayer
Father, you know that I sometimes get tired and distracted in my spiritual development. Forgive my past times of spiritual laziness, and stir in me a holy passion to be conformed and grow ever more fully into the person you want me to be. In the name of Jesus and by the power of his transforming Spirit, may this be so. Amen.
Related Scripture Readings
Ⓒ 1996-2019 Heartlight, Inc. This material may not be reproduced in part or whole for commercial use without written consent. What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware. Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
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—Luke 2:51-52 NLT
Key Thought
Luke lets us know that Jesus was a good kid. As he grew up, he was obedient, he grew smarter, he made God proud, and he was liked by others. Like any loving parent, Mary stored up the memories of his childhood in her heart. There were no shortcuts for the Messiah. God's Son had to grow up and live a life of character in a family just like any other child. His wisdom came as he grew. Yet all the while, God's mission for him lay ahead. Think of it: If we cannot fathom God's being fully in human flesh, what must it have been like for Mary and Joseph? Yet this divine mystery holds our healing, God's grace, and the Savior's glory. Now God calls us to grow, in all ways, to be like his Son.
Today's Prayer
Father, you know that I sometimes get tired and distracted in my spiritual development. Forgive my past times of spiritual laziness, and stir in me a holy passion to be conformed and grow ever more fully into the person you want me to be. In the name of Jesus and by the power of his transforming Spirit, may this be so. Amen.
Related Scripture Readings
Ⓒ 1996-2019 Heartlight, Inc. This material may not be reproduced in part or whole for commercial use without written consent. What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware. Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Continue reading...
