Every so often my wife and I will flip through family pictures and note how much our two boys have changed. I’m amazed at how small and childlike they were not so long ago. We’ve lived through these years with them and have witnessed their development. Yet their transformation has been so woven into the rhythm of our lives, we don’t notice the changes until we look back.
When I read Luke’s account of the early years of Jesus’ life, I’m drawn to the simple observation that He “grew in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and all the people” (Luke 2:52). In many respects, this was an ordinary thing—Jesus grew over long stretches of time in His understanding and in grasping His place in the world. God the Father, as well as Jesus’ family and neighbors, watched as His Son became the man He was meant to be.
The words in Luke 2:52 follow the author’s presentation of how shocked Jesus’ parents were to find Him in the temple, and how shocked the religious leaders were at the depth of Jesus’ understanding (Luke 2:47). Yet, immediately after this, Luke tells us that Jesus needed to continue to grow up. And after that remarkable temple moment, He apparently did something any child would do: He returned home with His parents (Luke 2:51). He did His chores, honed His craft, and matured as a man.
Over the next few decades, we know precious little of Jesus’ life, likely because His life was (from the outside view) nothing extraordinary. Although divine, He had to grow up like all of us. Jesus had to grow into His calling. For all of us, following God is an invitation to grow and become our true selves—becoming the person God has in mind for us to be (Philippians 1:6).
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Ruth 2:1-23
More:
Read Ephesians 4:14-15 and consider what it means to grow “more and more like Christ.”
Next:
Where do you see growth in your life? Where do you think God wants to help you grow so that you can be the person you were meant to be?
Gary Shultz on March 16, 2016 at 6:07 am
Great thoughts Winn, one of the best explanations of those silent years of Christ’s life. I think you are correct because no one pointed back to Christ’s childhood with any regard to His ministry. I’m sure Mary saw a unique child, but for the most part unnoticed by most. The growth question is a little more tricky. I want to see growth in every aspect of my life; however, I must also recognize the areas God wants me to work on the most. He has a way of working out His will in our life and sometimes it’s a great surprise. Thanks Winn
gagirllive on March 16, 2016 at 7:47 am
This is a good reminder of how change is very incremental. Sometimes it’s hard to spot it in myself, but as I continue to abide in Christ, I trust that He is doing His transforming work in me. Often it is other people in my life who will point out my spiritual growth. Perhaps they see that I don’t react the way I used to about the stresses of life, or they may notice that I have a growing capacity for patience, love, and trust. Whatever the case, I have to believe that God is changing me from glory to glory and that my “true self” is bearing the image of Christ with increasing likeness. Sometimes I’m in a hurry for that to happen, but He is faithfully at work and will see it finished. I love the quote on Ruth Bell Graham’s tombstone. It sums this thought up perfectly. “End of construction. Thank you for your patience.” Thank you, Winn, for today’s devotional.
Winn Collier on March 16, 2016 at 10:07 am
it is beautiful how others can reflect back to us things we can not see, it’s a wonderful aspect of friendship
Tom Felten on March 16, 2016 at 9:08 am
Winn, as I consider the distance between the man I am and the man I long to be in Jesus, I’m encouraged by these words from Paul: “I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us” (Philippians 3:12-14). So grateful that we can press on in Jesus’ power and that His sanctifying work continues!
bperez on March 16, 2016 at 10:01 am
Amen!
sandy229 on March 16, 2016 at 9:54 am
Being a mother is a job in itself. I keep thinking back of all the mistakes I made when I was raising my boys, but then I realize that is just the enemy trying to make me feel guilty so I have to take every thought captive. I can’t even imagine what it was like for Mary raising Jesus. What an honor it must have been for her. It would be nice to know all about Jesus childhood. I suppose God told us all He wanted us to know through His Word. My goal in life is to be like Jesus, and to be the person God created me to be. I find that when I read His Word every day and talk to Him in prayer I draw closer to Him and I don’t let things get to me like they did before, and it’s easier to take every thought captive so I can grow in Jesus.