LUKE 2:40-52 FILLED WITH WISDOM We may forget the years of childhood are the years of development in which along with the growth of the body, the soul and spirit also grow. The Lord Jesus Christ in His perfect humanity "grew" in the way that is common to humanity. It is evident the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ was seen in that He didn't bypass the experiences that are common to man when "He was found in fashion as a man." He knew the interests of a child so that when the time came, He would "suffer the little children to come unto Me, and forbid them not, for of such is the kingdom of heaven." He had experienced the desire of a child to be with adults and hear them speaking together as well as being with children. Perhaps He had experienced what it was like to be ignored or overlooked because He was "only a child." The value of a person is not based on their age or experience but on their personhood. He increased in physical stature and awareness of why He was here. There was something in Him when He was young that appealed to people as well as to God His Father.
The years between 12 and 20 can be frustrating to those passing through that time of life as well as their family around them. It was apparent to those who were at the feast in Jerusalem when He was 12 years of age, that there was something special about Him. His increasing wisdom, no doubt well beyond what was expected in one His years, set Him apart as a special young person. Perhaps in previous years He may have been only considered a child in spite of His wisdom. Now with physical growth and near manhood, His strength of spirit and His awareness of His "Father's business" and the special work He was sent to do, His words would have been more easily accepted by those who heard Him speak. He wouldn't be looked upon as a precocious child. There was evident grace in Him that was now being expressed in the words He spoke. His strength of spirit was displayed in His knowledge of the scriptures and His thoughtful way of listening and then explaining the truth of the word of God. In His body He grew. In the strength of His spirit He grew. In wisdom the experiences of life never caught Him unprepared or unable to respond to life appropriately. His awareness of who He is and why He came to earth was evident.
In the Jewish culture of today when a boy reaches the age of 12 or 13 years, a "Bar Mitzvah" is held for him indicating his introduction into manhood. The gradual but continual growth of those new in faith, whether they are young in years or older, needs to be promoted and encouraged. We need to make opportunities for the young believers to get into places and situations where the word of God is taught and where mature saints can pass on to them truths that strengthen their spirit and enables them to apply what they know in real life situations. A person's spiritual strengths are often made evident when we are able to share spiritual truths we know with other people. To pass on what we have learned of God, and to receive what others have to give, adds to the strength of a person who is conscious of God with them.
Our commitment to God and His word may be misunderstood by those who are close to us. They may be faithful in their life and service for Him but because what we have been called to do is different from their calling, they will not think what we do is the way things should be done - especially if it is out of the ordinary routine of things. Mary had to learn to let Jesus go and be about His Father's business. She still looked on Him as a needy boy, but when she found Him in the temple hearing and asking questions, she had to realize He was no longer a child. It would be hard to let Him be what He was sent to be. Even though He remained in subjection to them as long as He was in His home, and honored His mother even to His death, she knew a change has come to their role in His life.
It is natural for parents to try to keep their children under their control as long as possible. Those years between 12 and 20 are years in which we have to let them practice what we taught and assist them in the transition from dependence upon their parents, to the responsible actions of an adult. We have to learn when to speak and when to be quiet; when to help and when to let young people take the consequences of their choices by themselves. This is not an easy time for parents or children. The increase of wisdom is on- going as experiences and responsibility in life expand. We don't want to despise our family responsibilities nor our relationships with others. Jesus was not neglecting or rejecting obedience to His earthly parents even though he was about His Father's business. Though His parents knew He was God's Son, they didn't yet know all that His life on earth would entail. They knew all about His miraculous birth and could observe the uniqueness of His life, but they could not know all that was in His mind or what the future held.
The normal course of living would have placed Him in the work of a carpenter as the oldest son in the family working along with Joseph in the years of maturing and early manhood. He would know how people talked and thought, and could interact with them as a man as well as the omniscient God. The physical aspects of human life would have been experienced such as tiredness after a hard day's work, hunger, satisfaction in work well done and the physical labor needed to accomplish a task. Our lives are lived in a variety of areas - physical, intellectual, emotional, spiritual and social. In each of these there is a fullness and yet, even as the Lord Jesus, we have room for expansion of our capacity in labor, our application of wisdom and our growth in grace as daily life opens more and more to our practical knowledge. Fellowship with God and man happens as we are conscious of both in our lives. The farther along one moves in the years between 12 and 30 years of age, the more that person is able to accomplish because of the natural progression of human life. In those strong years of life and change, the course for the rest of our life is being set - and we will live by that course we have chosen.
It is not easy to be understood when you are unable to express your thoughts. Much of what we want to pass on to others is caught rather than taught. As years pass, we become more able to express in words what we really mean. The transition from childhood to adulthood is not easy when you are in your teens.
The best we can do in the path from birth until we are full-grown, Is to keep our own spirit strong in the Lord and practice what we're shown. The amount of wisdom we have each day, is enough for that specific time - As we develop in the Lord, further wisdom given will make understanding shine.
Grace in His life and from the words of His lips was a characteristic of the Lord. Acts of benevolence and gracious words spoken are not easily ignored. Both God and people watch each day and can see our way of life. One who lives by faith, old or young, is one who can to others give light.
We don't reach a place in life where there is nothing more to learn. Honor and respect from other people can't be demanded, it is earned By those who are strong in spirit and in whom the grace of God is seen. One doesn't have to wait until they are old, this is developed in our teens.
Occasions will arise when in deed or in a conversation - One is able to express their thoughts and there is evidence of consecration That one does not have to promote; it comes out from what we take in - And that in turn gives authority and value when adult life begins.
The Lord is a good example of what a young person's life should be. Things learned from parents and our limited experience is what others see. He took His place in His Father's work long before in the public's face. In youth there is opportunity to show faith and our appreciation of God's grace.
"Father, remember I pray, those young believers I have been speaking to in these last few days - that they may step out in public to testify by life and word their commitment to Thee and Thy truth. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen."