"And the Child grew and became strong in spirit, filled with wisdom; And the grace of God was upon Him."
Luke 2:40
It's so funny for me to think of Jesus as a little kid. I wonder what He thought and what it was like for His parents. I imagine it would require so much humbleness and grace to see the Lord grow up in the wisdom of God as a young child. I usually assume that He just knew He was God's and therefore it was easy to be perfect; but after reading some verses in Hebrews and 1 Peter, I now wonder how trying his young life was.
For me, just being involved in AWANA got me put on the "loser list" in grade school. Listening to Christian music and being friends with unpopular kids was what I thought was good but also what the cool girls rejected me for. Don't you ever wonder what it was like for Jesus to play with other children? Maybe He had just one good friend, maybe He had none. I really shouldn't assume that He was Mr. Popular since He was perfect and good, but isn't that the path our mind naturally goes down? Jesus was our Savior whom we glorify and while we know He did suffer, we don't really consider those years of difficulty before He was traveling and performing miracles.
The verse above speaks of the spiritual fruit which Christ "grew" during the years before His public ministry began, but we often forget what things we must endure to become a person who is wise and filled with grace.
"Though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered."
Hebrews 5:8
"In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ."
1 Peter 1:6-7
"My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing."
James 1:2-4
"Therefore, in all things He had to be made like His bretheren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted."
Hebrews 2:17-18
Only by wisdom and trials are we able to understand the grace of God and have the faith required to show God's love to the world. I wish I could find every verse in the bible that speaks of the great things that trials and suffering produce in us - but we know these times have a purpose and make us more able to trust the Lord in the future. Through these tribulations, we can see the futility of the decaying world and the great relief of God's salvation. Hebrews 11 lists many men and women in the history of the Jewish people who had great hope for God's Kingdom though they never saw it come to fruition here on earth. They saw the great promise of God and were able to endure great trials and act in faith when God called them.
Studying all these verses in my BSF lesson this week gave me more Hope for my life. Seeing how Jesus waited patiently until His purpose in life would come to pass makes me realize how not patient I am. I desire God to use me for great things, yet I freak out when times are tough! I ask God to make my faith stronger but cry on my pillow when my life apporaches possible disaster. I think all Christians wish their life would be counted for something great but are we willing to endure the tribulation that needs to come first? We need to be tested and come throught proving ourselves faithful to God's promise despite our circumstances. Being faithful to His will ALWAYS brings us a more fulfilling relationship with Him even if we have to endure the worst of life to get there. For God's work will be completed in our lives if we continue following Him in faith - we will not be disappointed with the fulfillment of His work in our lives.
"being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ."
Philippians 1:6
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