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What Does It Mean That Jesus Grew Up in Wisdom and Stature? – Viral Believer
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What Does It Mean That Jesus Grew Up in Wisdom and Stature?

Introduction

As followers of Christ, we seek to understand and emulate the life of Jesus. One aspect of His life that may not receive as much attention is His growth in wisdom and stature. This post will explore what it means that Jesus grew in these areas and how this growth can be seen as a model for our own spiritual development.

The phrase “Jesus grew in wisdom and stature” comes from Luke 2:52 (NKJV), which states, “And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.”

This verse sheds light on Jesus’ humanity, emphasizing that He experienced growth and development just like any other person. In this blog post, we will discuss the implications of Jesus’ growth in wisdom and stature, and how we can learn from His example.

Jesus’ Growth in Wisdom

Jesus’ growth in wisdom demonstrates His active pursuit of understanding and knowledge. As the Son of God, Jesus could have arrived on earth with perfect knowledge and wisdom. However, He chose to come in human form, learning and growing throughout His life.

One of the most significant instances of Jesus demonstrating His wisdom is found in Luke 2:41-47. In this passage, a young Jesus, only 12 years old, is found in the temple, amazing scholars and teachers with His understanding and answers to their questions.

This event highlights Jesus’ thirst for wisdom and His desire to engage with spiritual matters even at a young age.

As followers of Christ, we should strive to grow in wisdom as well. We can do this by seeking God’s guidance through prayer and studying His Word, engaging in discussions about spiritual matters, and by learning from those who are more mature in their faith.

Jesus’ Growth in Stature

Stature, in this context, refers to physical growth and development. Jesus’ growth in stature highlights His humanity and His experience of the human condition. It also emphasizes the importance of the body as a temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19-20).

The Bible does not provide many details about Jesus’ physical growth, but we can infer that He experienced normal human development. This would have included working as a carpenter alongside His earthly father, Joseph (Mark 6:3). This physical labor would have contributed to His growth in stature and strength.

Just as Jesus grew in stature, we should also take care of our physical bodies. This means maintaining a healthy lifestyle, exercising regularly, and ensuring we get proper rest. By doing so, we honor God with our bodies and ensure that we are physically prepared for the work He calls us to do.

Growing in Favor with God

Luke 2:52 also tells us that Jesus grew in favor with God. This means that Jesus’ relationship with God the Father deepened and became more intimate over time. This growth in favor with God demonstrates the importance of cultivating our relationship with God through prayer, worship, and obedience.

One example of Jesus’ deep connection with God is seen in His prayer life. Throughout the Gospels, Jesus often withdrew to a solitary place to pray (Luke 5:16). He also taught His disciples to pray, emphasizing the importance of a personal connection with God (Luke 11:1-4).

As believers, we should follow Jesus’ example and prioritize our relationship with God. This involves spending time in prayer and worship, seeking His guidance and wisdom, and obeying His commandments. As we grow in our relationship with God, we will also grow in His favor.

Growing in Favor with Men

In addition to growing in favor with God, Jesus also grew in favor with men. This growth signifies the importance of building strong relationships with others, particularly within the Christian community.

Jesus demonstrated the importance of relationships through His interactions with His disciples, friends, and even those considered outcasts in society. He taught the importance of love, compassion, and forgiveness when dealing with others (John 13:34-35).

As followers of Christ, we should strive to build strong relationships with others based on love, understanding, and respect. We can do this by actively participating in our church community, engaging in meaningful conversations, and being there for others in times of need.

The Balance of Spiritual and Physical Growth

Jesus’ growth in wisdom and stature emphasizes the importance of balanced growth in our spiritual and physical lives. We should not neglect one aspect of our growth in favor of the other, but rather strive to develop both areas harmoniously.

In our pursuit of spiritual growth, we can often become preoccupied with increasing our knowledge or performing religious duties, neglecting our physical health and well-being.

Conversely, we can become overly focused on our physical appearance or abilities, neglecting our spiritual growth. By following Jesus’ example, we can learn to strike a balance between spiritual and physical development.

The Role of Trials and Suffering in Growth

Jesus’ life was not without suffering and trials. Through these experiences, He demonstrated how facing adversity can lead to spiritual growth and maturity. Jesus’ time in the wilderness, where He was tempted by Satan (Matthew 4:1-11), is an example of how trials can strengthen our faith and deepen our dependence on God.

In our own lives, we too will face trials and suffering. These experiences can be opportunities for growth, as we learn to rely on God’s strength and wisdom.

As the Apostle Paul wrote in Romans 5:3-4 (NKJV), “we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope.”

Embracing Our Unique Growth Journey

Each believer’s spiritual journey is unique, and our growth in wisdom and stature will look different from one another. As we seek to follow Jesus’ example, it is essential to remember that our growth is an ongoing, lifelong process.

We should be patient with ourselves and others, recognizing that growth takes time and can occur at different rates. By embracing our unique growth journey, we can encourage one another in our pursuit of spiritual maturity and a deeper relationship with Christ.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the verse in Luke 2:52 highlights the importance of holistic growth in the life of a believer. Jesus’ growth in wisdom and stature serves as a model for us to follow, emphasizing the significance of developing both spiritually and physically.

By growing in wisdom, we deepen our understanding of God’s Word and His will for our lives. By growing in stature, we care for the bodies that God has given us, using them for His purposes. And by growing in favor with both God and men, we cultivate relationships that reflect the love of Christ.

Moreover, we must recognize the value of trials and suffering in our growth journey and embrace the unique path that God has set for each of us.

As believers, let us strive to follow Jesus’ example, seeking to grow in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men. In doing so, we will not only become more Christ-like but will also be better equipped to serve God and others in our daily lives.

Pastor Duke Taber
Pastor Duke Taber

Pastor Duke Taber

All articles have been written or reviewed by Pastor Duke Taber.
Pastor Duke Taber is an alumnus of Life Pacific University and Multnomah Biblical Seminary.
He has been in pastoral ministry since 1988.
Today he is the owner and managing editor of 3 successful Christian websites that support missionaries around the world.
He is currently starting a brand new church in Mesquite NV called Mesquite Worship Center, a Non-Denominational Spirit Filled Christian church in Mesquite Nevada.