Gospel

The Grace of God

by Roland Crim
01/23/17
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And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was on him. Every year Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem for the Festival of the Passover. When he was twelve years old, they went up to the festival, according to the custom. After the festival was over, while his parents were returning home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but they were unaware of it. Thinking he was in their company, they traveled on for a day. Then they began looking for him among their relatives and friends. When they did not find him, they went back to Jerusalem to look for him. After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers. When his parents saw him, they were astonished. His mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you.” “Why were you searching for me?” he asked. “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?”But they did not understand what he was saying to them. Then he went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. But his mother treasured all these things in her heart. And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man. Luke 2:40-52 NIV

We do not know much about the boyhood life of Jesus. Let us see what we can grasp on to in His boyhood within the above reading.

Jesus grew up in the town of Nazareth. He grew up strong, and was full of wisdom. Most boys and young men are not filled with much wisdom. Wisdom normally is gained with maturation, and with life’s experiences. Christ, though was different. He was filled with wisdom. What must it have been like to have been the age of Christ, and had a conversation with Him? Would anything He said have made sense to the one hearing the message?

The grace of God was on Him. Jesus was full of grace. Christ is grace. For Christians, grace is the unmerited favor of God. To us this grace is manifested through the salvation we have received through Christ.

When Joseph and Mary returned to Jerusalem in search of Jesus, they found Him in the temple courts. He was listening to the teachers and asking them questions. Jesus wanted to hear what the teachers had to share, and asked truly thought provoking questions of them. We know this as they were amazed at His understanding and answers. Truly it was Jesus who was doing the teaching, and not the teachers. Jesus’ wisdom, even as the child, was far beyond that of any other human.

Jesus’ response to the question of His mother was astounding. Christ knew that He must be in His Father’s house. He was there to teach about His Heavenly Father, even at twelve years of age! His answer was not at all understood by Mary and Joseph. Who would have been able to understand this answer?

Jesus went back to Nazareth with Joseph and Mary, and was obedient to them. The Son of God was obedient to His earthly parents. Jesus continued to grow in stature and wisdom. He also continued to grow in favor with His Heavenly Father and with man. He had not reached an age yet where He would be scorned and ridiculed for that which He taught.

The childhood of Jesus was not like that of any other human. He was being prepared for His mission given to Him by the Father. Above all, our Lord was totally obedient to the Heavenly Father, and we should be truly grateful for this fact.