The Child continued to grow and become strong, increasing in wisdom; and the grace of God was upon Him.(Luke 2:40 NASB)
You DO know "the Child" here is our Savior, Jesus Christ, don't you? The Great I AM increased in wisdom. He continued to grow. He became strong (meaning He didn't start out that way, right?). When God the Son came to earth as a baby, He had much growing to do - and not only physically.
This is a mystery I am positive I will never quite grasp this side of heaven. How can Omniscience increase in wisdom? How can All-Powerful God become strong? How can the Eternal continue to grow?
Because the incarnate Christ was both 100% God and 100% man, these things are true. And unfathomable - for me, anyway. But as little as I understand, one thing is clear to me: if we are on this earth, we are to be increasing in wisdom and continuing to grow. If God could grow and become "smarter," I certainly should be!
I have taken Luke 2:40 as my theme verse for 2012. I am certainly not Christ, but I am His child, am I not? And I have much to learn: spiritually, emotionally, relationally, intellectually, and every other "ally" there is, I'm certain. And having God's grace upon me sounds wonderful, does it not?
I don't know if you make resolutions, set goals, or just let the new year go by with nary a thought. But might I encourage you to grow and become strong, increasing in wisdom during 2012? This, of course, will look different for each of us. But the result - the grace of God upon us - is worth the effort.
This is a mystery I am positive I will never quite grasp this side of heaven. How can Omniscience increase in wisdom? How can All-Powerful God become strong? How can the Eternal continue to grow?
Because the incarnate Christ was both 100% God and 100% man, these things are true. And unfathomable - for me, anyway. But as little as I understand, one thing is clear to me: if we are on this earth, we are to be increasing in wisdom and continuing to grow. If God could grow and become "smarter," I certainly should be!
I have taken Luke 2:40 as my theme verse for 2012. I am certainly not Christ, but I am His child, am I not? And I have much to learn: spiritually, emotionally, relationally, intellectually, and every other "ally" there is, I'm certain. And having God's grace upon me sounds wonderful, does it not?I don't know if you make resolutions, set goals, or just let the new year go by with nary a thought. But might I encourage you to grow and become strong, increasing in wisdom during 2012? This, of course, will look different for each of us. But the result - the grace of God upon us - is worth the effort.Let's talk about this! Be sure to stop by Living by Grace to join the discussion.
Traveling Rough Roads With God's Strength
It never ceases to amaze me. God came to earth as a baby and grew up. Growth... so important!!
ReplyDeleteAnd just when we think we might have gotten "there" we discover that we have only just begun!
ReplyDeleteI think it does us all well to focus on being God's child and continuing to aim to grow in Him.
ReplyDeleteI was reading in Matthew this morning and I had a chuckle. Jesus went off by himself to pray. Because he's God, that means he was talking to himself right? So the next time I end up in heavy conversation with myself at least I know I'm in good company!
ReplyDeleteIn all seriousness, you're right. It is beyond our human understanding to imagine God as he really is. We have so much to look forward to on the other side.
Yes, an increase in everything Jesus sounds good to me! Pressing on for his more in 2012. Thanks for joining me on the road.
ReplyDeletepeace~elaine
I'm as mind-boggled as you! And even more so that Christ would choose to leave His throne in heaven to be birthed by a peasant girl, live a servant's life, and ultimately die on the cross--for His creation.
ReplyDeleteAnd yep, I've got ALOT to learn! Great post!
It does sound wonderful! :) I'm working on all the "ally" words myself!
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely unfathomable! I'm with you, Joanne, not sure I'll grasp this truth this side of heaven! Thanks for the encouragement to grow this year. The journey is an exciting one! God bless!
ReplyDelete