Baby Jesus Didn't stay that way - Part 1

 

TEXT:  Luke 2:40  – “The Child grew and became strong in spirit, filled with wisdom; and the grace of God was upon Him.”

 

Many think of God and religion during this season of the year. Cards, posters, songs, stamps, and much more speak to us about that Baby born in Bethlehem. The problem is that most people don’t look past the manger. All they see is “Baby Jesus, Meek and Mild.” After all, everybody loves a baby. To a large segment of the population – Jesus was a baby – and still is.

 

It is important that we see Jesus as God wants us to. He was born – He grew up – He became a man. This God-Man then proceeded to redeem us from the penalty, the power, and the presence of sin. It was not the baby who saved us – it was the God-Man. Let us pause this day to remember – Baby Jesus didn’t stay that way.

If we had a baby, and it remained that small cute bundle – we would be dismayed. For a baby not to grow means there is something drastically wrong. If Jesus had remained a baby – something would have been wrong. We read in Luke 2:52 – “And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.” Increased means to progress – the word in Greek is in the imperfect tense – continued action

How did He grow? First, in wisdom – this is the insight of the true nature of things. His intelligence increased, however – not only did He learn facts, but the true way of things. He was “filled with wisdom” (vs. 40) because He was God, He had a great capacity for wisdom. Because He was God, He was (is) the sum total of all wisdom.

Also, He grew in stature – this is both height and maturity. Physically He was developing into a man. We could apply Paul’s statement from 1 cor. 13:11 – “When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things.

Verse 40 again – “And the child grew and became strong….”

His growth found favor in the sight of God and His fellowmen.

Tomorrow we will consider that He didn’t stay a baby to fulfill His mission.