Bible Reading: Luke 2:52
You are nearly finished growing up – at least physically, but we all should spend our lifetimes continuing to grow spiritually.
Even Jesus had to grow up. Luke 2 tells us about Jesus’ birth. This chapter ends by saying that “Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men” (verse 52). Jesus was a child once. He had to do and experience the same things that you and I had to do and experience:
* Jesus read and studied scripture.
* Jesus prayed.
* Jesus went to school.
* Jesus was expected to obey his parents.
* Jesus worked: He fed and watered animals, carried water, and learned to be a carpenter.
Jesus did these things to teach us by His example. He didn’t tell us what to do; He showed us what to do. He also did the same kinds of things we do is because he had to become a human being in order to be able to take the punishment for our sins –
* He had to experience our experiences.
* He had to feel our feelings.
* He had to be tempted like we are tempted.
* He had to be like us!
However, there was one difference between Jesus and us. Although Jesus went through all of the same things we do, Jesus neversinned. That’s why He could take our punishment; why he was the only person who could take our punishment.
Aren’t you glad that Jesus grew up and died for you?
“Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death – even death on a cross!” Philippians 2:6-8
Prayer: Heavenly Father, I want to grow up to be just like You. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
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