"Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man." Luke 2:52
"...how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him." Acts 10:38
"Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written." John 21:25
What a life! Jesus began his ministry when he was about thirty years old. Before that he worked as a carpenter, helping to take care of his family and preparing for ministry. We could learn from that. As the Teacher said in Ecclesiastes, there is a time for everything: a time to prepare, a time to rest, a time to serve.
Jesus had a ministry of three short years, but those years changed the course of history and completed God's plan for redemption. They were three very important years!
He had many names: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. He was a healer and a teacher. He was a maker of fishers of men. He was kind and compassionate. He was focused on his people and the things they needed. He was passionate about respect for his Father's house. He was brave and courageous in the face of betrayal, torture and death. He loved children. He could have chosen to be born in a place and time more comfortable but he came instead to a people searching for the Messiah - waiting to see the Salvation of the Lord.
What was it like for him to walk on and among his own creation? Did it remind him of that perfect time in the garden before the fall? As he walked among us did he picture the time when creation would be restored? Did it give him strength and encouragement?
Wholly human - totally God. How is that even possible?
I wish someone had written those books that John talked about. I would love to have that insight into the life of Jesus as he grew, as a young man, as he gained understanding of his purpose on earth. Wouldn't you love to read about a day spent with his brothers and sisters? Did he play tricks on them? Did they pick on each other. Did he stick up for his little brother or sister when someone picked on them or hold their hands when they were scared?
So many things I'd like to know about his life, but I can never hope to absorb all that was actually written down. Someday when I see him I'll ask him about those things. Not that it matters - I'm just curious.
He lived a perfect life without sin. That was part of the plan. One who had no sin would take the blame for the rest of us. Imagine the weight of it all!
One perfect life. All part of God's plan.
In your quiet time today, thank God for the example of Jesus and for his teachings. We can never hope to be like him on this earth, but we can let God make us a little closer every day. He came for you. He lived a perfect life for you. He died for you.
Thank him today.
I am praying for you.
Sherri
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