“And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and man” (Luke 2:52).
It is said that people have three lives: a public life, a private life, and a secret life.
People of character are the same person in the three areas of their lives.
How can we live in such a way that we grow in character?
The verse of the day tells us in the three ways Jesus grew in character:
- in wisdom
- stature
- in favor with God and man
Today’s text refers to Jesus as he grew up as a child into the man and the Savior he became.
First, we are told that Jesus grew in wisdom. The more Jesus learned about the nature and the character of God, the more his life resembled the truth of scripture. That’s what wisdom means. That’s what separates wisdom from knowledge. Wisdom is putting into practice what we know to be true and right. Jesus lived out the truth and what he knew to be right.
Secondly, we are told that Jesus grew in stature. The Greek word for stature refers to age and maturity more than physical growth. What this means is that as Jesus grew older, he acted his age, he grew out of his childishness. Jesus lived a life that demonstrated a wisdom beyond his years.
Finally, we are told that Jesus grew in favor with God and man. As Jesus put into practice the truths of God, grew in maturity and wisdom, he grew in favor with God and man. People couldn’t help but notice the life Jesus lived. Jesus was consistent in how he conducted himself in the public life, private life, and his secret life.
Jesus was the same in public as he was in private. The people around him attest to that.
Jesus was the same in secret as he was in public. God attested to that.
How are you doing? Are you the same person in how you speak and act in private and in secret as you are in public?
Grow in wisdom – put into practice what you know to be true and right.
Grow in stature – act your age. Grow in maturity.
Grow in favor with God and man – consistency in the three areas of your life.
Praxis: Faith in Action 