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Weekly Message | December 20th, 2009
Passage: Luke 2:41-52
Key Verse(s): 52
It was January 5, 2002. My wife and I went to Chicago and met Dr. Samuel Lee. At that time he was quite sick. It was just a few days before the fire accident at his home. There he allowed me to talk with him for a few hours. During this conversation he shared his new key verse for the year. Surprisingly it was 1 Corinthians 13:11, “When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me.” He told me to this effect that I “must learn and grow ever more than before.” It was a deeply a moving moment because I saw in him his real desire to humbly and continuously grow.
This is the end of the year. We look back at this year and plan for the New Year. What do we do? It is worthy to consider the needs for our growth. Luke 2:40 briefly describes Jesus’ boyhood. The child Jesus grew and became strong. He was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was with him. This passage emphasizes the natural process of Jesus’ growth. Luke 2:52 defines the growth of Jesus in three dimensions—internal (wisdom and stature), vertical (favor with God) and horizontal (favor with men). As we mediate this passage, let’s think about the practical possibility for us to grow before God and man.
First, Jesus grew in wisdom and stature. This is about Jesus’ boyhood, his teenage years! This event is about Jesus’ family’s regular annual activities. Every year his parents went to Jerusalem for the Feast of the Passover. This means every year Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem to participate in the Passover celebration. When Jesus was twelve years old, they went up to the Feast, according to the custom.
After the Feast was over, while his parents were returning home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents were unaware of it. Probably, Mary thought that Jesus was with Joseph among the group of adults. Joseph might have assumed that Jesus was with Mary since his was still a boy. Anyway, thinking he was in their company, they had traveled on for a day. Then they began looking for him among their relatives and friends. When they did not find him, they went back to Jerusalem to look for him. It was one day after they left from Jerusalem that they found that Jesus was not with them. So it took another day to return to Jerusalem. Upon arrival there they looked for Jesus for a whole day. After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions.
Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers. When his parents saw him, they were astonished. His mother said to him, "Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you." Certainly, Mary was somewhat frustrated about the situation. "Why were you searching for me?" Jesus asked them, saying, "Didn't you know I had to be in my Father's house?" Here, Jesus declared his special relationship with his Father. But they did not understand what he was saying to them.
Jesus grew in wisdom. Wisdom is the ability to make and implement right decisions even in the most difficult and challenging circumstances. When do we need wisdom? We seek wisdom from God (i.e., in every available source) when situations requires more than intelligence and knowledge. We seek God who givers generously without finding fault. (James 1:5) Wisdom is more than our experiences in this life. Wisdom integrates knowledge, experiences, perspectives, and temperance.
Solomon was a very intelligent. In his youth he was known for his wisdom. Soon he became a fool with his reckless life having too many wives and indulging in sensual pleasures. He had intelligence, knowledge, and understanding. He had no self-control. He wasted many years of his most productive years. In his final years he came back to his senses, he appreciated the value of wisdom and devoted himself to writing Proverbs and Ecclesiastes. He said, “This is the conclusion of the matter. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.” (Ecc 12:13)
At the age of twelve Jesus was able to sit with the teachers of the law in the temple who probably had spent their entire lives learning from and studying Scriptures. Jesus was able to ask questions, answer their questions, and discuss important matters. Jesus was prayerfully engaged in discussions with them. Jesus stated wisely and clearly why he had to stay in the temple. Yet, in wisdom Jesus listened to his mother Mary. Until the right time came, Jesus quietly waited in Galilee preparing for the day of his public ministry.
The four Gospels show Jesus’ wisdom in his teaching. Jesus was wise in relationships. Jesus was wise in taking care of twelve men plus many followers without any particular income of his own. Jesus was so wise that within three years he impacted the world beyond measure. Jesus was so wise that he made his disciples almost memorize his teachings in detail so that they could later record them by memory. Here, we see the critical aspects of wisdom. Wisdom is attained in the course of engagement. Engage with people with questions and answers. Jesus practiced listening. Wisdom is the result of continuous learning through engagement.
What do we learn about Jesus’ wisdom? Jesus is most competent, most knowledgeable, and all powerful. He knew what was going on in heaven. He as God in flesh knew all. Yet, he engaged with people. Although Jesus had everything, he behaved as if he had nothing. Having all of God’s riches, he lived poorly as if he had nothing. He did not quarrel or cried out. He did not break a bruised reed and he did not snuff out a smoldering wick. (Mt 12:18, 29) St. Paul describes Jesus’ wisdom in this way, “Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: 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! Therefore, God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Chris is Lord, to the glory of God the Father”. (Php 2:5-11)
It is certain that Jesus was strong in body and spirit. At least at the time of starting his ministry he was healthy and vigorous. Jesus grew up in stature. He was not a little boy any more. He was tall and strong enough to do difficult and challenging work. Jesus’ growth included both body and spirit.
Here is a modest suggestion for us to consider. In the New Year we may not talk like a child and reason like a child. Instead, we put childish ways behind us. In the New Year we may listen before we talk. We may think before we act. We may engage in learning. My practical resolution is to adopt the attitude of learning from everyone.
Second, Jesus grew in the favor with God. Favor with God refers to those who enjoy God’s love, honor, and his pleasure. Abel found God’s favor. Noah found God’s favor. People who love God and walk with him faithfully find God’s favor. The Bible teaches that people are unworthy and undeserving to receive God’s favor. At the same time the Bible teaches God’s favor rests on those who love God and obey him.
Just before Jesus started his public ministry, he received baptism from John. John, in his humility, refused to baptize Jesus. But Jesus said, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness. And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” (Mt 3:13-17) The essence of God’s favor is his love and his pleasure. God shows his grace of forgiveness to sinners who repent. At the same time those who receive God’s favor demonstrate their love for God and their faithful walk with God.
What does God hate most? Pride. God rejects the proud. Whom does God love most? It is those who practice love and faithfulness. (Pr 3:3) God loves those who are merciful and just. God loves those who stand on the combined pillars of his character (e.g., love and faithfulness together; grace and truth together; humility and faith together; peace and joy together). Those whom God favors display the hint of God’s two pillars of grace and truth. So they become people of integrity. The two pillars of God’s grace and truth dwell in us. We become bipillar people. However, sinners become bipolar instead. Grace and truth are all fragmented. Love and faithfulness are thrown away. Humility is nowhere to be seen and faithfulness is not practiced. Personalities are split and behaviors often become strange and pitiful. However, God shows his great mercy through his Son, Jesus Christ. God restored the wounded with his healing. God comforts the broken souls with his encouragement. God presents his peace to those who are troubled and anxious.
St. Paul said, “If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Rom 8:31) No one’s life is a failure unless he or she is against God. If we are against God, we lose everything. Therefore, seek God’s favor. Seek his face. We may recite daily the words of God’s blessings in Numbers 6:24-26, “The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace.”
Here is another modest suggestion. At the end of this year we may come to God confessing our failures and shortcomings in this life. We receive God’s forgiveness and seek God’s favor—his love and recognition. We may take small steps to grow in the two pillars of God’s grace and truth. Most importantly, we may be determined to walk with God and seek his favor—his glory, wisdom, thanks, honor, power, and strength. (Rev 7:12)
Third, Jesus grew in the favor of men. Favor with men refers to respect and honor by people. As Jesus grew in wisdom, stature, and in the love and power of God, people respected him and loved him. In Proverbs 3:2-3 we read, “Let love and faithfulness never depart from you. Then, you will find favor with God and man.” The order is important. Favor with God first, then favor with men. Can we really live in this world without having favor with men? Can we live alone? Can we behave as if others do not matter in this life?
As much as we seek God’s favor, we all need favor with men. Jesus grew in obedience. Jesus is the Son of God. He declared his special relationship with God in the temple courts. Yet, when he returned to Galilee, he obeyed his parents. As a boy he loved his parents. He respected them. Jesus grew up in obedience to his parents and to his Father. "Although he was a son, he learned obedience from what he suffered..." (Heb 5:8) Obedience is the act of love and respect toward others according to our love and respect for God.
Children behave as if nothing matters. Even for a moment a little child can behave as if she can live without the loving care of her parents. This is also true with people who behave like little children. Increasingly, our jobs are related to what others do as much as what we do. No one can get a job with his or her effort alone. Nothing worthwhile in this world is accomplished by a single person’s effort. We need to work together. We need others’ contribution in order to make great things happen in our lives. We all need trust, respect, and support of others to fulfill God’s will in this world. The older people get, the more isolated and lonely they can become because loved ones depart one by one. That’s why it is all the more important to practice love and faithfulness with others.
So here is the last modest suggestion: learn to live with others─learn to love others. Learn to gain respect, trust, and the support and love of others in return to our respect, trust, support, and love for them. Honestly assess our situation before God. How many friends do we really have? Do you find people who respect, trust, support, and love you? Then, consider carefully, what can be done in the New Year. We reap what we sow. As much as we have sown respect, trust, and shown support and love, we will find respect, trust, and be supported and loved. As much as we honor others, we receive honor from God and people. Resolve to show respect and trust, while we support and love others.
May God bless each of you so that at the end of this year we may assess our situation prayerfully and honestly and seek forgiveness from God and others as needed. Growth is the greatest need of all for all of us—as individuals, as a body of Christ, and for our nation. May God help us to grow up in wisdom and stature. May God’s favor continue to be upon each of us and this nation.
December 20, 2009; Dr. Paul Hong; Toledo, UBF
Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved.
