For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things, and through whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to perfect the author of their salvation through sufferings. – Hebrews 2:10

Jesus, the uncreated Son of God, existing through all eternity past, walked through life as a man in sinless perfection. And yet, in taking on flesh and emptying Himself for us, He subjected Himself, not only to our weakness and temptations but to a need to learn and grow.

In creation, He counseled with God. The Word God spoke in creation, John reveals as Jesus. That spoken Word of creation continues to create galaxies today. It continues to hold all things together.

But this all knowing, all powerful, everywhere present Son of God needed schooling.

Let’s start in Luke 2 today.

The Child continued to grow and become strong, increasing in wisdom; and the grace of God was upon Him. – Luke 2:40

This is amazing to me. We are introduced to Wisdom in Proverbs 8. When you have a few minutes, you can read the whole chapter, but in particular, check out verses 22-31. I can’t get away from the fact that this passage describes Jesus, the Word of God. And of course, this makes perfect sense. Where could you find more wisdom than in the Word spoken by our infinite, all-knowing Father?

Yet here is Luke 2 we find Jesus increasing in wisdom.

Next Luke tells the story of the boy Jesus in the temple at age twelve.

After that, we have only one verse in the entire Bible telling of Jesus’ life from age twelve until He starts His ministry at thirty.

And Jesus kept increasing in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men. – Luke 2:52

This one is really striking because, at age thirty, we hear the voice of God at Jesus’ baptism.

and behold, a voice out of the heavens said, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well-pleased.” – Matthew 3:17

The Father is well pleased with His Son before Jesus begins His ministry. Before He ever works a miracle or heals the sick. But we learn from Luke 2:52 that Jesus’ grew in favor with God.

It’s a little mind-bending. How can the one who is the same, yesterday, today, and forever, grow, learn, or progress?

It goes back to the concept of Jesus emptying Himself, and living life with a man’s nature. Not a sin nature, like you and me, but an un-fallen human nature. This is the nature offered to every man and woman in the new birth. It’s why the new birth makes such a great metaphor for the New Covenant offered to every one of us.

Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. – 2 Corinthians 5:17

The new nature we receive in the New Covenant puts within our grasp the ability to walk like Jesus walked. It makes it possible for us to grow in wisdom and favor with God.

Today was a bit of a rabbit trail from Hebrews 2:10, so we’ll come back to it on Monday. In the meantime press into all that God has for you. You can grow in favor with God. His pleasure in you will increase as you give yourself to Him in worship, in devotion, and in your daily walk.

Thanks for coming by today.

Bloom and flourish where God has planted you.

Ben

If you’ve missed anything – check out the Hebrews page to get caught up.