“And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of [Love] was upon him.” Luke 2:40 KJV
We conclude our Love Incarnate series with one last look at Jesus. This portion of the story closes by saying Jesus grew, as all children do, but highlighting a few differences. He grew strong in spirit, full of wisdom, and the grace of Love was upon him.
Not all children grow this way, this thoroughly and roundly. Most of us are subject to our genetics or our environment, and life experiences damages or limits one or more of these three components early on in life. But not Jesus. Though he grew up in poverty, in Nazareth (the “hood,” some might say), in conditions that are clearly less than ideal, he succeeded. He grew up strong-willed, wise, graceful, and loving. Most of us develop two or three of these temperaments, but Jesus was well rounded.
We can only imagine Jesus as a child, because not much has been said about his childhood. Yet this verse informs our imagination. Strong-willed doesn’t mean rude or disobedient, it means he wasn’t easily influenced. He obeyed His heavenly Father no matter what. Jesus wasn’t born a know-it-all; he grew, meaning he learned new information he didn’t have or understand before. Wisdom is more than being smart, it’s knowing what is best to do, knowing how to use information correctly. And grace is any appealing or charming power, skill, or ability. Luke 2:52 explains that Jesus “grew in stature, wisdom, and in favor with God and man.” He was a natural child at each age, just balanced in character, as strong-willed as he was strong, as winsome as he was wise, and he kept growing in each area all together as time went on.
This is for us. Once we believe in and receive the incarnation of Love into human form, we are born again and grow by faith in each area all together as time goes on into full sons and daughters of Love. And as it was said of him, it will be said of us. We will grow strong in spirit, filled with wisdom, and the grace of Love will be upon us.
Oh Love, thank you! What an awesome privilege to be your children! Let us not only believe in the incarnation of Christ, but receive it for ourselves. Let us not take this for granted, but use all our time and opportunities to grow all around into all you have planned for us.
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