Day 22 – Strong in the Spirit
Study Luke 2:39-52
“And the Child grew and became strong in spirit, filled with wisdom; and the grace of God was upon Him.” Luke 2:40
When we read the Gospels and begin following Jesus’ adult ministry, it is easy to forget that He was once a child who grew and developed just like any other. Yet, Scripture intentionally notes His spiritual development first. We can understand that Jesus was fully aware of His identity and calling at every stage of His growth, perfectly matching His age. For instance, while He may not have had the full understanding of a 30-year-old when He was five, He possessed the absolute greatest capacity for wisdom and understanding possible for a five-year-old.
This progression of Jesus serves as a profound inspiration for believing parents today. It reminds us to continuously pray for our own children to grow strong in the Spirit and to be filled with wisdom, asking God to guide their steps along those very same paths.
The goodness and favor of God were vividly evident in Jesus’ life from His earliest days. Luke specifically highlights that “God’s grace was upon Him”—the very One who would ultimately become Grace personified for us. Interestingly, Scripture tells us very little about Jesus’ life between the time He was one month old and when He turned twelve. While many historical authors have fabricated “Infancy Gospels” filled with spectacular myths about His childhood, the canonical truth is far more understated. Quoting Trapp, “Where the Scripture hath no tongue, we must have no ears.”
Luke and other early believers undoubtedly sat with Mary, asking and listening to stories of His upbringing. Yet, Luke captures a beautiful, defining truth: “But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart.” Some treasures are meant for a mother’s heart alone, kept safe from the rest of the world.
Pray with me: Father, thank You that Luke mentions the early childhood of Jesus, reminding us that He was indeed a human child. Teach us, Lord, to pray for our children to be strong in the Spirit, and may they be under Your constant grace. Amen. ©
Love, Pastor Iriza
