“Jesus grew in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and all the people” (Luke 2:52 NLT).
Luke is the only gospel that describes how Jesus grew up. The story of twelve year old Jesus talking with the teachers in the Temple, while His family was looking for Him, is a very interesting glimpse into His youth. And it begs the question, “What did it look like for the Son of God to grow up?” Luke summarized Christ’s growing years in a four part description. This description is helpful for those who want to grow in maturity as they follow Jesus:
The four ways that Jesus grew were:
1) Mentally “wisdom”
2) Physically “stature”
3) Spiritually “favor with God”
4) Socially “favor with people”
These four areas of growth provide a way of considering our own growth. After all, as Christ followers, shouldn’t we desire to grow in these same areas?
I try to set one or two goals at the first of the year in each of these same four areas, praying that Jesus will help me to grow more like Him. I call them my Luke 2:52 goals. For instance, I might have a goal under mental growth like “Read 2 books a month,” or “Learn to play the banjo.” Under physical growth, I might say, “Lose 15 pounds,” or “Join a gym.”
What would your “Luke 2:52” goals look like?
PRAYER: Our Father, we want to grow up like Jesus. Your Spirit empowers us and Your Son leads us in this. We want to cooperate in the work of sanctification that you have begun in us, knowing that you will complete what you have begun on that day. In Jesus’ name, amen.