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Jesus Grew in Wisdom
May 17, 2014

Last week we learned that even Jesus needed to honor his mother Mary, and the life he would live became evident to all at a very young age. Consider the following passage from the book of Luke.

Luke 2:41-52
Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the passover. And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast. And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it. But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day's journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance. And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him. And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions. And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers. And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing. And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business? And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them. And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart. And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.

By the time Jesus was twelve, he was considered to by a knowledgeable and wise youth who was able to reason with the educated elite in matters of religion. It was amazing then as this sounds in the modern era, considering that in the modern era, at age 12 Jesus would have been in seventh grade. At this very young age, Jesus was already busy with his Father's business and his determination allowed him to grow in wisdom and stature while developing favor with both God and man. It must have been astounding for adults to find a youth age 12 with this level of wisdom and maturity.

Mark 6:1-6
And he went out from thence, and came into his own country; and his disciples follow him. And when the sabbath day was come, he began to teach in the synagogue: and many hearing him were astonished, saying, From whence hath this man these things? and what wisdom is this which is given unto him, that even such mighty works are wrought by his hands? Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended at him. But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, but in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house. And he could there do no mighty work, save that he laid his hands upon a few sick folk, and healed them. And he marvelled because of their unbelief. And he went round about the villages, teaching.

The astonishment continued into his ministry. Those who heard him had a hard time understanding how a carpenter's son could have this level of wisdom. There was no public education so those who would have been what is today called the middle working class would have not received this type of education. Those who heard could not accept that an uneducated person could be so knowledgeable.

Luke 21:10-18
Then said he unto them, Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven. But before all these, they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues, and into prisons, being brought before kings and rulers for my name's sake. And it shall turn to you for a testimony. Settle it therefore in your hearts, not to meditate before what ye shall answer: For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist. And ye shall be betrayed both by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolks, and friends; and some of you shall they cause to be put to death. And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake. But there shall not an hair of your head perish.

Jesus grew in wisdom and so must we. With wisdom we preserve our own life by preventing our adversaries from gaining an advantage on us, and while many may hate us for our beliefs, wisdom will preserve our life.

All verses are from the King James Version.
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