Growing in Wisdom and Stature, and in Favor with GOD and Man (as Yeshua did)

The Scriptures informing us of how Jesus as a Child matured, should give us reasons to investigate our history and future intentions. We don’t know anything about the youthful stages of Yeshua after birth, until He turned (12).

The text does not say much, as He was growing up. However, we are getting the sense of what He did when He was (12). This taste gave us a peek into what was being formed in Him already.  “Spiritual Work” was at present being done—by Him. Sure, His parents had something to do with His rearing, but the spiritual acuity, insight and perception... They were of His own efforts.

Being a 12-year-old boy was/and is a major undertaking. A 12-year-old boy was approaching a pivotal spiritual and social transition—preparing to become a “son of the Law” and take personal responsibility for obeying the Torah (Word of GOD).

His adolescent life was more than a memo, as it truly a reliable blueprint for our own comprehensive growth.

My initial question is… How?

The Bible shares that at 12-years of age (consider younger as well), He was in tune to things most boys were likely not. 

• Could it be the Wisdom He had, and His intellectual and spiritual insights were superior to the other men and boys He spent time within the temple and out playing?

• Could it be that stature He had was such because He was nurtured and fed well? We know that Joseph taught the Child the way of carpentry, thus assisting with physical maturity and strength.

• Could it be that favor He had with GOD was His own attention to detail for deepening spiritual intimacy and obedience, as He was learning His purpose and plan for being born to die, for the people He was living around?

• Could it be that favor He had with man meant that His relational alignment and focus were centered with His own choice to be obedient and submitted? Scripture shares, “after He and His parents had the conversation once Jesus was located at the temple.” He was “submitted to their authority”. He was apparently already being recognized for His trustworthiness as a child and in the Words of Torah and the prophets.

My question is… What is our excuse?

I know. I know. “He is GOD!”

Yep, but He is also a little Boy. When will we “true and faithful” followers of the Scriptures (GOD’s Word) want to know Him, even as this child? How was He already building solid character and spiritual muscle.

This level of maturity reverberates the balance of His heart, mind, body, and soul. He is already modeling the look of a balanced and integrated individual. Yep. His spiritual, emotional, physical, and social growth are all one. They were not intentionally separate tracks but merged together. We grown-ups work to keep those areas separate. Why is that?

As Jesus grew, His increasing Wisdom was apparently baffling the intelligence of the men He was around. His depth and knowledge were not likely what He repeated from His parents, but what He Himself was reading, hearing and memorizing. He was on a journey to know the True GOD, His Father.

He was immersed (baptized) in not just physical growth but a deepening grasp of Torah, covenant responsibility, and communal trust.

Do today’s men (and women) do that? We people struggle with being kind and godly. Why is that? The intriguing thing is, like Jesus, we also have the Spirit’s help.

Why then do we fight against our dedication to our pursuit of the Father and His righteousness? We would rather choose to lean towards our selfish motivated desires, people’s opinions and support and the Satan’s lies.

This Child asked His parents, after they found and questioned Him, “Did you not know [recall] I would be about My Father’s Business (Affairs, in the Things of My Father)?” (Luke 2:49). He chose cooperation and obedience with His “Father”, not rebellion against His earthly parents.

What about the men? Yeah… I would imagine they were feeling a bit spiritually inadequate. I can also see their eyes as big as the lechem (bread) cakes, and their ears were perked up, as He spoke and carried Himself.

Like the men later on who were walking to Emmaus, they were hot on the inside, because their hearts were alive within them at the Words and in-depth explanation this Child was expounding in. His grasp of Scripture, questions, and answers revealed were not just knowledge but understanding. The word binah, which implies discernment born of relationship and experience, was probably tossed around among them, when Yeshua was not around.

This Kid was embodying the traits of a trustworthy Son and a covenant bearer. “Whose Son is this?!” They only pictured Joseph as the community carpenter. They had no clue Who His Father really was.

Whose son are you, sir/ma’am?

1.  Are you and I asking good questions, listening deeply, discerning Truth?

2.  Are we honoring our own bodies as vessels of service and strength?

3.  Are we cultivating our intimacy and obedience with the Father, along with the awe we should have of Him?

4.  Are we building trust, showing empathy, living honorably with those around us?

This 12-year-old was a Model for the Sanhedrin of the day and the world as we know right now’s believers.

This account of His life serves as a pattern for ALL disciples of His, showing that spiritual growth, physical development, and positive social relationships are all important aspects of a healthy and balanced life.

Just as Jesus learned obedience, we too are expected to follow His 12-year-old lead. He earned His “perfect” epitaph.

Like us, He went through a process of development. True followers and believers are also called to continually grow in these areas, becoming more like Him.