"CHILDHOOD OF JESUS"

Press, 21 May 1979, Page 8

"CHILDHOOD OF JESUS"

The name of. Jesus is used 979 times in the New Testament. It is the earthly name of God's Son. As God, He was not called Jesus or Christ. Jesus is the Greek form of the Hebrew Yehoshua, rendered Joshua, meaning "Saviour," or "God is my Salvation." There is very little recorded in Scripture about the formative years of our Lord, yet when we come to Luke's Gospel, the second chapter gives us some very strong clues about these important years. In verse 40 we read, "And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom and the grace of God was upon Him.” Four facts stand out in this verse:

1. He grew in body. 2. He grew strong in mind. 3. He was filled with wisdom. 4. He lived in God's grace. Here we have a picture of a growing child whose mind was mighty, who had a deep reverence for God and also walked in His favour. At 12 years of age Jesus became "a Son of the law/' at Jerusalem. The Bible tells us that the parents after the passover began their journey home. At the end of the first day Jesus was missing. Returning to Jerusalem they found him sitting, the position of teacher 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. Here we find our sth fact. "He had the gift of teaching." Teaching at 12 years was unheard of, but it was only normal for Him with his divine insight into truth that He had after 12 years of instruction by God through The Holy Spirit. In (Isaiah 50:4-5) we read of His qualifications, we also have reference to the personal training of the Messiah from childhood. "The Lord God has given me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him that is weary: He wakens me morning by morning, He wakens my ear to hear as the learned. The Lord God has opened my ear, and I was not rebellious, neither turned away back." Not only was Jesus given the gift of

teaching but He was willing to do the will of God regardless of suffering. Scolded for not telling His parents of His intention to remain in Jerusalem, Jesus replied, "I must be about my Father's business." Here is the 6th fact, Jesus knew His life's mission which was to reyeal God, to do God s will, to proclaim God's words, to glorify God's name, to unfold God's love, to accomplish God's work, and finally one day to bring His own into His father's house. In verses 51-52 we read, "And He went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them — and Jesus increased in wisdom and

stature, and in favour with God and man.” Here 4 more facts are revealed. 7. He was a model boy. 8. He increased in wisdom. 9. He grew to maturity — adulthood. 10. He grew in favour with God and man. The Psalmist wrote about Jesus. "I have more understanding than all my teachers: For thy Testimonies are my meditation. I understand more than the ancients, because I keep thy precepts. — Through your precepts I get understanding, therefore I hate every false way.” Of Jesus God said, "This Is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased.” Monday 's Message from