Was he a child like me?
We know little of the childhood of Jesus. After the birth narrative, the Gospels are silent except for only a handful of events: the family's escape to Egypt (Matthew 2:14) and return to Nazareth (Matthew 2:23; Luke 2:39); His increasing wisdom (Luke 2:40-52); and His visit to the Temple in Jerusalem at age 12 and obedience to His parents (Luke 2:41-51).
A number of attempts have been made to suggest what the childhood fo Jesus would have looked like, but the truth is we do not know, they still remain the silent years. Except there is the telling phrase in Luke 2:52 variously translated as “Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.” Or as JB Phillips paraphrased “Jesus continued to grow in body and mind, he grew also in the love of God and of those who knew him.”
In this one verse the whole childhood of Jesus is displayed and reveals that Jesus grew (1) intellectually, (2) physically, (3) spiritually, and (4) socially. Thus He grew and matured like any other person.
Perhaps this verse says more about those who observed the growing boy Jesus than of the fullness of God personified in the Christchild. Those around him had begun to see the fullness of Jesus’ person unfold over time as his words and actions reveal who he is. Whilst his birth, as narrated in Matthew and Luke, gives a hint of where things are headed by pointing to his unique conception and by making it clear Jesus is sent by God and is the promised one. The more gradual unveiling in the Synoptic Gospels fits with the experience many people around Jesus would have had as they came to realise his full identity over the course of years.
An Irish legend tells of a king who disguised himself and went into the banquet hall of one of his barons. He was escorted to a lowly place among the throng who sat at the feast. The brilliance of his conversation and the nobility of his manner soon attracted the attention of someone with sufficient authority to escort him to a higher table. The same thing occurred once more, and soon he was seated among the nobles of the land. After a display of great wisdom, one of the lords spoke out, “In truth, sir, you speak like a king. If you are not a king, you deserve to be.” Then the king removed his disguise and took his rightful place among his subjects.
Is this what happened when the Lord Jesus Christ came to this earth? Although he was “disguised” as a lowly carpenter from Nazareth, He was the King of kings and Lord of lords. But His subjects were so blinded by their own pride and sin that they were not willing to bow before Him, even though He stated repeatedly and gave sufficient proof that He was the eternal God come down to redeem them.
More about Jesus would I know,
More of His grace to others show;
More of his saving fullness see,
More of His love who died for me.
Refrain:
More, more about Jesus,
More, more about Jesus;
More of His saving fullness see,
More of His love who died for me.
More about Jesus let me learn,
More of his holy will discern;
Spirit of God, my teacher be,
Showing the things of Christ to me.
More about Jesus in His Word,
Holding communion with my Lord;
Hearing his voice in ev'ry line,
Making each faithful saying mine. [Refrain]
More about Jesus on his throne,
Riches in glory all His own;
More if His kingdom's sure increase;
More of His coming, Prince of peace. [Refrain]
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