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Luke 1-2: Four Ways I Must Grow in 2009

Jan 5, 2009
Christian Living, Growth, Luke

Today’s reading: Luke 1:1-2:52

 

Probably because it is the beginning of a new year, the verse that struck me the hardest in this reading was the last.

“And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and man” (Luke 2:52).

First of all, I must admit that I struggle with how Jesus, God in the flesh, grew in wisdom. Yet, I have to admit it says He did. If Jesus grew in wisdom and these other attributes I should work on that as well.

1. Wisdom

According to Proverbs, wisdom is crying out to me. Sadly, I’m all too often a fool. Too often, I want to do what comes naturally to me. Instead, I must grow in wisdom by growing in my understanding of God’s word. Certainly, I might increase in human wisdom this year. I may learn from the classics and devour self-help books. However, the beginning of wisdom is the fear of the Lord (Proverbs 1:7). If I’m to grow as Jesus did in wisdom, I must get into God’s book. That’s why what we are doing here at giveattentiontoreading.com is so important.

2. Stature

First, I recognize that Jesus growing in stature here was natural because He was a child growing into a man. Certainly, I’m an adult. I’m not getting any taller and I don’t need to get any bigger (though I have been lately). What I get out of this for me presently is that while I work on my spirit, growing in wisdom, I must not forget to keep my body under control as well. It will do me well in 2009 if I work a little harder on my stature. No, I don’t have to be Arnold Schwarzenegger. However, I can’t very well stick around and serve God’s people or glorify Him on earth if I eat my way into the grave this year. 

3. In favor with God

According to Ephesians 5:10, I need to “try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord” (ESV). My life is not to be about what is pleasing to me. Jesus said He always did what pleased the Father (John 8:29). Sadly, I can’t say the same. This year, I need to work on pleasing God. Not that I’m trying to earn my way into heaven by so doing. Rather, because I love God. Because God has done so much to please me in sending His Son. Therefore, I want to love Him. I want to put His desires first and grow in favor with Him.

4. In favor with man

Granted, I don’t want to put favor with man before favor with God. As the apostles pointed out in Acts 5:29, I must serve God rather than man. At the same time, I can live in favor with man. According to Acts 2:47, the first Christians had favor with the people. Yes, I know at some point all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. This is not a favor with man at all costs. However, when I’m living the godly life, I’m actually going to be one of the most likable fellows. I’ll be a peacemaker. I’ll be a servant. I’ll put others first. And so on. What’s not to like? Being a Christian doesn’t mean going out of my way to be a sour and bring sour grapes into the lives of others. I can be a Christian and have favor with man. I need to learn to serve my fellow man and put others before myself (cf. Philippians 2:3-4). Yes, I’ll repeat the caveat once again, if my fellow man will not be at peace with me, I can’t help that. I must still serve God. However, I don’t have to assume serving God means always being hated by everybody.

What a great four part plan for facing this new year. I now have four goals to work on.

Keep the faith and keep reading,

ELC

P.S. What did you get out of today’s reading?

11 Comments
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  • http://www.sharingthegoodnews.wordpress.com Clay Gentry

    In today's reading I learn the power of persistent prayer.

    Zacharias was well advanced in years (1:7) and yet the Lord, in His own time, answered his prayer for a son (1:13). Too often when we don't see immediate results we give up, we quit praying. By Zacharias keep on praying making his petition known. The Lord taught us to pray and not lose heart (Luk 18:1), Zacharias is a perfect example of that teaching.

    May we learn patience as we wait on the Lord (Psa 27:14), may we never lose heart in our prayers.

    Clay

  • Nathan

    Everything is about Jesus. John was born, but his parents, Zechariah and Elizabeth, first praised the Son of Mary!

    Mary went to visit Elizabeth, who was six months pregnant. You would expect them to immediately start discussing Elizabeth's health and the upcoming birth of her baby, but the first words out Elizabeth's mouth were praise for Mary's child.

    After John was born, Zechariah made a little speech. It was not the natural outpouring of joy and wonder at having a new son. He praised the God of Israel for sending Jesus! To be fair, he did say his son would "be called the prophet of the Most High," but, again, his focus was still on the One who was greater than his own son.

    Just thought that was cool.

  • http://www.andysochor.com Andy Sochor

    The lesson that jumped out at me was one about faith.

    Zacharias was told by the angel about John and his role in God's plan (1:13-17). Instead of immediately accepting this revelation, he questioned it and was made mute (1:18-20).

    Then, after the child was born, and he declares (writes) to everyone, "His name is John," thus affirming the Lord's declaration made through the angel. Then his tongue was loosed (1:63-64).

    We should not be hesitant to accept God's word. We should simply accept it.

  • Bekah

    2:8-20…something new I saw in this was this phrase "So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven". I had never really pictured this scene before, perhaps in some vague way – the shepherds heard singing from heaven. It stood out to me and made it a more real image in my mind.

    It's also interesting to me how much is covered in just these 2 chapters – from before John was born til when Jesus is 12. And I think about what all of Jesus' youth we just don't know. But, I wonder what it was like…

  • Bekah

    I also really appreciate what you brought out in today's reading. I really needed this motivation – to strive, to grow spiritually. It gets away from me so easily. I appreciate this avenue to help me keep my focus.

  • Bekah

    Ok, one more thing. :-) In Mary's praise 2:46-55 – I think it's significant that she acknowledges people will forever call her blessed, but leaves it at that. She doesn't go on and on about herself, but praises God. I wish more people could perceive Mary the way she saw herself and not worship her, but the God who chose her to serve.

  • Edwin Crozier

    Thinking about all we don't know about Jesus, Bekah…

    This reminds me that the gospels are not biographies of Jesus. They were not written to tell us everything about Jesus' life. They were written to convince us Jesus is the Messiah.

    Also, speaking of how much is covered in these two chapters: I think that may be because today's is the longest reading of the whole six months…I think.

  • Edwin Crozier

    Sorry that these comments got posted out of order (not that it matters that much). Anyway, the time on my blog was messed up. I think I have that fixed now. I just didn't want Clay, Nathan and Andy to think I had ignored them.

    Clay, you know I'm all over the prayer lessons. What a powerful point to bring up. This blog helps us with the Bible reading. Maybe someone needs to start a "Give Attention to Prayer" blog.

    Nathan, if only we could all learn the lesson you bring up and make our lives all about Jesus as well.

    Andy, great point. I have a question for you. Why did Zacharias' question receive a rebuke and Mary's receive an explanation? Was there a different motivation in the questions?

  • http://www.andysochor.com Andy Sochor

    Good question. I think there's a subtle difference between Zacharias' question and Mary's. I checked three translation (NASB, KJV, and NIV). The New International Version makes this difference the most apparent:

    Zacharias – "How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years." (1:18)

    Mary – "How will this be … since I am a virgin? (1:34)

    How could Zacharias be sure? The angel of God told him it would happen, that's how he could be sure. He shouldn't need anything else. Mary, on the other hand, seems to merely be asking how it would happen, not how can she believe the angel's message.

    That's how I understand the difference anyway.

  • Kristena

    My comments will probably be a day late b/c I do my reading @ bedtime. I was struck by 2:19, "But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart." As a mom, you never want to be the one who talks about your perfect kids so much that others find you annoying. We all know people like that. I'm definitely headed down that road. But, joking aside, she knew that her Son would deliver the human race from their sins and she kept it to herself. Her kid actually WAS perfect! She was a mommy to Him and knew that was her role. Others were sent to do the work of preparing the way for Him. I'm impressed by her silence and humility.

  • Edwin Crozier

    Kristena, your comments are welcome at any time.

    What a great illustration of how our different walks in life cause us to be drawn to different parts of the reading. I'm so glad you've decided to take this journey with us.

    I can hardly imagine what it must have been like to parent God in the flesh. Of course, this makes me think of some of the struggles that Marita and I have had with other parents. It is as if every single parenting decision is thrown in our face by one side or another because we are going to ruin our kids: nurse or bottle feed; cloth or disposable diapers; rod or timeout; strict or lax; home school or public; let them read a certain book or don't; and so on and so on. It finally hit me. It seems that most people live in the quiet delusion that they are raising the next Jesus Christ. It is as if some parents believe if they make all of these decisions correctly, their child is going to be perfect. I'm not saying throw caution to the wind. I'm just pointing out only Mary got to be the mother to Jesus. The rest of us are going to have kids that end up sinning no matter what choices we make. Therefore, instead of parenting to try to keep them sheltered from sin, we better parent them to know what to do when they sin.

    Okay, I'm off my soapbox. I'm sure I've started the avalanche of argument that I want to avoid on this site. This is just what your comments made me think about, Kristena. So, I guess it's your fault. ;)



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