When we consider the question of strength and weakness, we find many references in the Word of God to both of these. Weakness was found in many people, and also strength. There were those who were naturally weak, yet were made strong because they relied on the Lord’s strength. Likewise, there were those who were naturally strong, yet became weak because the Lord was not with them. Some of these individuals are mentioned in other articles in this issue of The Christian.
However, we find an unusual expression in Luke’s gospel — a phrase applied to both John the Baptist and our Lord Jesus Christ—namely, that when they were growing up in this world, they “waxed strong in spirit” (Luke 1:80; 2:4080And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his showing unto Israel. (Luke 1:80)
40And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him. (Luke 2:40)). There is some question as to whether the words “in spirit” should be included in the reference to the Lord Jesus in Luke 2:40,40And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him. (Luke 2:40) and a number of good translations of the Bible leave it out, including the JND translation. There is significance to this omission, which we will comment on later.
When we consider John the Baptist, we find that his birth was unusual, as his parents were both older and beyond the age when they could normally have children. But this had happened hundreds of years before with Abraham and Sarah, and so it happened to Zacharias and Elizabeth. The angel who announced the news to Zacharias made prophecies concerning John, even to the point of giving his name, which is derived from Hebrew. It means “graced by God,” or freely translated, “God has been gracious.” Later, when God opened the mouth of Zacharias after John was born, he was able to give further prophecies concerning the son that had been born to him. Finally, it is recorded that “the child grew, and waxed [became] strong [or, strengthened] in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his showing unto Israel” (John 1:80).
The Mental Disposition
The word used here for “spirit” is the same word used for “spirit” in most references in the New Testament, and it can refer to the Holy Spirit, an evil spirit, or even the mental disposition of a person. As examples of this last interpretation, we read in Matthew 5:33Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 5:3) of those who were “poor in spirit” and, in Acts 18:2525This man was instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in the spirit, he spake and taught diligently the things of the Lord, knowing only the baptism of John. (Acts 18:25) JND, of Apollos who was “fervent in his spirit.”
What then does the expression “strong in spirit” mean in the case of John the Baptist? We know that it is our human spirit that is able to recognize who God is and enables us to have a relationship with Him. Sometimes in Scripture it is difficult to separate references to the human spirit from the action of the Spirit of God in the same individual. I would suggest that this is the case here. Doubtless the Lord was fitting John for the work he was to do, strengthening him in body, soul and spirit, but especially in spirit. In order to be the forerunner of the Lord Jesus, John could not be a weak man, for he would face strong opposition from the Jewish leaders and from King Herod as well. Also, he must be able to live outside the “social circle,” so to speak. Those who sought the Lord must be willing to go out into the desert to find John. While John was not indwelt by the Spirit of God, as believers are today, yet surely the Spirit of God was involved in all this, just as in the days of Samson, when that same Spirit “began to move him [Samson] at times” (Judg. 13:2525And the Spirit of the Lord began to move him at times in the camp of Dan between Zorah and Eshtaol. (Judges 13:25)).
Where Credit Is Due
You and I may not have as prominent a mission as John the Baptist, but the Lord has a work for each of us to do as Christians. If we are willing to be used, He can and will strengthen us, so that we too can become “strong in spirit” and able to carry out the work the Lord has given us. The important thing is to recognize that the strength is not our own, but God’s. John constantly looked to the Lord and would not allow any credit to be given to him. No matter what question was put to him, he always simply “turned the spotlight” on the Lord Jesus. As a result, the Lord Jesus could say of him, “Among those that are born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist” (Luke 7:2828For I say unto you, Among those that are born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist: but he that is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he. (Luke 7:28)).
He Became Strong in Manhood
But now, what about our Lord Jesus Christ? As I have noted in the second paragraph of this article, many better translations of the Scriptures leave out the words “in spirit” in Luke 2:40,40And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him. (Luke 2:40) so that it reads, “The child grew and waxed strong, filled with wisdom, and God’s grace was upon Him.” Here we are speaking of the Person of our Lord Jesus Christ, and we must be very careful to use “words ... which the Holy Ghost teacheth” (1 Cor. 2:1313Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. (1 Corinthians 2:13)).
Concerning the Lord Jesus, we read in Colossians 2:9,9For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. (Colossians 2:9) “In Him dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily.” How then could He “wax strong,” and why not “in spirit”? We know that the Person of Christ as the Son of Man is a divine mystery and that the perfect blending of God and man in one Person is impossible for us to understand. However, we do know that His becoming man was something new for Him, something to which (we speak reverently) He must learn to adapt Himself. For example, we read in Hebrews 5:88Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; (Hebrews 5:8) JND that “though He were Son, He learned obedience from the things which He suffered.” As man, He learned the experience and cost of obedience—something He had never done before. In that same sense, He “became strong” as man, although perfectly all-powerful as God already. Though in Person He was always the Son, yet He personally entered into manhood — spirit, soul, and body—and so completely that, as one has said, “There was in Him nothing lacking of all that pertained to perfect manhood; He was all and felt all that man should be and feel — made in all things like to his brethren. ... He was made of a woman, partook of flesh and blood — was truly the woman’s seed, and from her derived the nature of a man which placed Him in relation to God and things here as a responsible Man on earth.”
His Human Spirit
In this way our Lord “became strong” as He grew in this world, but it was not necessary for Him to become strong “in spirit.” Our Lord certainly had a human spirit, yet because “in Him is no sin” (1 John 3:55And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin. (1 John 3:5)), His spirit was always perfectly in communion with God His Father. We know that He was born of the Spirit (Luke 1:3535And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God. (Luke 1:35)), and later He received the Spirit of God as power for His earthly ministry (Matt. 3:16-1716And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: 17And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. (Matthew 3:16‑17)). His human spirit always answered perfectly to the Spirit of God.
What wonder, what awe, and yet what joy fill our hearts, as we see, on the one hand, our Lord Jesus Christ coming into this world, and how the Spirit of God carefully guards His Person! Here we find ourselves in the presence of One who surpasses the comprehension of our minds, and yet calls forth the worship and adoration of our hearts. On the other hand, we see how God delights to strengthen His own whom He has marked out for service for Him, as in John the Baptist. He wants us to be “strong in spirit” too, as those who are here to represent Christ in this world and to testify for Him.
W. J. Prost