The Childhood of Jesus

Luke 2:39‑52  •  2 min. read  •  grade level: 7
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Luke 2:3939And when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city Nazareth. (Luke 2:39). When all was done according to the law, “they returned into Galilee, to their own city Nazareth.” Jesus would not be the Christ we need if He had taken any glory from Jerusalem. His place is among the poor of the flock, His place all through in Israel.
Luke 2:4040And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him. (Luke 2:40). “And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon Him.” Luke gives us more of the reality of His childhood than the other gospels. He was not made man full-formed as Adam. If one only reads the account without comment, how the soul feels it unspeakably precious! When we see who it was, we see human nature in Him filled with God. It is not official distinction, but the heart feels God brought nigh. The blessedness of the child’s intrinsic loveliness fills the heart. Deeply instructive, too, is the incident recorded in connection with the Passover when He was 12 years old. His true character comes out, though He was not yet to act upon it. He came to be a Nazarene to be about His Father’s business. This is here stated distinctly before He enters upon His public ministry, that it might be seen to be connected with His person and not to depend merely upon His office. He was the Pastor of the flock in spirit and character. It belonged to Him. He was the Son of the Father, though abiding God’s time for showing it.
Luke 2:5151And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart. (Luke 2:51). Nevertheless, “He went down with them... and was subject unto them.” What a majesty in His whole life. His being God secured His perfection as a child and man here below. He had ever the blessed consciousness of His relationship to His Father, an obedient child, but conscious also of a glory unconnected in itself with subjection to human parentage. He belonged to Mary and even Joseph; in another sense He was not theirs. His divine Sonship was as well-known to Him as His obedience to His parents was in due season absolutely right.
Luke 2:5252And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man. (Luke 2:52). “And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.” His human intelligence being developed, He, though ever perfect, became so in a fuller way; the perfect child grows into the perfect man. The lovely plant grew up and unfolded before God and man.
J. N. Darby (Notes on the Gospel of Luke)