A Nugget from New Life Network
(by Chris Musgrove of Future Now)
Scripture for the Day
September 22, 2020
Luke 2:40: And the Child grew and became strong in spirit, filled with wisdom; and the grace of God was upon Him.
Jesus Was a Student of the Word Jesus became strong in spirit, in mind, intellect, and understanding. Jesus had a human soul, and that soul was subject to all the proper laws of a human spirit. It increased, therefore, in knowledge, strength, and character. Jesus as a boy grew physically, mentally, and spiritually.
Luke 2:52: And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.
The Amplified Bible: And Jesus increased in wisdom (in broad and full understanding) and in stature and years, and in favor with God and man. Other translations call stature age or maturity. He matured just like any other Jewish boy. The difference with Jesus was that He went after understanding, as we see in these next verses.
Luke 2:46-47: After three days they (his parents) found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. 47 And all who heard Him were astonished at His understanding and answers.
The Greek word for understanding is sunesis, which means a putting together; quickness of apprehension; the critical faculty for clear apprehension; intelligently assessing a situation. Sunesis is comparable to us saying, “putting two and two together.”
Jesus was discovering the plans God had for Him, as He had read in Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
Jesus was a student of the Word of God, as we see from Luke 2:46 where He was listening and asking questions. As we see from this next verse, He maintained that faithfulness to go to the synagogue and gain wisdom and understanding. Luke 4:16:
How can we tell that Jesus was filled with wisdom and understanding? Because He was filled with the Word as we see in Luke 4:4; 8 and 12. In each of those verses, Jesus just spoke the Word of God every time the devil tempted Him. You must know the Word of God to be able to speak it.
John 12:49-50: For I have not spoken on My own authority; but the Father who sent Me gave Me a command, what I should say and what I should speak. 50 And I know that His command is everlasting life. Therefore, whatever I speak, just as the Father has told Me, so I speak.
God’s Word is the Word of the Father. That is what Jesus spoke, and it’s what we should be speaking.
I Peter 4:11: If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God.
I am hiding God’s Word in my heart so it will come out my mouth (Psalm 119:11),
