Chapter 274—As Jesus Grew
And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom:
and the grace of God was upon him.
Luke 2:40
.
The Majesty of heaven, the King of glory, became a babe in Bethlehem,
and for a time represented the helpless infant in its mother’s care. In
childhood He spoke and acted as a child, honoring His parents, and carrying
out their wishes in helpful ways. But from the first dawning of intelligence
He was constantly growing in grace and in a knowledge of truth.
Parents and teachers should aim so to cultivate the tendencies of the
youth that at each stage of life they may represent the beauty appropriate to
that period, unfolding naturally, as do the plants in the garden.
As a child Jesus manifested a peculiar loveliness of disposition. His
willing hands were ever ready to serve others. He manifested a patience that
nothing could disturb, and a truthfulness that would never sacrifice integrity.
In principle firm as a rock, His life revealed the grace of unselfish courtesy.
With deep earnestness the mother of Jesus watched the unfolding of
His powers, and beheld the impress of perfection upon His character. With
delight she sought to encourage that bright, receptive mind. Through the
Holy Spirit she received wisdom to co-operate with the heavenly agencies
in the development of this child, who could claim only God as His Father....
From her lips and from the scrolls of the prophets, He learned of heavenly
things. The very words which He Himself had spoken to Moses for Israel
He was now taught at His mother’s knee.... And spread out before Him
was the great library of God’s created works. He who had made all things
studied the lessons which His own hand had written in earth and sea and
sky.... Heavenly beings were His attendants, and the culture of holy thoughts
and communings was His. From the first dawning of intelligence He was
constantly growing in spiritual grace and knowledge of truth.
Every child may gain knowledge as Jesus did. As we try to become
acquainted with our heavenly Father through His Word, angels will draw
near, our minds will be strengthened, our characters will be elevated and
refined. We shall become more like our Saviour.
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