Chapter 7—As a Child
This chapter is based on
Luke 2:39, 40
.
The childhood and youth of Jesus were spent in a little mountain
village. There was no place on earth that would not have been honored
by His presence. The palaces of kings would have been privileged
in receiving Him as a guest. But He passed by the homes of wealth,
the courts of royalty, and the renowned seats of learning, to make His
home in obscure and despised Nazareth.
Wonderful in its significance is the brief record of His early life:
“The child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and
the grace of God was upon Him.” In the sunlight of His Father’s
countenance, Jesus “increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor
with God and man.”
Luke 2:52
. His mind was active and penetrating,
with a thoughtfulness and wisdom beyond His years. Yet His character
was beautiful in its symmetry. The powers of mind and body developed
gradually, in keeping with the laws of childhood.
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
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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 the earliest times the faithful in Israel had given much care
to the education of the youth. The Lord had directed that even from
babyhood the children should be taught of His goodness and His
greatness, especially as revealed in His law, and shown in the history
of Israel. Song and prayer and lessons from the Scriptures were to be
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