As a Child
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early years were given to the study of God’s word. 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. Apart from the unholy ways of the world, He
gathered stores of scientific knowledge from nature. He studied the
life of plants and animals, and the life of man. From His earliest years
He was possessed of one purpose; He lived to bless others. For this He
found resources in nature; new ideas of ways and means flashed into
His mind as He studied plant life and animal life. Continually He was
seeking to draw from things seen illustrations by which to present the
living oracles of God. The parables by which, during His ministry, He
loved to teach His lessons of truth show how open His spirit was to the
influences of nature, and how He had gathered the spiritual teaching
from the surroundings of His daily life.
Thus to Jesus the significance of the word and the works of God
was unfolded, as He was trying to understand the reason of things.
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. And
as we behold the beautiful and grand in nature, our affections go out
after God. While the spirit is awed, the soul is invigorated by coming
in contact with the Infinite through His works. Communion with
God through prayer develops the mental and moral faculties, and the
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spiritual powers strengthen as we cultivate thoughts upon spiritual
things.
The life of Jesus was a life in harmony with God. While He
was a child, He thought and spoke as a child; but no trace of sin
marred the image of God within Him. Yet He was not exempt from
temptation. The inhabitants of Nazareth were proverbial for their
wickedness. The low estimate in which they were generally held is
shown by Nathanael’s question, “Can there any good thing come out
of Nazareth?”
John 1:46
. Jesus was placed where His character would
be tested. It was necessary for Him to be constantly on guard in order
to preserve His purity. He was subject to all the conflicts which we