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42
Humble Hero
such sources. His thorough acquaintance with the Scriptures shows
how diligently He studied God’s Word when He was young.
Nature Supplemented the Bible
The great library of God’s created works was spread out before
Him. He had made all things, and now He studied the lessons His
own hand had written in earth and sea and sky. He gathered much
[27]
scientific knowledge from nature—from plants, animals, and man.
The parables by which He loved to teach lessons of truth show how
He gathered spiritual teaching from nature and the surroundings of
His daily life.
As Jesus was trying to understand the reason of things, heavenly
beings helped Him. 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, angels will draw near,
our minds will be strengthened, our characters elevated and refined.
We will become more like our Savior. And as we gaze at the beautiful
and grand things in nature, our hearts are drawn to God. The spirit
is awed, the soul invigorated by coming in contact with the Infinite
through His works. Communion with God through prayer develops
mental and moral power.
While Jesus was a child, He thought and spoke as a child, but
no trace of sin marred the image of God in Him. But He was not
exempt from temptation. The people of Nazareth were well known
for their wickedness. See
John 1:46
. Jesus had to be constantly
on guard in order to preserve His purity. He was subject to all the
conflicts we have to meet so that He could be an example to us in
childhood, youth, and manhood.
From His earliest years, heavenly angels guarded Jesus, yet His
life was one long struggle against the powers of darkness. The
prince of darkness tried every possible way to ensnare Jesus with
temptation.
Jesus was familiar with poverty, self-denial, and need. This
experience was a protection for Him. He had no idle time to open
the way for corrupting friendships. Nothing—not gain or pleasure,
applause or criticism—could get Him to consent to a wrong act.