I get the feeling that wisdom is a big deal to God. Aside from the fact that there is an entire book set aside to the idea of wisdom, we also learn that Jesus grew in wisdom. It must have been a very important facet of Jesus’ life. When you think about how much Jesus would have done in his lifetime here on this earth, and how little we have by comparison, that should make every word precious. When you then consider just how little we know about Jesus as a child, boy or even young man, then whatever words we do have about him during that time become even more precious and powerful and insightful.

We see twice in todays passage that Jesus was growing in wisdom. We see that he became filled with wisdom as a boy and grew in wisdom as a teen. At a time in his life, when most kids are being kids, Jesus was being filled with wisdom. Of course, the times were different then. Young boys would go through a lot of training in the law so that they would grow up knowing how to live it. But, I think there is much more to it than that.

Jesus was fully God and fully man. This is something I don’t even pretend to understand. Part of him being a human was to experience everything we went through. I don’t know how much wisdom Jesus was born with as a human nor how his Godness affected his humanness. That’s a discussion we’ll have to save for a later time, maybe when we don’t have to worry about running out of time.

What I do know is that wisdom is important to God. If it was important enough for Jesus to need to be filled with it, then it is something we need to seek to be filled with as well. Fortunately we don’t have to rely on ourselves to do this, but we also cannot just expect it to come to us with age. We have to seek it out, find it, learn it and internalize it.

Luke 2:21-52

21 At the end of eight days, when he was circumcised, he was named Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

Jesus’ Presentation at the Temple

22 Now when the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, Joseph and Mary brought Jesus up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord 23 (just as it is written in the law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male will be set apart to the Lord”), 24 and to offer a sacrifice according to what is specified in the law of the Lord, a pair of doves or two young pigeons.30-Days-With-Jesus

The Prophecy of Simeon

25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon who was righteous and devout, looking for the restoration of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. 27 So Simeon, directed by the Spirit, came into the temple courts, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what was customary according to the law,28 Simeon took him in his arms and blessed God, saying,

29 “Now, according to your word, Sovereign Lord, permit your servant to depart in peace.
30 For my eyes have seen your salvation
31 that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples:
32 a light,
for revelation to the Gentiles,
and for glory to your people Israel.”

33 So the child’s father and mother were amazed at what was said about him. 34 Then Simeon blessed them and said to his mother Mary, “Listen carefully: This child is destined to be the cause of the falling and rising of many in Israel and to be a sign that will be rejected. 35 Indeed, as a result of him the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed—and a sword will pierce your own soul as well!”

The Testimony of Anna

36 There was also a prophetess, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old, having been married to her husband for seven years until his death. 37 She had lived as a widow since then for eighty-four years. She never left the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day. 38 At that moment, she came up to them and began to give thanks to God and to speak about the child to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.

39 So when Joseph and Mary had performed everything according to the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth.40 And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom, and the favor of God was upon him.

Jesus in the Temple

41 Now Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem every year for the feast of the Passover. 42 When he was twelve years old, they went up according to custom. 43 But when the feast was over, as they were returning home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents did not know it, 44 but (because they assumed that he was in their group of travelers) they went a day’s journey. Then they began to look for him among their relatives and acquaintances. 45 When they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem to look for him. 46 After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. 47 And all who heard Jesus were astonished at his understanding and his answers. 48 When his parents saw him, they were overwhelmed. His mother said to him, “Child, why have you treated us like this? Look, your father and I have been looking for you anxiously.” 49 But he replied, “Why were you looking for me? Didn’t you know that I must be in my Father’s house?”50 Yet his parents did not understand the remark he made to them. 51 Then he went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them. But his mother kept all these things in her heart.

52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature, and in favor with God and with people.

Prayer Focus

Spend some time today asking God to show you areas where you still need to be filled with wisdom, areas where you need your wisdom increased. Then ask God to prepare you mind and spirit to receive the wisdom. When we spend time with Jesus, we learn more about who He was, and he was a very wise man. Seek God in the area of wisdom today.

For further reading & study in wisdom, you might want to check out my blog where I do a daily devotional going through the book of Proverbs. It’s called Proverbious. The goal is to live a proverbious life.