Luke 2:40 And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was on him. In what respects, then, is the youth of CHRIST AN EXAMPLE TO US 1. First, it is an example to us of personal piety, and that from our earliest years. "The grace of God was upon Him," is the evangelist's expression in our text; whilst, a few verses lower down, we have him saying, "And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man." 2. Again, in the youth of Christ we have an example of diligence in the use of means for our mental progress and improvement. "He was filled with wisdom," says our text. And after His Visit to the Temple, it is said again, "He increased in wisdom." The youth of Christ, then, we consider, may fairly be cited as furnishing us with an example of the dignity, and value, and importance of intellectual culture. 3. We note next that Christ in His youth was an example of reverent submission to parental authority. "And He went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject to them." 4. Further, Christ in His youth is an example to us of the duty of a heartfelt and entire consecration of ourselves to the Divine service. "Must ye not that I must be about My Father's business?" was the question of the Holy One to His parents, when they found Him in the Temple. 5. Once more, Christ in His youth is an example to us of patient and contented acquiescence in our providential lot however adverse, however obscure, however disappointing to the expectations which our friends may have formed for us, or which we, in our foolish pride, may be tempted to form for ourselves. (D. Moore, M. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him. |
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