What Jesus Did! 'He Grew Up!' — Luke 2:39-40

Saturday, February 4, 2023

Merry Christmas!

We pray the Lord blesses you with the grace of Jesus' presence this Christmas!

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When Jesus' parents had fulfilled all the requirements of the law of the Lord [by Mary's purification and by dedicating young Jesus], they returned home to Nazareth in Galilee. There the child grew up healthy and strong. He was filled with wisdom, and God's favor was on him.
— Luke 2:39-40 NLT

Key Thought

Think how amazing these statements in today's verses are. God came to visit our world in Jesus, but this visit began with Jesus first being born and then growing up. This natural sequence of human events for Jesus, the Creator, [1] boggles the mind. The amazing part of this passage is not that God placed his favor on Jesus, but that he favored us by choosing to share our human experiences. Amazing! And why did he do it? So we could know that he has been where we are; and so we would call out to him to help us in our times of struggle, weakness, vulnerability, and temptation.

[1] Colossians 1:16.

Today's Prayer

I praise you, Lord God Almighty, for choosing to come live among us as one of us. Thank you for being so gracious and glorious to us, your human children. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

  • Hebrews 2:14-16
  • Hebrews 4:14-16
  • Luke 18:15-17

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Illustration

Illustration of Luke 2:39-40 NLT — There the child grew up healthy and strong.

About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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