Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1924-07-10
/. Jesus Growing q. 4ol.


|. Jesus Growing ". 40),
While Jesus Christ was God, vet His
deity did not Interfere with His de-
veiopment as human being The
processes OF His physical, mental and
spiritual growth were the same as In
any normal human being.
l. Grew and Waxed strong It
was necessary fer His body to develop.
His brain, nerves and muscles must
not only attain unto their proper size
but mus. come to act together, become
correlated
2. piled With Wisdom" His train
ing was largely II the hands of His
mother She was a Bible woman, as
evinced by her song Of praise when it
was announced to her that Gods favor
was to come upon her She was there
fore, suitable teacher. She, no doubt,
taught Him to commit Bible verses to
memory and taught Him the great
stories of the Old Testament from the
creation through the patriarchs and
prophets
3. and the Grace of God Was Upon
Him" BY the grace of God doubtless
is meant Gods loving favor and tender
care.
II. Jesus TarryIng Behind at Jeru-
salem wv. 41-43).
At the age of twelve years the Jew
ish child took His place as wor-
shipper in the temple. He was then
considered "a child Of the law" Being
conscious Of His mission. when His
mother and Joseph were returning
from attendance at the Passover, Jesus
tarried behind in the temple and in
quired into the meaning of the ordi-
nances of Gods house He had an
alert, eager mind which inquired after
truth, especially the truth concerning
His Fathers house. His heart yearned
for His Father.
III. Jesus Found In the Temple (vv
44-47).
When His mother and Joseph had
gone some distance on their return
journey they perceived that Jesus was
not with them and sought for Him
among their kinsfolk and acquaint-
ances Not finding Him there, they re-
turned to Jerusalem, where they found
Him in the temple
/. He Was Sitting ". 46). This
shows that He was no passing visitor
or sightseer. He was perfectly at
home In His Fathers house.
2. He Was Hearing the Teachers Of
Gods Word (v. 46). This shows that
He was eager to learn Gods will.
8. He Asked Questions (v. 46). His
growing mind was inquisltive. 1t more
than received what was taught. It
inquired after truth,
4. Tie Answered Questions ". AZ.
His answers showed great wisdom,
such as to astonish those who heard
Him, yet we should not surmise that
He was consciously displaying His wis
dom. 1t was not an exhibition of His
divine wisdom, but the expression Of
the workings Of perfect human mind
suffused by the Holy Spirit.
W. Mary's Complaining WV 1850.
She demonstrated with Him for His
behavior. To this He replied in dig
nified. yet tender manner. He made
no apology showing that He was more
han the son of Mary. God was His
Father. Though Mary did not under
stand these things, as wise mother
she kept them in her heart.
v. Jesus Obedience ". 5D.
Though He was fully conscious of
His divine being and mission he lived
teaching us that obedience to parents
is pleasing to God and a duty which
will be discharged faithfully by those
who have the Spirit of Christ
vi. Jesus Development ". 52).
l. Mental He increased in wisdom.
Although the divine nature was united
with the human, the human was left
free to develop as normal human
mind
q Physical He increased in stature.
This shows that His body developed
according 10 the laws of normal hui
man.
g Spiritual. He Increased In favor
with God and man. As His mind in-
creased. and His apprehension Of God
became more fnll the Divine Being
could more fully express Himself
through Him and, as the perfect life
was lived, men could recognize in Hin
superior qualities and therefore their
hearts would open to Him.