Jesus' Teen Years

“And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men."    Luke 2:52 (NIV)     

Reflect

Do you notice the differences between this summary statement of Jesus’ teen years and Luke’s summary statement of Jesus’ preteen years (yesterday Luke 2:40)

Luke now uses the word “stature” and writes of Jesus growing in favor not only with God but also with other people.

Stature includes the element of respect.   He was respected by other teens and adults.  He had a certain “stature” of character and virtue in his community.  Is this not a worthy goal toward which any parent would want to parent his or her teen?

He was also liked by other people.  It’s one thing to be respected.   It’s another to be liked.  Of course, no one is liked by everyone, but being likeable is a really good place to start, especially when you know that your life path is going make waves.

Prayer

“Lord, today I seek to live in such a way that my life will communicate to others a deep respect for You.   At the same time I will seek to be accessible to others, not first to be likable, rather to be the kind of person who easily likes others.  Amen”