Hello, friends! Welcome back to A Word from the Vine. I'm Pastor Loren Christensen, and I'm delighted to have you with me today. In our last episode, we talked about the continuous celebration of Christmas. Today, we're going to focus on growing in faith and wisdom, inspired by the early life of Jesus.
Have you ever thought about what it means to grow in wisdom and faith? In Luke 2:40-52, we see Jesus as a young boy, growing in wisdom and stature. This passage gives us a glimpse into His early life and His deep understanding of His divine mission.
Let's take a moment to reflect on this passage. Jesus' parents, Mary and Joseph, took Him to Jerusalem every year for the Feast of the Passover. When Jesus was twelve years old, He stayed behind in Jerusalem, and His parents found Him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking questions. The passage tells us that all who heard Him were amazed at His understanding and His answers.
This story highlights Jesus' dedication to learning and His desire to be in His Father's house. It also reminds us of the importance of seeking knowledge and wisdom in our own spiritual journeys. Just as Jesus grew in wisdom, we too are called to grow in our faith and understanding of God's word.
One of the most profound aspects of Jesus' teachings is His emphasis on love. In John 13:34-35, Jesus says, "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another." This commandment calls us to love others selflessly and sacrificially, just as Jesus loves us.
Jesus also taught us about forgiveness. In Matthew 18:21-22, Peter asks Jesus how many times he should forgive someone who sins against him. Jesus replies, "I do not say to you seven times, but seventy-seven times." This teaching emphasizes the importance of forgiveness in our relationships and encourages us to extend grace to others as God has extended grace to us.
In addition to His teachings, Jesus performed many miracles that demonstrated His divine power and compassion. He healed the sick, gave sight to the blind, cast out demons, and even raised the dead. These miracles were signs of God's love and power, and they remind us that nothing is impossible with God.
As we reflect on Jesus' life and teachings, we are reminded of our calling to follow Him closely. We are called to live out His teachings in our daily lives by loving others selflessly, forgiving those who wrong us, seeking justice for the oppressed, showing compassion for those in need—and ultimately living lives that reflect Christ's love.
Growing in faith and wisdom is a lifelong journey. It requires dedication, humility, and a willingness to learn and grow. It means spending time in God's word, seeking His guidance through prayer, and being open to the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
Let's strive to follow Jesus' example, growing in wisdom and faith each day. Let's seek to deepen our relationship with God and to live out His teachings in our daily lives.
Thank you for joining me today on A Word from the Vine. I hope this reflection on growing in faith and wisdom has been meaningful for you. Let's close with a prayer.
Dear Heavenly Father, we thank You for the example of Jesus, who grew in wisdom and stature and in favor with You and with man. Help us to seek wisdom and to grow in our faith each day. Fill us with Your love and compassion, and guide us in all that we do. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.
I look forward to having you with me in our next episode, where we'll continue our series on "Living the Christmas Truth Every Day." Until then, may God bless you and keep you.
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