Time To Grow Up

Today’s Bible readings are Numbers 26:1-51, Luke 2:36-52, Psalm 60:1-12, & Proverbs 11:15

Luke 2:51-52

⁵¹ Then he returned to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. And his mother stored all these things in her heart.

⁵² Jesus grew in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and all the people.

These verses unfold at a very interesting time in Jesus’ life. Jesus was pretty young still. He was 12. It was the time of the Passover. They journeyed to Jerusalem as usual. This time was different. This time Jesus found His way into the temple. He had been there for approximately 3 days.

The temple was a place where many religious people would gather, for what we might call small group. They would read a portion of the Torah & then discuss it. Each Rabbi would give an interpretation of what the text meant to them. This particular day was a different because a 12 year boy had stolen the spot light.

Every child was taught the Torah, or the Law, as they were growing up. It was God’s instruction to His people after He delivered them from Egypt.

Deuteronomy 11:18-19

¹⁸ “So commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these words of mine. Tie them to your hands and wear them on your forehead as reminders. ¹⁹ Teach them to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up.

In fact, it was customary, & not uncommon, for children to have the entire 5 books of the Law memorized by the age of 12. They would memorize it in song format so that it became easier for them. But what was different about Jesus was His understanding of what the scripture really meant. He didn’t just know the letter of the Law, like most of the Rabbi’s did, He knew the Spirit of the Law. He didn’t just spend time memorizing the bible, He spent time in prayer & meditation to UNDERSTAND the whole counsel of what the Father was communicating & why. This caused others to be amazed at His answers.

Luke 2:45-47

⁴⁵ When they couldn’t find him, they went back to Jerusalem to search for him there. ⁴⁶ Three days later they finally discovered him in the Temple, sitting among the religious teachers, listening to them and asking questions. ⁴⁷ All who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers.

This brings me to my thought for the day:  “We must take notice of the fact that Jesus grew in wisdom, stature, & favor.”

I don’t know what you think about this, but I clearly see that Jesus was a grower. He knew that He needed to grow. I believe that this is God showing us what He really wants from all of His children. Let me ask you a question. Does anybody else think that a lot of Christians act like 12 year old? I mean that in a spiritual way. It seems to me that the norm in the Body of Christ is that not very many mature in the faith beyond what a 12 year old matures in the natural. This is troubling to me.

Let’s talk about the behavior & attitude of 12 year olds.

1.      They are very moody.

2.      They are emotionally unstable.

3.      They throw temper tantrums.

4.      They think that the world revolves around them.

5.      If they don’t get their way they pout & withdraw from the one who didn’t give them what they wanted.

6.      They seem to think that they don’t need to mature because they already know it all.

7.      They have a lot of information but lack the ability to know what to do with it.

This list is very easy for me to make. We have a couple kids in our family right now who are at that age. I am thinking of all kinds of stories that I could tell to support each of these characteristics, but I won’t. Sadly to say, as a pastor I could tell stories about adults in the kingdom of God who spiritually behave in many of the same ways.

God wants us to grow. He shows us this by teaching us that His Son even needed to grow. This speaks volumes to me. Let’s talk about some ways that we can promote growth in our lives.

1.      Read the bible.

This is a no brainer. We all know that God’s Word is seed. Seed brings about a harvest. A harvest is a sure indicator of growth. Those of you who have been keeping up with this blog know of the growth that occurs when we read the bible consistently. But let me add, it is not reading the bible alone that gets it done. We must spend time in prayer & meditation seeking the heart & mind of God on what we have read. This will increase the growth in our lives.

2.      Read other books written by Holy Spirit inspired men & women.

Many people use the EXCUSE that they don’t have time to read. Let me ask you a question. Do you have time to eat? Of course you do. You make time for what you feel is important. Reading books that have come from anointed men & women IS VERY IMPORTANT. God will share insight & revelation with people in His body. Take advantage of sharing in what He has given to others. This concept is much like sitting under an anointed preacher. Wisdom & revelation can be transferred.

3.      Listen to anointed preaching.

We live in a world of instant media. A person can go to ITunes & subscribe to some of the best preaching that is available today. Podcasts are such a great blessing to the body of Christ. There are those supernatural moments in churches all over the globe that come through the preaching of God’s Word. Those moments are recorded & offered to others around the globe so they can be blessed by them as well. Only a FOOL, or a 12 year old, would neglect taking advantage of this opportunity.

These last 2 things that I have mentioned greatly shaped my life. I read & I listen to podcasts. I want to give you a few recommendations for podcast listening.

·        Keith More—Faith Life Church

·        Jentzen Franklin

·        Steve Hill—Steve Hill Ministries

4.      Serve in the kingdom & your local church.

I also want to strongly encourage you to serve. You only grow when you pour out what has been given. Never fail to realize this. People who are growing are people who are going. I have seen an observation in my life; as people stop serving in the local church, THEY STOP GROWING. I’m sure you have heard this saying:  “You only keep what you have by giving it away.” This is very true.

I hope that you will take you own personal growth serious, In every major profession on the planet they REQUIRE ongoing training.  This is because they know that if we aren’t growing we are dying. Choose life & choose growth.

Pastor Richard Schlotter