July 24, 2020
FROM YOUR PASTOR’S DESK:
JESUS’ CHILDHOOD: THE ONLY PERFECT EXAMPLE OF CHRISTIAN CHILDREN
“And the child grew, and waxed in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the GRACE of God was upon Him.” “And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.”
Luke 2:40,52, A.V.
“The childhood and youth of Jesus were spent in a little mountain village [not in a palace, castle or gated community]. There was not a place on earth that would not have been HONORED by His presence. The palaces of kings would have been privileged in receiving Him as a Guest. But He PASSED BY the homes of wealth, the courts of royalty, and renowned seats of learning, to make His home in obscure and despised Nazareth.”
“Wonderful in its significance is the BRIEF record of His early life [Luke 2:40 quoted]. In the sunlight of His Father’s countenance, Jesus increased with wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man….”
“Every child may gain knowledge as Jesus did. As we try to become acquainted with our Heavenly Father THROUGH HIS WORD, angels will draw near, our minds will be strengthened, our characters will be elevated and become more refined. . . .”
“The life of Jesus was a life in harmony with God. While He was a child, He ‘thought and spake as a child;’ but no trace of sin marred the image of God within Him. Yet He was NOT EXEMPT from temptation. The inhabitants of Nazareth were proverbial for their WICKEDNESS. The low estimate in which they were generally held is shown by Nathanael’s question, ‘Can any good thing come out of Nazareth?’ John 1:46. Jesus was placed where His character would be TESTED. It was necessary for Him to be constantly on guard in order to PRESERVE His purity.”
“He was subject to ALL the conflicts which WE have to meet, that He might be an EXAMPLE to us in CHILDHOOD, YOUTH, and MANHOOD.”
“Jesus shunned DISPLAY. During all the years of His stay in Nazareth [30 years], He made no exhibition of His miraculous power. He sought no high position and assumed no titles. His quiet and simple life, and EVEN THE SILENCE OF THE SCRIPTURES concerning His early years, teach an important lesson.” What Lesson?
“The more quiet and simple the life of child, the more free from artificial excitement, and the more in harmony with nature, the more favorable it is to physical and mental vigor and to spiritual strength.”
“Jesus is our example. There are many who dwell with interest upon the period of His PUBLIC MINISTRY, while they PASS UNNOTICED the teaching of His early years. But it is in His HOME LIFE that He is the Pattern for all children and youth.” Desire of Ages, pp. 68, 70, 71, 74.
The admonition, “Train up a child in the way that he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it,” is for the parents, not the children. Let all remember: “what we sow, we shall reap.” God bless all as we prepare to meet the Sabbath. NMF