The Child Who Grew to Be Our Savior

 

Introduction

Reflect on the impact of The Child Who Grew to Be Our Savior, highlighting the growth and wisdom of Jesus as foretold in Scripture.  Christmas invites us to linger at the manger, to marvel at the wonder of God made flesh. Yet Scripture gently urges us not to stop there. The Child in the cradle did not remain an infant. He grew, learned, obeyed, suffered, and ultimately reigned. Luke’s Gospel gives us rare glimpses into the hidden years of Jesus’ life, reminding us that the eternal Son truly entered our human story. From the manger to the cross to the crown, God’s redemptive plan unfolded with purpose, humility, and glory.

Luke 2:39–40 tells us that after fulfilling the Law, Mary and Joseph returned to Nazareth, “and the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom. And the favor of God was upon Him.” Later, Luke adds, “Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man” (Luke 2:52). These verses anchor our faith in a profound truth: our Savior fully embraced the human journey, growing step by step toward the mission He was sent to accomplish.

“Humility is the hallmark of the Christian life, and nowhere is it more beautifully displayed than in the life of Christ.” — A.W. Tozer

Scripture Reading

Luke 2:39–40, 52 (ESV)
“And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom. And the favor of God was upon Him… And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man.”

Philippians 2:5–11 (ESV)
“Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though He was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself… He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.”

Reflection: From Manger to Cross to Crown

The wonder of Christmas deepens when we remember that the baby in Bethlehem came with a destination in mind. Jesus did not grow merely to be a good teacher or moral example. He grew in wisdom and obedience so that, at the appointed time, He could offer Himself as the perfect sacrifice for sin. Every quiet year in Nazareth, every act of obedience to His earthly parents, and every moment of unseen faithfulness prepared Him for the cross.

Philippians 2 lifts the veil on what Luke records in narrative form. The growth of Jesus was not accidental; it was the outworking of divine humility. Though fully God, He chose the path of self-emptying love. The manger points forward to the cross, where humility reaches its deepest expression. Yet the cross is not the end of the story. God highly exalted Him, bestowing on Him the name above every name.

This journey—from cradle to crown—assures us that God’s plan is never rushed and never wasted. Just as Jesus grew patiently into His calling, we too are formed over time. Seasons of obscurity, learning, and waiting are not signs of delay but of preparation. Our Savior understands growth because He lived it.

Life Application

• Trust God’s timing in your spiritual growth and calling.
• Embrace humility as a pathway to Christlike maturity.
• Fix your hope not only on the manger, but on the risen and reigning King.

Closing Prayer

Lord, thank You for sending Jesus, who grew in wisdom and obedience to redeem us. Teach us to walk in His humility, to trust Your purposes in every season, and to live for Your glory as we await the day when every knee bows before Him. Amen.

Closing Song

Acknowledgments

We thank:

Pixabay for free, high-quality artwork. (https://pixabay.com)
AZ Quotes for inspirational quotations. (https://www.azquotes.com)
YouTube Gospel Music for timeless worship songs. (https://www.youtube.com)
We recommend GotQuestions.org for further Bible study. (https://www.gotquestions.org)

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