The Humanity of Jesus – the making of a Perfect Man
Introduction
- Jesus grew in wisdom, stature and favour with God and men
- Do you like special events?
- Our life is often routine/ordinary
- Jesus' life between 12-30 was spent in ordinary life
- (We know a lot about His Ministry between 30-33)
- Nazareth was not a special place
- The Humanity of Jesus - the making of the Man
- This is encouraging to us
- In our ordinary/routine lives, job, retirement or caring role - think of the Lord Jesus
Jesus grew physically
- v40 - strong & v52 - stature
- His growing body gave Him opportunity to use His body in ways to live for God
- Personal example of growth
- He has grown into a man
- He was learning the lessons of everyday life
- To read and write
- To be educated
- To learn languages
- To attend the Synagogue and Temple
- He had not attended 'University' or Rabbinical teaching
- But He learnt by listening and asking questions
- Do we as Christians ask questions?
Jesus grew in wisdom and character
- What was His character?
- Quote from James regarding wisdom
- Jesus was pure
- Jesus was peace loving
- Jesus was considerate
- Jesus was submissive
- Jesus was full of mercy
- Jesus was impartial
- Jesus was sincere
- Jesus had all these in growing measure
- Jesus was about His Father's business/things
- Explanation of this
- Quote
- Do we have a compulsion to be about the Father's business?
- Jesus returned to Nazareth and His role as carpenter
- He knew the ups and downs of a working life
- Yet He was still about His Father's business
- He is honouring His parents
- He was caring for His family
- Did Joseph die?
- He was caring for His mother
- Often the everyday things that we think little of are significant
Jesus grew in favour with God and men
- There were people who criticised Him
- Quote from Proverbs
- In favour with men and then in favour with God
- God's hand/blessing was upon Him
- We need the blessing of God upon our lives
Conclusion - The Humanity of Jesus
- It helps us to understand the Father's declaration of Jesus at His Baptism - "I am well pleased with You"
- Explanation
- It helps us to understand who it was on the cross
- Explanation
- His righteousness is counted as ours when we trust in Him
- Explanation
- It means we have a sympathetic high priest
- Explanation
Concluding Remarks