Strength, Wisdom, and Grace

December 21

(Luke 2:40 NIV) "And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon him."

(John 1:14-18 NIV) "The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. {15} John testifies concerning him. He cries out, saying, "This was he of whom I said, 'He who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.'" {16} From the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing after another. {17} For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. {18} No one has ever seen God, but God the One and Only, who is at the Father's side, has made him known."

(Ephesians 2:4-5 NIV) "But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, {5} made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions--it is by grace you have been saved."

As the years went by, the baby Jesus grew in strength, wisdom, and grace, and became a man of God. He grew stronger in body and spirit, as should we. He was also filled with the wisdom of God. Being filled with wisdom is not a passive exercise. One could say, “He filled Himself with the wisdom of God.” Jesus spent time alone with His Father in prayer, and in God’s word. This is how wisdom accumulates, and it’s something we can still do. Are you filling yourself with God’s wisdom? Christ was also covered with the grace of God. John declares that Jesus was full of grace and truth, a potent combination. Grace flows out of God’s love. His mercies are never failing. Merry Christmas! Are you covered with God’s grace? Grace is what saves us, and grace is what should fill us to the point of overflowing. In this coming year, will you commit to growing in strength, wisdom, and grace? -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day