Jesus Stayed with Joseph and Mary for 18 More Years

And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart. And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man. Luke 2:51-52

Steps: 1, 2, 3, 11, 12

Jesus was aware of Who He was and yet He chose to stay with Joseph and Mary and stayed under their direction while He developed and matured as a man. Jesus recognized prophetically that His time had not yet come. He stayed out of sight in Nazareth until the time was full and He knew that His Father would make it abundantly clear when His time had come. Yet all of the time in Nazareth He continued to increase in wisdom, and in size, and He was increased in the respect of God and man. He was becoming a man and when His time to step on the scene would come He would be fully developed and fully ready to do the will of His Father in heaven. Jesus trusted in the care of His Father in heaven.

Prayer for Today: We thank You again Father that we can see glimpses of how One totally surrendered to You waited upon You to care for Him and to guide Him day by day – one day at a time. Help us to develop that same level of trust in You so that we don’t go out and force something that is not yet ready. Help us to learn to trust You like Jesus did. Help us to believe that You have a plan for us just like You had a plan for Him. Help us to have a spiritual awakening like He did, and to cooperate with You like He did as well. Thank You for Your love and patience.