The Model of Jesus
Read Luke 2:52. What four dimensions of Jesus’ growth are men-
tioned in this passage?
Jesus was the perfect Human Being, and His growth comprised all
basic dimensions of human existence. According to Luke 2:52, “Jesus
grew in wisdom [mentally] and stature [physically], and in favor with
God [spiritually] and man [socially]” (NIV). “His mind was active and
penetrating, with a thoughtfulness and wisdom beyond His years. Yet,
His character was beautiful in its symmetry. The powers of mind and
body developed gradually, in keeping with the laws of childhood. As a
child, Jesus manifested a peculiar loveliness of disposition. His willing
hands were ever ready to serve others. He manifested a patience that
nothing could disturb, and a truthfulness that would never sacrifice
integrity. In principle firm as a rock, His life revealed the grace of
unselfish courtesy.”—Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages, pp. 68, 69.
Read Matthew 4:23. How can the threefold ministry of Jesus—to
teach, to preach, and to heal—be carried on by us effectively today?
If we recognize that a human being is an integrated and indivisible
person, then we cannot restrict our religion to spiritual matters only.
The truth actually embraces our whole being, covers our entire life span,
and comprises all dimensions of our life. Our physical and spiritual ele-
ments are so powerfully integrated that they really cannot be separated.
And though, as fallen beings, we will never be equal to the depiction of
Jesus as presented above, we are by God’s grace to emulate it because
“to restore in man the image of his Maker, to bring him back to the per-
fection in which he was created, to promote the development of body,
mind, and soul” (Ellen G. White, Education, pp. 15, 16) is the work of
redemption. This is what God seeks to do in His people as part of the
process to prepare them for His return.
In contrasting ourselves to Jesus, we could easily be discouraged
by the difference. How, then, does focusing on the Cross and what
it means protect us from being disheartened by what we see in
ourselves as compared to what we see in Jesus?
