Even as a child Jesus had astonishing wisdom: ‘And all who heard him were astonished and overwhelmed with bewildered wonder at his intelligence and understanding and his replies’ (v.47, AMP). As someone has said, ‘Knowledge is knowing that a  tomato is a fruit. Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.

Intimacy with the Father leads to growth in wisdom.   After Jesus’ parents find him in the temple courts he says to them, ‘Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?’ (v.49b). Or as The Message puts it, ‘Dealing with the things of my Father’ (v.49b, MSG). On the one hand, Jesus’ relationship with his ‘Father’ was unique. On the other hand, he also enables you to call God ‘Father’. He prayed to God as ‘Abba’ (the Aramaic word used by children on intimate terms with their  father), and he taught his disciples to do the same (11:2).

Question: How do you best relate to God? Would you describe Him as a father?

Prayer: Lord, thank you that you give me your Holy Spirit to refine me, to give me peace, to assure me that I am a child of God, to know your love and to feel your pleasure. Help me to walk ‘in step with the Spirit’.