My Father's Son: Divine Favor

There is a curious statement at the end of Luke 2, right after the boy Jesus frightened his parents by staying in Jerusalem without their knowledge. Verses 51-52 state, "Then (Jesus) went down to Nazareth with (his parents) and was obedient to them. But his mother treasured all these things in her heart. Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men." The phrase is easy to glance over in light of the story of a 12 year old Jesus at the temple, but it says that he grew in favor with God. The question that comes to mind is why Jesus needed to grow in favor with God. We can understand his need to grow in favor with people because he was merely the supposed son of a carpenter. But didn't Jesus already have complete favor in the eyes of his Heavenly Father? The answer may lie in Paul's "Christ Hymn" passage in Philippians 2.

Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death— even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Although we acknowledge that Jesus is both fully God and fully human, Paul teaches that Jesus emptied himself while on earth. He voluntarily humbled himself by becoming human, even a servant, and being obedient to death, even death on a cross. Therefore, Jesus had the potential to grow in the favor of God because he gave up his favored status by becoming a man.

This is an amazing idea to grasp because of its implications. If Jesus humbled himself to the level of humanity, then his relationship with God as a man is our model for how we are to grow in the favor of God. Jesus did everything as a man and not as God. If this is true, then how was he able to perform the many miracles and wonders during his ministry? The Bible teaches it is through the power of the Holy Spirit (cf. Luke 4:14). The disciples were also able to heal and cast out demons because they were given the gift of the Holy Spirit. All believers have this same Spirit living in them (cf. Romans 8:11) and Jesus said his followers will do even greater works than him (John 14:12-14). Is it possible that as we grow in favor with God, our Heavenly Father is pleased to demonstrate His power in us through the Holy Spirit? Can we afford not to live a supernatural life in our call to advance the kingdom of God?