And Jesus grew . . .
Ray and I and our team member Donna enjoyed this past Wednesday evening through Saturday evening with homeschool leaders from Hawaii, the Philippines, and Canada and from Oregon to California to Massachusetts to Florida in the lower 48, while attending the Home School Legal Defense Association National Leaders Conference. Be encouraged. Those leaders are praying, worshiping, serving people who work diligently to preserve homeschooling freedom and to encourage and defend homeschool families. Ray, Donna, and I considered it a great privilege to spend time among them.
One of the speakers reminded us of Jesus growing in favor with God and man.
And Jesus kept increasing in wisdom and stature,
and in favor with God and men.
Luke 2:52
It occurred to me, perhaps for the first time, how closely this ties in with the two greatest commandments.
One of them, a lawyer, asked Him a question, testing Him,
“Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?”
And He said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God
with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’
This is the great and foremost commandment.
The second is like it,
‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’
On these two commandments
depend the whole Law and the Prophets.”
Matthew 22:35-40
Jesus grew up obeying the two greatest commandments that He taught us to obey. He grew in the exact way that we parents want our children to grow: in wisdom, in stature, and in favor with God and man.
- We don’t want our children to learn knowledge only, but also the wisdom to use that knowledge to serve God and others.
- We care deeply about our children’s growth in stature. We work hard to care for their health, praying that they will have long lives of service to God and others.
- We pray earnestly that they will seek God’s favor.
- Why would homeschooling families be concerned about socialization, if not for the desire that other people enjoy our children?
While teaching his son the most important things, Solomon made the appeal below. I’m sure that you feel the same way Solomon felt. So do I. I am grateful that today you are giving your children teachings you want them never to forget.
My son, do not forget my teaching,
But let your heart keep my commandments;
For length of days and years of life
And peace they will add to you.
Do not let kindness and truth leave you;
Bind them around your neck,
Write them on the tablet of your heart.
So you will find favor and good repute
In the sight of God and man.
Proverbs 3:1-4