Since Jesus Christ is the Word of God, it is helpful to explain how we can grow in the maturity of the Word of God. For this purpose, the different times of maturity of Christ, the Word of God should serve us when he lived on earth in flesh and blood (cf. John 1:1-4.14 i.c.w. Revelation 19:13).
John 1:1-4.14:
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
2 He was with God in the beginning.
3 Through him (Note: Jesus Christ) all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.
4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. …
14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
2 He was with God in the beginning.
3 Through him (Note: Jesus Christ) all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.
4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. …
14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
Revelation 19:13:
13 He (Note: Jesus Christ) is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God.
13 He (Note: Jesus Christ) is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God.
The Different Ages of Jesus and the Mystery of the Gospel
Based on the different ages of Jesus Christ as the Word of God, there is a spectrum of principles to be observed.
We can see from the Word of God that Jesus Christ, as an infant of eight days, was brought by His parents to be circumcised in the temple according to the ordinance of the Torah, as well as publicly called by name (cf. Luke 2:21-24.39-40).
Luke 2:21-24.39-40:
21 On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise the child, he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he was conceived.
22 When the time came for the purification rites required by the Law of Moses, Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord 23 (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, ‘Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord’), 24 and to offer a sacrifice in keeping with what is said in the Law of the Lord: ‘a pair of doves or two young pigeons’. …
39 When Joseph and Mary had done everything required by the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee to their own town of Nazareth.
40 And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was on him.
21 On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise the child, he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he was conceived.
22 When the time came for the purification rites required by the Law of Moses, Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord 23 (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, ‘Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord’), 24 and to offer a sacrifice in keeping with what is said in the Law of the Lord: ‘a pair of doves or two young pigeons’. …
39 When Joseph and Mary had done everything required by the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee to their own town of Nazareth.
40 And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was on him.
The period before the circumcision could be called a phase of the mystery of the Gospel because Jesus was not publicly given His name until the eighth day after the circumcision, as communicated by the angel Gabriel on God’s behalf to Mary (cf. Luke 1:30-31).
Luke 1:30-31:
30 But the angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favour with God.
31 You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus.
30 But the angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favour with God.
31 You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus.
The realm of the mystery of the Gospel relates to a spiritual battle, just as the apostle Paul said, speaking about being bound as well as the spiritual warfare he had to fight for the sake of the mystery of the Gospel (cf. Ephesians 6:18-20 i.c.w. Colossians 4:3-4).
Ephesians 6:18-20:
18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.
19 Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.
18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.
19 Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.
Colossians 4:3-4:
3 And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains.
4 Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should.
3 And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains.
4 Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should.
Since, according to the Word of God, the angels, are assigned to the little ones and see the face of the Father every day, and since Jesus also pointed out the importance of the children being allowed to draw near to His presence, it shows that this is a higher spiritual level (cf. Matthew 18:10-11 i.c.w. Matthew 19:14).
Matthew 18:10-11:
10-11 ‘See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven.
10-11 ‘See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven.
Matthew 19:14:
14 Jesus said, ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.’
14 Jesus said, ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.’
Moreover, it is said that God has prepared for Himself praise from the mouths of children and infants (cf. Psalm 8:2 i.c.w. Matthew 21:16b).
Psalm 8:2:
2 Through the praise of children and infants you have established a stronghold against your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger.
2 Through the praise of children and infants you have established a stronghold against your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger.
Matthew 21:16b:
… 16b ‘Yes,’ replied Jesus, ‘have you never read, ‘ “From the lips of children and infants you, Lord, have called forth your praise”?’
… 16b ‘Yes,’ replied Jesus, ‘have you never read, ‘ “From the lips of children and infants you, Lord, have called forth your praise”?’
Jesus’ young age of eight days reveals to us the importance of obedience, because at that time He was under the authority of Joseph and Mary, who respected the Word of God and its instructions in order to assist in the fulfilment of the Torah in Jesus’ life.
The Maturation of Truth and the Childlike Communication of the Word of God
It is said that Jesus, from His infancy, matured, became strong, was full of wisdom, and grace accompanied Him (cf. Luke 2:40).
Luke 2:40:
40 And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was on him.
40 And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was on him.
It is important that we pay attention to the childlike communication of the Word of God, because in it we get to a higher spiritual level through our childlike faith to see the things that the LORD reveals (cf. Matthew 18:3).
Matthew 18:3:
3 And he said: ‘Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. …’
3 And he said: ‘Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. …’
Related to this is the nourishment of the Word of God in the form of pure milk, which springs from the nature of God in the facet of ‘El-Shaddai, the Almighty’ (cf. 1 Peter 2:2).
1 Peter 2:2:
2 Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, …
2 Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, …
=> The dimension of ‘El-Shaddai’ relates to the character of the Provider. This name is associated with fruitfulness, the first part of His name representing the abundance of His abundance. The second part reveals His person, His will, and His provision for His people.
The name ‘Shaddai’ is derived from a Hebrew word meaning ‘mother’s breast’.
Applied to God, it has the meaning, ‘He is the One who cherishes.’ This leads to the conclusion of speaking of God’s motherly love.
Applied to God, it has the meaning, ‘He is the One who cherishes.’ This leads to the conclusion of speaking of God’s motherly love.
‘El Shaddai’ is the most used name, expressing God’s relationship with His children. The mother is everything and enough for the infant. He nestles at her breast, knows himself safe there and is provided for. There he receives everything he needs. The name ‘El Shaddai’ is a vivid image of God’s caring and protecting love.
The presence of ‘El Shaddai’ behaves similarly to a cow, which has several teats on her udder and thus can feed several of her calves with milk at the same time. <=
(Note: The word explanation put in ‘=>’ to the name ‘El Shaddai’ is partly taken from the book ‘Names of the Eternal’ by Dr. Abraham Meister, word number: 112, page 141-145).
(Note: The word explanation put in ‘=>’ to the name ‘El Shaddai’ is partly taken from the book ‘Names of the Eternal’ by Dr. Abraham Meister, word number: 112, page 141-145).
To attain the pure milk, spiritual closeness to God in the facet of ‘El Shaddai’ is required.
Since God is Spirit (cf. John 4:24a), it is necessary that we approach the LORD in full confidence as His children or sons and encounter His inner being. This results in that we internalize the truth available to us from Him and gain substance in it.
Obedience and the Circumcision of the Heart
Occasionally it happens that the Lord demands from us a step of obedience, even if we don’t always understand it. It may even involve a painful learning process that helps us to a greater and clearer spiritual vision.
Such a learning process is tantamount to circumcision of the heart, which is designed to help us, with the eyes of our heart enlightened by the power of wisdom and revelation, to see our calling in Christ Jesus more clearly (cf. Deuteronomy. 30:6 i.c.w. Colossians 2:11; Ephesians 1:17-18).
Deuteronomy 30:6:
6 The Lord your God will circumcise your hearts and the hearts of your descendants, so that you may love him with all your heart and with all your soul, and live.
6 The Lord your God will circumcise your hearts and the hearts of your descendants, so that you may love him with all your heart and with all your soul, and live.
Colossians 2:11:
11 In him you were also circumcised with a circumcision not performed by human hands. Your whole self ruled by the flesh was put off when you were circumcised by Christ, …
11 In him you were also circumcised with a circumcision not performed by human hands. Your whole self ruled by the flesh was put off when you were circumcised by Christ, …
Ephesians 1:17-18:
17 I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.
18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, …
17 I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.
18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, …
When we, as God’s people, submit through obedience to the mighty hand of God, we mature in strength and wisdom, so that His grace brings us into deeper maturity (cf. 1 Peter 5:6).
1 Peter 5:6:
6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.
6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.
This is related to the meaning of His times, which is based on His sacrifice, that is, His love, which He has for us as Father, so that in the sonship of Christ we abide in the presence of the Father.
The Twelve-Year-Old Jesus
This becomes clear with the help of Jesus, the Word of God at the age of twelve, who at Passover representing the expression of God’s love (cf. Exodus 12:1ff. i.c.w. John 3:16; 1 Corinthians 5:7) went up to Jerusalem together with His parents and family members and dwelt in the presence of the Heavenly Father. Meanwhile, His earthly parents were already leaving Jerusalem with the family, which may represent a traditional heart attitude at this point.
In a spiritual context, they were already a day’s journey away from Jerusalem, they began to look for Jesus, the Word of God, without finding Him. Because of this, they returned to Jerusalem and searched for ‘the truth of the Word of God’ for another three days. Finally, Joseph and Mary found Jesus, the Word of God in the temple. There they got introduced by Jesus to the truth about the temple, which was the Father’s house (cf. Luke 2:41-50).
Luke 2:41-50:
41 Every year Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem for the Festival of the Passover.
42 When he was twelve years old, they went up to the festival, according to the custom.
43 After the festival was over, while his parents were returning home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but they were unaware of it.
44 Thinking he was in their company, they travelled on for a day. Then they began looking for him among their relatives and friends.
45 When they did not find him, they went back to Jerusalem to look for him.
46 After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions.
47 Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers.
48 When his parents saw him, they were astonished. His mother said to him, ‘Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you.’
49 ‘Why were you searching for me?’ he asked. ‘Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?’
50 But they did not understand what he was saying to them.
41 Every year Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem for the Festival of the Passover.
42 When he was twelve years old, they went up to the festival, according to the custom.
43 After the festival was over, while his parents were returning home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but they were unaware of it.
44 Thinking he was in their company, they travelled on for a day. Then they began looking for him among their relatives and friends.
45 When they did not find him, they went back to Jerusalem to look for him.
46 After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions.
47 Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers.
48 When his parents saw him, they were astonished. His mother said to him, ‘Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you.’
49 ‘Why were you searching for me?’ he asked. ‘Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?’
50 But they did not understand what he was saying to them.
True Relationship versus Tradition
Based on the search for the twelve-year-old Jesus, it becomes clear that God, the Heavenly Father, is not after our actions out of tradition or a religious attitude in relation to His times and feast times. He is only interested in our hearts being filled with the knowledge of His love for us in giving His Son represented by the lamb at Passover (cf. John 3:16 i.c.w. 1 Corinthians 5:7).
John 3:16:
16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
1 Corinthians 5:7:
7 Get rid of the old yeast, so that you may be a new unleavened batch – as you really are. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed.
7 Get rid of the old yeast, so that you may be a new unleavened batch – as you really are. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed.
As we walk through the biblical times from the redemptive work of Jesus, His power of grace is present, leading us into deeper spiritual realms about the knowledge of our position in the Heavenly Father.
If we come to a time in our faith life where we have a sense that the Lord is not present with His presence, it may be an indication that the Holy Spirit wants to lead us into a greater truth in Christ Jesus that we need at this time for the time to come.
This requires that we should not cling narrowly to our experiences but be willing to have our minds and spirits renewed by the Holy Spirit as well as be led by Him to the place where the Word of God speaks to us (cf. Ephesians 4:23-24).
Ephesians 4:23-24:
… 23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.
… 23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.
It is always advisable to examine ourselves to see if we have submitted ourselves to the mighty hand of God by respecting the saints in our life whom the LORD has superiorly assigned to us by grace for a season. Then we increase in wisdom, maturity, and grace with God and with men, so that at the appointed time we can stand and act in the anointing assigned by the Heavenly Father with the spiritual maturity we have already grown in the truth of God’s Word (cf. Luke 2:51-52 i.c.w. Luke 3:23a).
Luke 2:51-52
51 Then he went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. But his mother treasured all these things in her heart.
52 And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.
51 Then he went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. But his mother treasured all these things in her heart.
52 And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.
Luke 3:23a:
23a Now Jesus himself was about thirty years old when he began his ministry. …
23a Now Jesus himself was about thirty years old when he began his ministry. …
The Youth of Jesus and the Principle of the Maturity of the Word of God
Since we cannot glean much about the youth of Jesus from the Word of God, a phase of the mystery of the gospel can be discerned in this as well. It is a phase that doesn’t contain youthful rebellion, lust, focus on desire, etc. but a purity of heart and perfect submission to the will of the Heavenly Father, to know and do His will alone (cf. John 5:19).
John 5:19:
19 Jesus gave them this answer: ‘Very truly I tell you, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does. …’
19 Jesus gave them this answer: ‘Very truly I tell you, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does. …’
The prophet Daniel also understood this principle of the maturity of the Word of God and studied in it while in captivity in Babylon. He studied the scroll of Jeremiah and paid attention to the statement made by God to Jeremiah in the past, which had already matured for some time. As Daniel studied over the revelation of Jeremiah the prophet, he discerned the time of the freedom of the people of Israel and thus attained to revelatory truth (cf. Daniel 9:2).
Daniel 9:2:
… 2 in the first year of his reign, I, Daniel, understood from the Scriptures, according to the word of the Lord given to Jeremiah the prophet, that the desolation of Jerusalem would last seventy years.
… 2 in the first year of his reign, I, Daniel, understood from the Scriptures, according to the word of the Lord given to Jeremiah the prophet, that the desolation of Jerusalem would last seventy years.
Accordingly, we are wise to carry the words of God in our hearts like Mary until life is breathed in by the Spirit of God, which involves the release of truth at the right moment. Everything needs a corresponding maturity for the fulfillment of time, agreement and the purpose of God, which we recognize in the maturity development of Jesus as the Word of God to apply it to our personal life in Christ.
Amen and Amen.
In His Wisdom,
Daniel Glimm
