Healthy and Strong Kid

They entered the house and saw the child with his mother, Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasure chests and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. When it was time to leave, they returned to their own country by another route, for God had warned them in a dream not to return to Herod. After the wise men were gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. "Get up! Flee to Egypt with the child and his mother," the angel said. "Stay there until I tell you to return, because Herod is going to search for the child to kill him." That night Joseph left for Egypt with the child and Mary, his mother, and they stayed there until Herod's death. This fulfilled what the Lord had spoken through the prophet: "I called my Son out of Egypt." Matthew 2:11-15 

When Jesus' parents had fulfilled all the requirements of the law of the Lord, they returned home to Nazareth in Galilee. There the child grew up healthy and strong. He was filled with wisdom, and God's favor was on him. Luke 2:39-40

 

Meditate. Consider Jesus’ life as a baby and toddler.

 

How many people have Kings visit them? The kings from the east presented Jesus, Mary, and Joseph with terrific gifts that were useful to them while traveling and during their stay in Egypt.  How long did the family stay in Egypt? Until Herod died, which was likely about 1 BCE. Just when was Jesus born? That is still a debated detail. The difference could mean that the family was not in Egypt for a long time. At any rate, this fulfilled what the Lord had spoken through the prophet: "I called my Son out of Egypt" (Hosea 11:1). Usually, this verse is considered regarding the nation of Israel and their exodus from the slavery of Egypt. It can be easily used for either case…using son with small s for the nation of Israel or using Son with a large S for the Son of God. Consider the verse in context. It seems to me that God is addressing the nation of Israel. What do you think?

Did Mary not chat with Luke as he wrote that book of the Bible, so he didn’t know that they went to Egypt? It seems to me that it is an important part of the story, going to a safe place while Herod was killing the babies and young children in Bethlehem. It is covered by the text of Matthew 2. Luke mentions satisfying the law requirements. Did circumcision fulfill the Law? That was the focus of their trip from Bethlehem to Jerusalem. Although circumcision is not specifically mentioned in the Ten Commandments, it is a Jewish ritual that is specifically set with the Abrahamic covenant. What is the significance of this scripture passage? God provided safety, a home, and loving care for Jesus as He grew up healthy and strong, filled with wisdom and God’s favor. God was watching out for Him. He had a plan, and Jesus was being prepared for that even as a young child. What do you see as God’s plan for your life and that of your family? Are you growing up healthy, strong, and filled with God’s wisdom?                                                                                                                                                                

Prayer – Lord Jesus, may we follow in your footsteps and be graced with good health, strength, and wisdom. I praise You for Your obedience.

 

Verse of Salvation ~ You have been taught the holy Scriptures from childhood, and they have given you the wisdom to receive the salvation that comes by trusting in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work. 2 Timothy 3:15-17

 

© 2026 Text, photos, and illustrations by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved. 

All scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless otherwise noted. 

New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. 

Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Biblical search from Blue Letter Bible - http://v3.blueletterbible.org/search.cfm. 

 

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