I continue to pray that our children and grandchildren will grow both physically and spiritually.

I continue to pray that our children and grandchildren

will grow both physically and spiritually.

“As the child grew and became strong in spirit, and he lived in the wilderness until he appeared publicly to Israel” [(Modern Translation: “The child grew strong in body and mind, and lived in the desert until the time came for him to appear before the people of Israel”] (Luke 1:80). As I meditate on this passage, I would like to share the lessons given:

(1) Here the “child” (“baby”) refers to “John,” the son of the priest Zechariah and his wife Elizabeth (Lk 1:13). The statement that this “child” John “grew” (v. 80) tells us that he continued to grow physically (cf. Hoekma).

(a) This same word “grew” appears again in Luke 2:40: “The Child grew and became strong; He was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon Him” [(Modern Translation: “The child grew up healthy and strong. He was filled with wisdom, and God’s favor was on him.”]. Here the “child” refers to “the Child Jesus” (v. 27).

(i) Thus, Scripture tells us that both children, John and Jesus, were continually growing (developing) physically.

Just as these two children grew, I also pray that the grandchildren of our church members may continue to grow well physically.

(2) The “child” John not only continued to grow well physically (“grew strong,” 1:80, Modern Translation), but Scripture also says that he “became strong in spirit” (v. 80) [and of the “Child” Jesus it says “became strong” (2:40)].

(a) The Greek word here for “became strong” is ἐκραταιοῦτο, which is passive, meaning “to be made strong,” “to increase in strength,” or “to grow strong” (Internet).

(i) That is, God strengthened John’s “spirit,” which means that God caused John to grow not only physically but also spiritually.

The purpose was to make John fit for the office of preparing the way of the Lord. In this way, before entrusting him with the decisive mission of preparing the Lord’s way, God made him strong both physically and spiritually (Hoekma).

(b) When I meditate on this passage, I think of our beloved daughter, Yeri. I also remember the word of promise God gave when Yeri was going through much hardship and God heard my “petition” (cf. 1:13)—1 Peter 5:10: “And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.”

(i) The faithful Lord, after giving us this word of promise, has indeed been at work in Yeri’s heart and life. Especially during her two years of mission work in Japan, He strengthened her, made her firm, and deepened her faith. My wife and I continue to see this with eyes of faith.

My prayer is that Yeri will continue to grow spiritually so that her spirit may become even stronger, and at the same time my desire is that she may remain healthy physically. (This same prayer also applies to our beloved first son Dylan and his wife Jessica, as well as our youngest daughter, Yeeun.)

(3) Scripture also says that this “child” John “lived in the wilderness until the day he appeared publicly to Israel” [(Modern Translation: “He lived in the desert until the time came for him to appear before the people of Israel”] (Lk 1:80). Here, “wilderness” (ἐρήμοις in Greek) originally means an uncultivated and uninhabited place, or a desolate (deserted) area; figuratively, it refers to a barren and lonely place that at the same time provides needed quiet (freedom from disturbance) (Internet).

(a) Interestingly, in Scripture the “wilderness” is, paradoxically, the place where God richly grants His presence and provision to those who seek Him. The infinite Lord shows Himself strong in the “limiting” (difficult) wilderness experiences of life (Internet).

(i) A good example is the wilderness during the Exodus. As the Israelites journeyed toward the promised land of Canaan for forty years, God repeatedly revealed Himself in mighty ways. One such event was when He gave manna from heaven to feed the multitudes of Israel. The purpose was to show that man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God (Deut. 8:2–3) (cf. Internet).

Therefore, we must intentionally enter the “wilderness.” We must place ourselves in the wilderness, remain in the holy presence of God, bow before Him, and listen to His gracious voice. There is no place like the wilderness to learn that “man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord” (Deut. 8:3).
Thus, we must be able to rejoice in the life of the wilderness. In such rejoicing, our souls live and are revived. There we must experience the overflowing rivers of living water from Jesus, our Rock (Jn 7:38). In the wilderness we must be filled with the Holy Spirit.

(b) John lived in the wilderness until he appeared before the people of Israel proclaiming, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near,” preparing “the way of the Lord” (Mt 3:1–3; Lk 1:80, Modern Translation). Perhaps, like many of God’s servants in the Old Testament who prepared for God’s work in the wilderness (Moses, Elijah, etc.), John also prepared for his ministry in the wilderness (cf. Hoekma).

(i) We too must prepare for God’s work in the wilderness. To do this, we must go into the wilderness ourselves and deeply realize: “I am nothing, and the Lord is everything.”

As those called by God, we are His co-workers (1 Cor. 3:9). We are ministers entrusted with leading others to faith in Jesus Christ (v. 5). Each of us may plant or water (v. 6), but it is God who, in His will, in His time, and in His way, gives the growth (vv. 6–7).

(c) In the end, John, who prepared for God’s work in the wilderness, became “the voice of one crying out in the wilderness” (Mt 3:3).

(i) Likewise, we too, as those sent by God, are called to be a voice crying in the wilderness of this world, preparing the way for the Lord’s return. Therefore, we must testify about Jesus, the Light of the world, and lead people through our witness to believe in Him (Jn 1:6, 7, 23, Modern Translation).

I want to be a voice crying in the wilderness like John the Baptist (Mt 3:3). I want to proclaim in the wilderness as John did, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near” (v. 2). I pray for the work of repentance and the work of salvation, that people may come from all around, confess their sins, and be baptized in the Jordan by him (vv. 5–6). I want to prepare the way of the Lord (v. 3). I want to make straight His paths (v. 3). As one who prays for, longs for, and waits for the Lord’s return, I want to be a voice proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ in this wilderness-like world. I pray for the work of repentance and salvation to take place.