I’ve been reading “favor” for so many years in the ESV that when I encounter “grace” in the CSB this morning it kind of stops me in my tracks. After all, what did Jesus need grace for?

When [Jesus’ father and mother] had completed everything according to the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. The boy grew up and became strong, filled with wisdom, and God’s grace was on Him.

(Luke 2:39-40 CSB)

That God’s “favor” would be with the boy Jesus as He grew up resonates. After all, thus says the LORD, “This is My beloved Son in whom I am well pleased” (Mt. 3:17). Of course God the Father’s favor was upon the Son. But His grace? What’s that about? What need did Jesus have for grace?

He had no need for unmerited favor shown to sinners. The boy Jesus was Immanuel, God with Us, God incarnate, God fully God. While fully human, still without sin. Thus, having no need for mercy (not receiving what you deserve for sin), nor for grace, receiving what you do not deserve, as He deserved it all. He had no need for the righteousness of Christ to be credited to His account. He owned the account! So, why was God’s grace on Him?

Simply a reference to the fact that He grew up loved of the Father and blessed by Him? For sure. Whatever the young Jesus’ formative years were, they were formed under the watchful eye of the Father and the ever-present care of the Spirit. So, in that sense, God’s grace was on Him.

But could this also be a reminder of the “need’ Jesus allowed Himself to experience by becoming human? Having emptied Himself by taking on the likeness of humanity (Php. 2:7); determined to apprentice as a mediator able to sympathize with our weaknesses as He was tempted in every way as we are, yet with out sin (Heb. 4:15); did Jesus grow up, becoming strong, because He too experienced the divine grace sufficient for all human frailty?

But [the Lord] said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness.” . . . For when I am weak, then I am strong.

(2Corinthians 12:9, 10b CSB)

Jesus, God Himself who needs nothing for He is all in all, “needed” grace as He took on flesh and submitted Himself to becoming man, fully man. He had no need for unmerited favor for sin, but in all ways as we do required all-sufficient grace to walk fully in the human condition. Chew on that for a bit.

Oh, the humility adopted by the One who created everything in heaven and on earth — the One who is before all things and by Him all things hold together (Col. 1:16-17) — that He should know too what it is to be a receiver of God’s grace.

Therefore, He had to be like His brothers and sisters in every way, so that He could become a merciful and faithful high priest in matters pertaining to God, to make atonement for the sins of the people. For since He Himself has suffered when He was tempted, He is able to help those who are tempted.

(Hebrews 2:17-18 CSB)

Like us in every way. Even needing to know God’s grace was on Him.

Growing up by God’s grace. Becoming strong for God’s glory.

Hallelujah! What a Savior!

Amen?