It is easy for me to become hyper-focused on having God’s favor. Naturally, pursuing righteousness, wisdom, and understanding from God is a positive undertaking and should be considered primary and paramount. However, this passage gives insight into the reality that there is some merit in gaining favor with people. We do know that the reality of the life of Jesus did not always gain him favor with everyone, but having favor with people continues as a theme of Jesus life…the only problem with that setup is that Jesus had favor with those with whom the religious establishment had shunned. For us, this passage in Luke can be coupled with the Romans 12:18 passage that encourages us to do our part to live at peace or in favor with everyone. The kicker here for me is that in order to live in such a state, I must continue to grow in wisdom! I ask fervently for God to continue to soften my heart, humble my spirit, and increase my yielding to his wisdom, his instruction, and his purposes.
“And Jesus kept increasing in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and people.”
Luke 2:52