Jesus engaged in the highest type of exercise, useful exercise, which alone can impart true physical strength and develop fully the faculties. This trained Him to bear His share of life’s burdens; it was a benefit to Him and a blessing to others (DA 72).

 Gr. sophia, “broad and full intelligence”; that is, mental excellence in its highest and fullest sense (see on ch. 1:17). Sophia includes not only knowledge but the ability and judgment to apply that knowledge to the circumstances and situations of life. It is important to a proper understanding of how Christ met the problems of life to recognize that He was not born, or supernaturally endowed, with knowledge, understanding, and wisdom-He “increased,” or “grew,” in wisdom. “Every child may gain knowledge as Jesus did” (DA 70).

 Jesus‘ childhood and youth were years of harmonious development of His physical, mental, and spiritual powers (see Ed 13). The goal toward which He aspired was to reflect perfectly the character of His Father in heaven. Here was perfect humanity, restored to the image of God. Thirty years of constant preparation preceded a brief ministry of 3 1/2 years. The statement of v. 40 refers particularly to the childhood of Jesus, and that of v. 52 primarily to His youth and young manhood. Similar statements are made concerning the youth of Samuel (1 Sam. 2:26) and that of John the Baptist (Luke 1:80).

 The superstitious legends regarding the childhood and youth of Jesus which are recorded in the apocryphal gospels of the early Christian centuries, stand forth in strange contrast with the simple dignity, beauty, and compelling power of the Bible narrative. For illustrations of these legendary accounts, see the apocryphal work, 1 Infancy 7:1-35; 13:1-13; 15:1-7; 16:1-16; 18:1-19. Jesus apparently performed no miracles prior to the time He took up His public ministry (cf. DA 72, 74, 92).

 From the first dawning of intelligence Jesus was constantly growing in spiritual grace and in a knowledge of the truth. He grew in moral strength and understanding through hours spent alone in nature—particularly those of the early morning—meditating, searching the Scriptures, and seeking His Father in prayer (see DA 90). In Nazareth, proverbial for its wickedness even in that perverse generation, He was ever exposed to temptation and had to be constantly on guard to preserve His purity of character (DA 71, 116).

 At the close of His years of preparation for service the Father testified of Him, “Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased” (ch. 3:22). He was a living example of what it means to be “perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect” (Matt. 5:48; DA 72).

 For further comment on how Jesus met and triumphed over temptation see on Matt. 4:1-11; 26:38-41; Luke 2:40; Heb. 2:17; EGW Supplementary Material, on Luke 2:40.

 In personality, Jesus was known for a singular loveliness of disposition (DA 68, 254), a patience that nothing could disturb (DA 68, 69), the grace of unselfish courtesy (DA 69), cheerfulness and tact (DA 73, 87), sympathy and tenderness (DA 74), youthful modesty and grace (DA 80). From childhood, His one purpose in life was to bless others (DA 70, 90, 92), and His willing hands were ever ready to serve them (DA 86). He performed faithfully the duties of a son, brother, friend, and citizen (DA 72, 82).

 The perfect character development of Jesus from infancy to manhood, without sin, is, perhaps, the most amazing fact of His entire life. It staggers the imagination. And in view of the assurances that He enjoyed no opportunities that God is unwilling to provide for our children (DA 70), we may profitably inquire, “How can these things be?” (cf. John 3:9).

 In the first place, “Jesus accepted humanity when the race had been weakened by four thousand years of sin. Like every child of Adam He accepted the results of the working of the great law of heredity” (DA 49). He was permitted “to meet life’s peril in common with every human soul, to fight the battle as every child of humanity must fight it, at the risk of failure and eternal loss” (DA 49). In the second place, the child Jesus was not supernaturally endowed with wisdom above that of other normal children. He thought, spoke, and acted with the wisdom of a child (DA 70, 71; COL 83). “But at each stage of His development He was perfect, with the simple, natural grace of a sinless life” (COL 83). In the third place, the environment in which Jesus grew up—the proverbial wickedness of Nazareth—subjected Him “to all the conflicts which we have to meet” (DA 71; cf. 116), yet even in childhood and youth His life was not marred by a single wrong thought or act (DA 88).

 It is largely by the precept and example of their parents that the character of children is determined. When children are privileged to see in their parents’ lives a reflection of the tenderness, justice, and patience of God, they come to know Him as He is (PP 308). The cultivation of love for, trust in, and obedience to earthly parents prepares children to love, trust, and obey their heavenly Father (see PK 245; 4T 337; see on Matt. 1:16). If parents will come humbly to the Saviour today, willing to be guided by Him in the training of their children, they are promised grace sufficient to mold the characters of their children as Mary did that of the child Jesus (see DA 69; cf. 512).

 Parents who would see the character of Jesus reflected in their children will avail themselves of the wealth of inspired counsel available on this important subject, and will diligently and patiently apply it in the family circle (see COL 80-89, 325-365; DA 68-74, 84-92; MH 349-394). Like Abraham, they will “command” their children and household (see on Gen. 18:19) with kindness, patience, and understanding (see Eph. 6:4; Col. 3:21)—yet with firmness (see on Prov. 13:24; 19:18).