Increasing in Stature and Favor with God and Man

A Troubled Mind needs Change that Only God Gives

Increasing in Stature and Favor with God and Man

At age 12 years old, Jesus was left behind as Mary and Joseph returned to Nazareth. It was after a day they realized Jesus was missing. Returning to Jerusalem, they found Jesus in the Temple asking and answering questions of the wise men there. Jesus obeyed and traveled with them back home, and the Bible says that Jesus increased in wisdom, in Stature and Favor with God and man.

I looked up the meaning of the word Stature and there were two definitions:

1: Natural height (as of a person) growth physically

2: Quality or “status” gained by growth, development, or achievement of the character of the person.

Jesus was developing in wisdom, also in determination to follow the commands of His Father God, and to not waver from what is right when he was tempted.  His will was strong to only do what pleased His Father God.

We are reading from Zechariah chapter 3 and his vision: “Then the Lord showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the Angel of the LORD, and Satan standing at his right hand to oppose him. And the LORD said to Satan, "The LORD rebuke you, Satan! Is this not a brand plucked from the fire?"

Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and was standing before the Angel. Then God answered and spoke to those who stood before Him, saying, "Take away the filthy garments from him." And to him, The Lord said, "See, I have removed your iniquity from you, and I will clothe you with rich robes."

And The Lord, said, "Let them put a clean turban on his head." So they put a clean turban on his head, and they put the clean clothes on him. And the Angel of the LORD stood by.”

We will stop there for a moment and consider what is happening. Joshua can represent more than one person, but let us say that he represents a sinner coming to Christ clothed in filthy rags of sin. As he comes to Jesus, his old garments are removed and a rich robe of righteousness is placed upon him.

But there is still a problem. His mind is not renewed, and although he is now a born again believer, he is still thinking as a natural man.

He is plagued with fear, anxiety, and worry. His imaginations run wild and are still unclean. His thought life where he thinks no one can see, is being exposed. God is concerned that Joshua renew his mind with the Word of God, and allow his mind and thoughts to be washed in the blood of Jesus.

So God offers this new believer a clean head piece or Turban, to cover his mind and thoughts. 

God offers him to receive the Mind of Christ, according to Philippians 2:5 - Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: and also 1 Corinthians 2:16 - For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.

And The Lord, said, "Let them put a clean turban on his head." So they put a clean turban on his head, and they put the clothes on him. And the Angel of the LORD stood by.

Now God desires to use the born again believer to administrate answers for the needs of his brothers and sisters in Christ. So we shall continue reading in Zechariah:

“Then the Angel of the LORD admonished Joshua, saying, "Thus says the LORD of hosts:  'If you will walk in My ways, And if you will keep My commands, Then you shall also judge My house.  (The word Judge here does not mean to criticize and find fault but to judge the difference between right and wrong, truth and error.)

Here we see Joshua (our believer) ready to do work in the Kingdom. God says to grow in Stature, stiffen your character, listen to the Holy Spirit, be willing and obedient to follow what God is asking of you.

God is elevating his children rather quickly to a place where they can stand in the courts of heaven and make decrees and declarations to bring about the Will of God on this earth.

We continue reading in Zechariah chapter 3

“And likewise you shall have charge of My courts; I will give you places to walk among these who stand here. 'Hear, O Joshua, the high priest, You and your companions who sit before you, Says the LORD of hosts, 'And I will remove the iniquity of that land in one day. In that day,' says the LORD of hosts, 'Everyone will invite his neighbor under his vine and under his fig tree.' "

As we prepare to pray over our city, we must be ready and willing to stand in the court of heaven and make decrees and declarations. God is not willing that anyone should perish, but he never forces citizens to serve Him, they must come with a desire and decision to make a once and for all choice to follow Jesus and allow Him to clothe them in rich garments and to include a clean turban over their minds. May hard hearts of our citizens, become tender, and spiritual eyes and ears be open to the Holy Spirit to have a spirit of repentance, and commitment to our Lord and Savior.