The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom and the favor of God was with him. John in our first reading has some good advice for the young as they venture into the world. John realizes that, in comparison to the other members of the society, the young stand on fickle ground because of their enthusiasm and energy. In their attempt at independence, young people become susceptible to the fleeting ‘goodies’ that the world enticingly dangles before them. John advices them to be weary of the jungle that the world is and to be on guard lest they find themselves swept downstream into oblivion. But John also has some good news to share with them: theirs is not a losing war! Theirs is a war that has already been won for them even before it starts (they have been forgiven, they know the Father, and together they have conquered the evil one). Had John written his epistle before the time of Jesus, we would have concluded that Jesus heeded John’s advice. For as we read in the Gospel today, Jesus grew up full of wisdom even as God’s favor rested upon him.
Jesus needed not to have been aware of John’s advice for God’s favor to rest upon him. John simply reiterated what had been there from the beginning. God’s favor rested on Jesus because he was obedient to God and to God’s word. He understood that God was his Father and with God’s help, he was able to conquer the evil one. The word of God remained in him.