Growing in Knowledge of Jesus
Tuesday’s Verse:
From 2 Peter 3:18 ESV
“But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.”
Growth takes time. We see that in nature, in families, and even in our country’s history. Presidents come and go. Seasons change. Years pass. But one kind of growth matters more than any other: growing in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ.
Peter doesn’t tell us to grow by trying harder or proving ourselves. He says, “grow in the grace.” That’s important. Grace is God’s undeserved favor toward sinners. It is not something we build. It’s something we receive.
In the Lutheran understanding, we grow the same way we began: by grace alone. The Holy Spirit works through the Word and Sacraments to deepen our trust in Christ. As we hear the Gospel preached, as we remember our Baptism, as we receive the Lord’s Supper, God is at work. He strengthens faith. He matures us. He keeps us steady when the world feels uncertain.
Growing in “knowledge” doesn’t simply mean learning more facts about Jesus. It means knowing Him personally. Trusting His promises. Resting in His finished work on the cross. The more we know Him, the more we see that our hope is not in earthly leaders, but in our crucified and risen Savior.
✝️ A Prayer for Today:
Merciful Lord, help me grow in deep knowledge of Your beloved Son, Jesus Christ. Build up my trust in His work that brought me the forgiveness of my sins. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
Apostles’ Creed:
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth.
And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended into hell. The third day He rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From thence He will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer:
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven; give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.
Luther’s Morning Prayer:
I thank You, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray that You would keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You. For into Your hands, I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen.
The photo above is licensed through Unsplash+