Full Question
You indicated the Lord Jesus did not experience disease or violence upon his person until the final 15 hours of his mortal life. While this may have been true during the ministry, do you think it was true during his developmental years?
Answer
The evidence we supplied was from Psalm 91 which is referenced in the course of our Lord’s temptation (Matt. 4:6 citing Psa. 91:11,12). During the ministry, the necessity for such a provision was occasioned by the diseases to which the Lord was exposed and by the violent opposition to his teachings. If his life was not to be prematurely terminated, special protection was mandatory.
While during his first 30 years of life the Lord’s exposure to problems was not so drastic, he still must be preserved and prepared for the great task ahead. He would be able to say, “The LORD hath called me from the womb; from the bowels of my mother hath he made mention of my name. And he hath made my mouth like a sharp sword; in the shadow of his hand hath he hid me, and made me a polished shaft; in his quiver hath he hid me” (Isa. 49:1-2). No disease or physical abuse could occur that would be fatal or permanently damaging to him. You are likely correct, however, in suggesting that would not preclude normal childhood diseases or minor injuries. Nor, I suppose, would it rule out difficulty with some neighbor children.
The very specific application of Psalm 91 must have begun with his baptism. That would be fitting, as the other two temptations resulted from the special abilities granted him at that time.
“The Valley of the Shadow”