Luke Chapter 2: Verses 42-46 (NLT Translation)
When Jesus was twelve years old, they attended the festival as usual. After the celebration was over, they returned home to Nazareth, but Jesus stayed in Jerusalem. His parents didn’t realise at first because the assumed he was with other travellers. But when he didn’t show up that evening, they started looking for him among their relatives and friends.
When they couldn’t find him, they went back to Jerusalem to search for him there. Three days later, they finally discovered him in the Temple, sitting among the religious teachers, listening to them and asking questions.
People who don’t live close to, or who have little connection to extended family members might find this passage difficult to comprehend. But I grew up with lots of cousins and loved visiting them and their parents. And if we were sleeping over, it could get a bit busy! This trip to Jerusalem for Passover was something Jesus and His family and friends did annually, and they would all travel by caravan and so I’m sure younger members of the families did all spend lots of time together on the journey. And that’s the assumption that Mary and Joseph made when they thought Jesus was with other family members. When they realised that this wasn’t the case, they had to go back to Jerusalem to find Him. And they found Him in the Temple discussing the things of God with teachers of the law.
We too can make assumptions about the closeness of our relationship with Jesus. Are we so busy doing things, even those which are good and right, that we don’t have time to spend with Him? Its too easy to be like that, and before we know it, we realise we’re not as close to Him as we should and need to be.
It’s also not enough for our friends and family to have that relationship with Jesus. We need to have it ourselves too. And if we feel we’ve got a bit distant we need to go back to the place where we last knew that closeness. If we make that effort, even if it means retracing our steps, if we look for Jesus with all of our heart, we’ll definitely find Him!
Dear Lord,
Help me never to make assumptions about my relationship with Jesus. May I always make time to spend with You face to face, rather than vicariously through others. I ask in Jesus’ Name. Amen.