October 14, 2024
Derek Smith
Lead Pastor
Luke 2:48-49
48 And when his parents saw him, they were astonished. And his mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us so? Behold, your father and I have been searching for you in great distress.” 49 And he said to them, “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?”
I still remember it like it was yesterday. A while back our son Anderson, who was 4 years old at the time, decided to hide at our house. The only problem was, he didn’t tell his mom, and that little stinker is a pro at hide and seek! He crawled under our bed and stayed there for almost an hour. Chrystal screamed for him in the house, outside, and all around our neighborhood for 30 minutes before the police were finally called. She was frantic, and rightfully so. About the time the officer pulls up to the house out strolls Anderson with a big grin on his face. Needless to say his mother was not happy!
Mary and Joseph went to Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover, but as they journeyed back home they realized they left something, or better said someone, very precious to them behind. They left Jesus back in Jerusalem. Now this encourages me because we are not the only ones to lose or leave a child! It’s good to know even Mary and Joseph lost a child every now and again! But losing Jesus offers us an incredible lesson.
Have you ever lost Jesus? We come to the house of God on Sunday, but then as we journey back to our everyday lives it’s easy to leave Jesus behind and not even realize it. We get so distracted by the circumstances of life that we lose Jesus. Oh, we’re still saved, we’ve just forgotten the Lord. Where is Jesus? He’s right where He always was. He never leaves nor forsakes us, we are the ones who wander from him.
So, where’s Jesus? Jesus is in your unopened Bible. He’s in your unspoken prayers. He’s back at church where you haven’t been in a while. He’s in that financial offering you haven’t given. He’s in that conversation you haven’t had with your neighbor about the gospel. Today, turn around and go back and get Jesus. He’s right where He’s always been, in the presence of the Father.
Lead Pastor
Luke 2:48-49
48 And when his parents saw him, they were astonished. And his mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us so? Behold, your father and I have been searching for you in great distress.” 49 And he said to them, “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?”
I still remember it like it was yesterday. A while back our son Anderson, who was 4 years old at the time, decided to hide at our house. The only problem was, he didn’t tell his mom, and that little stinker is a pro at hide and seek! He crawled under our bed and stayed there for almost an hour. Chrystal screamed for him in the house, outside, and all around our neighborhood for 30 minutes before the police were finally called. She was frantic, and rightfully so. About the time the officer pulls up to the house out strolls Anderson with a big grin on his face. Needless to say his mother was not happy!
Mary and Joseph went to Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover, but as they journeyed back home they realized they left something, or better said someone, very precious to them behind. They left Jesus back in Jerusalem. Now this encourages me because we are not the only ones to lose or leave a child! It’s good to know even Mary and Joseph lost a child every now and again! But losing Jesus offers us an incredible lesson.
Have you ever lost Jesus? We come to the house of God on Sunday, but then as we journey back to our everyday lives it’s easy to leave Jesus behind and not even realize it. We get so distracted by the circumstances of life that we lose Jesus. Oh, we’re still saved, we’ve just forgotten the Lord. Where is Jesus? He’s right where He always was. He never leaves nor forsakes us, we are the ones who wander from him.
So, where’s Jesus? Jesus is in your unopened Bible. He’s in your unspoken prayers. He’s back at church where you haven’t been in a while. He’s in that financial offering you haven’t given. He’s in that conversation you haven’t had with your neighbor about the gospel. Today, turn around and go back and get Jesus. He’s right where He’s always been, in the presence of the Father.
Posted in Daily Devos