Derek Smith, Lead Pastor LHBC

Luke 2:41-49
41 Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover. 42 And when he was twelve years old, they went up according to custom. 43 And when the feast was ended, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents did not know it, 44 but supposing him to be in the group they went a day’s journey, but then they began to search for him among their relatives and acquaintances, 45 and when they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem, searching for him. 46 After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. 47 And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. 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. Mama almost went to drinkin’ that night! 

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 the boy 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 in their losing Jesus there is 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. 

PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Father God, forgive me for forgetting You. Jesus, You died for me but often times I just forget to live for You. You never left, so I’m coming back to You. I want to worship you, serve You, and share You with others once again. In Jesus name I pray, amen. 

MEMORY VERSE OF THE WEEK:
1 Corinthians 2:9
What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him