JESUS (5).

*WISDOM FOR TODAY.*

*JESUS (5).*

*Scripture Treasure.*

Lk 2:49 - 52:

*And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.*

*Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the passover.*

*And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast.*

*And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it.*

*But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day's journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance.*

*And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him.*

*And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions.*

*And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers.*

*And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing.*

*And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business?*

*And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them.*

*And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart.*

*And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.*

*Insight and Highlight.*

No one can do without Jesus.

*Scripture Commentaries.*

No one can do or go anywhere, without Jesus.

Mary, the (biological) mother of Jesus and Joseph his (legal but not biological) father of Jesus went to Jerusalem.

After observing the yearly Passover, they both left Jerusalem, not knowing Jesus was not with them. Jesus was only twelve years old.

Jesus had stayed back in Jerusalem.

For three days they searched for Him. They

eventually found Him in the temple asking questions of the teachers.

Mary and Joseph's omission of Jesus was neither out of a rush nor did they accidentally leave Him behind.

Jesus was not glad He was left behind or was He overjoyed of any wish come true to be left alone but was glad of His newfound divine freedom to identify and realize His purpose.

He said to His parents, who were seeking Him in sorrow, that He must be about His *"......Father's business?*

There are a few lessons we can learn from this.

First is though the bible did not tell us that neither Mary nor Joseph intentionally left Jesus behind in Jerusalem but we can establish neglect of parental duty.

There are times we often take God's presence for granted.

We often think Jesus is with us when He is not actually with us.

We often think it is His irrevocable right and our deserving privilege to have Him with us when we do not take enough spiritual measures to encourage His presence with us.

Mary and Joseph presumed Jesus's unwavering presence regardless of whether or not they ensured it.

They took child care and child response to guardianship as one that would come from a child they had failed to keep watch over.

This act is one of severe consequences of compromising one's faith with our presumptions.

Divine presence is conditional just as our children's protection and presence with us are conditional on our continued supervision.

Jesus' omission, though was divine, was

cautionary tale against presuming God's favor and presence despite continued neglect.

Second is, God is never lost, we are the lost ones.

While enjoying his newfound divine role, neither Mary nor Joseph admitted wrong in their parental duties for neglecting Jesus.

They made significant appeal but were non-apologetic taking everything they loved about Him to a higher level of whipping more sympathy for themselves as parents and 'blaming' Jesus for causing them sorrow.

They asked Jesus *".......Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing.*

How quick we often whip up sympathy for ourselves, blaming God for what He has freely given us to protect or enjoy but we have failed to do?

No mention of any neglect or blame on their part but blames on Jesus.

Was Jesus not in their company on the way to Jerusalem? How did they leave Jerusalem, as father and mother, not know their child was missing? What were they thinking?

Third is, Jesus will attend to other Kingdom businesses when we fail to look up or pay attention to Him.

Could we possibly ask 'Why did Jesus not look for His parents when He did not find them just as they were looking for Him when they could not find Him?

The answer may be found by expressing that they ought not have lost Him. The parents were not supposed to look for what God had freely given them to take care of.

They were never expected to lose Him

We come to Jesus never to lose Him.

He finds us never to look for us again!

Jesus as a human-boy could not be idle just as Jesus as God would not be.

He must work the works of Him that sent Him *"......while it is day; the night cometh when no man can work."* John 9:4.

Fourth is,while God wishes to reconcile us to Himself (2 Cor 5:19), those who know they have left Jesus behind must go back to find Him.

As Mary and Joseph could not rest until they found Jesus so we must go back and find Him where we left Him!

It took Mary and Joseph three days and possibly untold expenses with worries and anxiety to find Jesus. This could have been avoided if they had done the needful which was to keep Jesus, never to lose Him or let go.

Have you found Jesus? Do not let go of Him.

Is Jesus missing in your life?

Go now, and find where you have left Him (ref Rev 2:4).

Joseph and Mary did, so can you!

*Remorse corner.*

Jesus had found us. He does not expect that we lose Him, Luke 9:62.

*Call to Word action.*

We were once lost but found, never to be lost again, John 10:28-29.

*The Christian clarion duty.*

We can not do without Jesus. Anyone who has lost Him must go back to find Him again (John 15:5).

*Prayer.*

Lord help me. Do not let me ever lose You in Jesus name.

Good morning all and have a blessed day.

God bless you.

Shalom.