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. -Luke 2:42-52
I don't know if you have ever had the experience of a child missing for a while or not but it is a very horrifying experience to say the least. I have experienced it several times and there are a couple of those times I’d just as soon never repeat.
Thinking of one that relates to this story, I digress. We were traveling one morning to West Union, OH where I was pastoring a church and had stopped by a gas station to refuel. My son who was a little tyke at that time had, unbeknownst to us, hopped out of the back of the van because he needed to go to the restroom. I was pumping gas, my wife had run inside for something, and my daughter had stayed in the van. I briefly remembered seeing him get out of the van but thought he had returned. We hopped in the van and headed on our one-hour journey to West Union.
We all assumed he had gotten back in the vehicle and none of us checked. He was notorious for climbing behind the last seat in the van and laying down for the trip. He was little enough to sleep just about anywhere. We were about 20-25 min down the road and for some reason his name came up. My wife called his name and he didn’t respond. We asked my daughter to check behind the seat to verify he was asleep and indeed behind the seat. To our surprise, he was not in the van. Panic set in as we began to frantically try to remember when we last saw him. Being a quiet natured kid, it was easy for him to be present but unnoticed. My mind began to race, my wife was praying, and we were all horrified at the possibilities of things that could happen to a lost kid. To add to our stress, we were out of cell service.
I immediately turned around and went back to find him. I remember my mind was paralyzed with fear. I had to will myself to actually think it through and try to retrace our
steps that morning. “Had I seen him even get in the van before we left the house? Had he fallen out somewhere and we hadn’t noticed? Did I leave at the gas station?” It suddenly occurred to me when I thought about the station that I vaguely saw him in my peripheral vision go inside the gas station. I called the station and the authorities once in cell service and asked them, if they saw my son, to remain with him and I was on the way. Thankfully, he was at the station and had seen us pull out. He figured we’d eventually notice and return to get him. We drove back to the station and found him waiting in one piece with a police officer and all was well, thank God! We chuckle every now and then about it but at that moment, it was far from funny.
Not to fault Mary and Joseph, but I have never been able to figure out how they went three days before noticing Jesus was gone. Perhaps kidnappings were not as prevalent back then, or the band of familial travelers was so populated that they thought he was somewhere safe, talking to someone. I still can’t comprehend a three day journey before realizing Jesus wasn’t in the crowd. One day I hope to have an answer.
When I think of this story, I think of something even more bizarre and frightening. I wonder how many people will get to the end of their road and be hit with the shocking realization that Jesus wasn’t with them like they thought he was. They supposed him to be close by. They supposed him to be in their life. Someone told them that he was in their heart if they just believed. Someone had them repeat a man-made prayer and just accept it by faith.
The Bible says,
“Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:”- 2 Peter 2:10
We are to make sure of our calling with diligence. I don’t want to hope Jesus is with me, I don’t want to suppose he’s in my life, I want to KNOW for sure he’s in my heart. Jesus wants you to know for sure he abides in you!! That is why he gave us the gift of the Holy Ghost!! His spirit will baptize us according to his word and he will speak through us, just like the voice spoke out of Heaven at the Baptism of Jesus! It will be a sad day for some who stand before the judgment seat having supposed they were ready to meet God!
Consider the words of Christ:
"Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity."-Matthew 7:21-23
These people were doing wonderful works in the name of Jesus. They supposed he was with them. They supposed he was working with them and they had his favor. They never took time to get to the altar and check. The word “know” is a Biblical word that refers to intimacy. This group never took time to know the Lord and to walk with him in Spirit and in Truth as is recorded in John Chapter 4. I don’t want any surprises on judgment day. I want to know I’m holding his hand and he’s holding mine.
These people were doing wonderful works in the name of Jesus. They supposed he was with them. They supposed he was working with them and they had his favor. They never took time to get to the altar and check. The word “know” is a Biblical word that refers to intimacy. This group never took time to know the Lord and to walk with him in Spirit and in Truth as is recorded in John Chapter 4. I don’t want any surprises on judgment day. I want to know I’m holding his hand and he’s holding mine.
It turned out ok with Mary and Joseph that day when they found him in the temple. It turned out ok with my family when we finally relocated my son. however, don’t be one of those who suppose God is walking with you only to get a big surprise when you cross over into eternity! Eternity is way too long to be wrong!! You can know of a surety that God is with you when you allow him to fill you with his precious Spirit and you live a daily life of reconnecting with him through the power of his Spirit! Jesus said, “My sheep, know my voice and another they will not hear!”
Get to know the voice of Jesus so you can avoid an eternal surprise that you wish you’d never experienced. In Jesus name!