“When they had finished the days, as they returned, the Boy Jesus lingered behind in Jerusalem. And Joseph and His mother did not know it; but supposing Him to have been in the company, they went a day’s journey, and sought Him among their relatives and acquaintances. So when they did not find Him, they returned to Jerusalem, seeking Him.” (Luke 2:43-45)
A famous pianist once said that if he went a day without practice, he would know it. If he went two days without practice, the conductor would know it. And if he went three days without practice, everyone would know it.
How long could you go without Christ before noticing that He was missing? It took His parents a whole day before they realized that He wasn’t there. And where was He? He was in the temple seeing to His Father’s business (Luke 2:49). The account illustrates for us a very important point. It was not Jesus who had left His parents. It was they who left Him. And when they sought Him, they found Him right where they left Him.
“For He Himself has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.'” (Hebrews 13:5)
I’m sure we’ve all, as children, misplaced something and, when complaining to a parent or guardian about not being able to find it, been told, “well, it’s gotta be somewhere. It didn’t just grow legs and walk away.” And what did we find upon locating the missing object? It was, indeed, right where we left it.
When we find ourselves without Christ, it is not because He forsook us. Rather, it is because we, through either carelessness or conscious disobedience, left Him behind.
“Everyone who goes on ahead and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God. Whoever abides in the teaching has both the Father and the Son.” (2 John 9 – ESV)
The good news is that, unlike those pesky car keys or the match to that black and grey sock, Jesus is not hard to find. He can’t be stolen, moved, or sucked into the realm of lost socks. He will be right where you left Him.
How blessed are we to have a heavenly Father who is always willing to welcome us back home.
“But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him. And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet. And bring the fatted calf here and kill it, and let us eat and be merry; for this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ And they began to be merry.” (Luke 15:20-24)
Where are you as you read this? Do you need to return to the Lord?
Come home.
“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9)