The second chapter of Luke is popular this time of year, and rightfully so. It tells the Christmas story, the account of Christ’s birth with all the majesty and wonder that lends itself to the hope and warmth of the Christmas season!

Directly following is a rather peculiar vignette in the scriptures that is also familiar but deserves a closer look as I think there is a great lesson in it for us. Verse 40 tells us how Jesus grew in wisdom and became strong in the spirit-and the grace of God was upon HIm. Beginning in v. 41, a story unfolds about Mary and Joseph traveling to Jerusalem with Jesus when he was 12 years old to attend the Feast of the Passover. When the festivities had ended, Jesus stayed.

“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.” (vs. 43-45)

Mary and Joseph assumed Jesus was with them. They assumed he was following them and he was somewhere within the company they were traveling with. Don’t we make the same mistake sometimes? As believers, when we are saved, Christ is conceived within us. As His spirit grows within us, and we grow in Him, we are to be following HIM, not expecting Him to follow US.

Are you following Him today? Or are you assuming He’s somewhere in the mix-somewhere in the chaos of your life as you travel along. Have you seen Him lately? If you haven’t, be like Mary and Joseph-go back to where you last saw Him. Was it at church, but you haven’t been in a while? Go back. Was it during personal prayer and worship, but life got crazy? Make time for it. Or maybe it was under a starry sky in the silence of the night with a million lights. That’s where the shepherds were when they first heard Him-away from the noise and the never-ending clamoring of the world. Go back, get away. Go find Him.

All of these could lead you to Him, but there is one sure place you will always find Him. It’s where Mary and Joseph found Him. After 3 long days of frantically searching, they arrived at the Temple and found Him among the teachers, speaking with an authority that astonished the people. Jesus will always be found in the teaching of the scriptures. If we are diligent to search, and have ears to hear and eyes to see, we WILL find Him there-being about His Father’s business, sharing with the world the love of God-the way of Salvation-the Hope of Christ-the Faithfulness of the Spirit-the Promise of Heaven.

I will end with a great promise that we, as believers have. Jesus will never leave us or forsake us-but we can stray away from Him. However, He as a good shepherd, will always look for his lost sheep. You may not be seeking Jesus today, but take heart my friend-He is looking for you!