Advent - Day 23

45 When they did not find him, they went back to Jerusalem to look for him. 46 After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. 47 Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers. 48 When his parents saw him, they were astonished. His mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you.”

Luke 2:45-48


We are anticipating the birth of the Messiah, Jesus Christ, our Lord. This is advent. And this year we are following Luke’s gospel as he passes on to us the eyewitness accounts of Jesus’ life.

Can you imagine what the news would do with a twelve year old getting lost in Sydney for three days? It all seems very Home Alone to us, how do you lose your twelve year old for three days?

Most likely, Joseph and his family have travelled with a large group of family and friends from local villages. Jesus wouldn’t necessarily have been walking with His parents the whole time but also walking with other children His age or family members.

At the same time, you feel for Mary and Joseph. You can hear their thoughts. Not only, we’ve lost our son. But, we’ve lost the Messiah! This, though, is perhaps the very thing that Luke records. Notice the little detail, after three days they found Him?

One day, many years from this moment, Mary will again lose her Son in Jerusalem. And He won’t be in the temple or the city. He will be dead. But after three days He will be found and this will be to the amazement of many.

And because of this. We who were lost can now be found. We weren’t lost in Jerusalem, but in our sins. Far from God and without hope in the world. But in Jesus we can be found. And for those who trust in Christ, we have been! That’s something to celebrate this Christmas.

For Today:
  • Have you ever been lost in a strange place?
  • Where would you be if Jesus didn’t find you?
  • Celebrate your ‘foundness’ in Jesus.

Pray:
  • Praise the Father that He raised Christ from the dead.
  • Give thanks for Jesus who rescues us from being lost in our sins.
  • Ask God for His Holy Spirit to help you and others rejoice in being found.
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