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The Search for Jesus: Discovering Faith and Wisdom
Luke 2:41-52
41 Every year Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem for the Festival of the Passover. 42 When he was twelve years old, they went up to the festival, according to the custom. 43 After the festival was over, while his parents were returning home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but they were unaware of it. 44 Thinking he was in their company, they travelled on for a day. Then they began looking for him among their relatives and friends. 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.”
49 “Why were you searching for me?” he asked. “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?”[a] 50 But they did not understand what he was saying to them.
51 Then he went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. But his mother treasured all these things in her heart. 52 And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.
Monday 24th January
41 Every year Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem for the Festival of the Passover. 42 When he was twelve years old, they went up to the festival, according to the custom. 43 After the festival was over, while his parents were returning home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but they were unaware of it.
Have you ever had to plan for a trip? In the run up to a trip it is often chaotic trying to get ready, and then when you finally reach your destination you can begin to relax. Here we see that Jesus and his family had gone on a journey to Jerusalem – I wonder what the atmosphere would have been like with people from all over the place coming to celebrate the festival of Passover together. But when it came to leaving, Jesus stayed in Jerusalem without telling his parents his plan. When you were a child, did you ever wander off from your parents? Did you think you know best? Take a moment and think back to how you felt in that moment – was it exciting, nerve-wracking, or exhilarating? What do you think was going through Jesus’ mind at this time?!
Tuesday 25th January
44 Thinking he was in their company, they travelled on for a day. Then they began looking for him among their relatives and friends. 45 When they did not find him, they went back to Jerusalem to look for him.
After a day of travelling, Jesus’ parents finally realise he is not with them. Can you imagine the panic as they searched for him, possibly calling his name, whilst waiting for him to pop out and say “here I am!”. I wonder what would have been going through their minds – they had just lost the son of God!! Have you ever experienced losing something and ended up going on a frantic journey to find it? A journey where you have to start back at the last place you had it? Do you ever feel lost in life? I know I do sometimes. Where do you return to when you feel lost? Do you go back to God or do you stay in the place of frantic searching?
Wednesday 26th January
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.
Three days. That is how long it took to find Jesus. And where is he? Still in the temple courts, sitting with the teachers, revealing at the age of 12 there was something special about him. How many 12 year olds do you know who love to learn?! Everyone was amazed with Jesus! Even from a young age, he knew his identity and found himself in situations where he developed.
Have you ever found yourself getting so lost in a conversation that time just seems to disappear? When was the last time you stopped to learn from those around you? Here, we see a clear example that it is good to listen and ask questions. Often we can find ourselves trying to work out things alone, but we do not have to. Find someone you can talk to and learn from – we can always learn something from other people!
Thursday 27th January
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.”
49 “Why were you searching for me?” he asked. “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?”[a] 50 But they did not understand what he was saying to them.
Could you imagine the relief when Jesus’ parents finally saw him? I wonder if they went through a range of emotions – frustration, anger, relief, and even joy. Have you gone through these emotions before? Searching for something can become stressful. Jesus’ response to his parents reveals he understood his relationship with God. He knew where he was supposed to be. He has a calmness about him in the midst of the anxiety his parents were feeling. Are you feeling anxious about anything just now? Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal his peace to you.
Friday 28th January
51 Then he went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. But his mother treasured all these things in her heart. 52 And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.
Even through the chaos of leaving Jesus behind, Mary knew something important had happened and she treasured it her heart. Have you ever felt a sense of reward when you have found what you are looking for? That all the stress was worth it? When we are in the midst of something, it can be hard to see the positives. This challenges me to try to stop the next time I find myself searching for something. I would rather be where Jesus was – sitting, learning, and asking questions. How can you position yourself better to have a clearer mind-set? Allow the Holy Spirit to help you to grow this year and see what impact this has in your life!
Saturday 29th January
Psalm 121
1 I lift up my eyes to the mountains—
where does my help come from?
2 My help comes from the Lord,
the Maker of heaven and earth.
3 He will not let your foot slip—
he who watches over you will not slumber;
4 indeed, he who watches over Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.
Sunday 30th January
5 The Lord watches over you—
the Lord is your shade at your right hand;
6 the sun will not harm you by day,
nor the moon by night.
7 The Lord will keep you from all harm—
he will watch over your life;
8 the Lord will watch over your coming and going
both now and forevermore.
Elyse MacKinnon
Overnight Welcome Centre Manager
Photo by Jr Korpa on Unsplash
