Have you ever lost something or thought you lost something, only to find it exactly where you put it the whole time or at least where you thought it might be?
Losing something can make us frantic. I can only imagine what Mary and Joseph felt like when they realized that Jesus was missing after they left Jerusalem. Today, we are going to talk about Luke 2:41-52.
Luke 2:41-46 says, “Every year Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem for the Passover festival. When Jesus was twelve years old, they attended the festival as usual. After the celebration was over, they started home to Nazareth, but Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents didn’t miss him at first, because they assumed he was among the other travelers. But when he didn’t show up that evening, they started looking for him among their relatives and friends. When they couldn’t find him, they went back to Jerusalem to search for him there. Three days later they finally discovered him in the Temple, sitting among the religious teachers, listening to them and asking questions.”
Parents, have you ever lost your kid in the store? When I was a kid, we used to hide from my mom by going into the circle clothing rack. I’m sure the first time that happened my mom had a little freak-out. But we were right there in the building, and we were found pretty quickly. Mary and Joseph took a whole day to realize Jesus was gone and then couldn’t find him for another three days.
I think once you find what you lost, it is the relief and release of fear that is really important. When we find the Lord, there is a release of so much, and we can feel it almost immediately because when you find what you have been looking for for so long, you are relieved when you finally get it.
How you handle yourself when you have lost something says a lot about your character. We can react in so many different ways because when our adrenaline kicks in, we might have a hard time controlling how we might react.
I lost or thought I lost something yesterday, and once I realized where I had actually put it, I was so relieved. My kids took notice as well, and that’s because my facial expressions don’t know how to behave. So of course, my kids made a comment about how I looked like I was about to be frantic. I wasn’t close to that, but it is possible that that could have happened if I hadn’t taken the time to think about the whole situation.
Luke 2:48 says, “His parents didn’t know what to think. ‘Son,’ his mother said to him, ‘why have you done this to us? Your father and I have been frantic, searching for you everywhere.’”
We don’t know every detail about Mary and Joseph finding and speaking with Jesus, but I can see the first thing Mary would do is hug Jesus. Then I’m sure Mary probably has a mom voice and a stern yet concerned face going on. But what I don’t get is an absolutely hysterical mom in this story. I see a concerned and worried mom who is relieved to find her son.
We see in many stories in the Bible how much joy there was when what was once lost was found. That is because you are no longer missing what you were, and there is only joy that fills your heart.
Luke 2:51-52 says, “Then he returned to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. And his mother stored all these things in her heart. Jesus grew in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and all the people.”
One of my favorite lines in the Bible is, “And His mother stored all these things in her heart.” As a parent, I often want to hold on to as many memories and lessons as I can. So, when this is mentioned about Mary, it reminds me to hold close to Jesus and learn from Him.
When reading this scripture, I can see what it would be like from a different perspective when we are lost and found by the Father and return to obey Him. He seeks us out, and when we finally are back with Him, He is so joyful and relieved that His child has been found and is returning to Him.
I want to store all the lessons of what I have found because of God in my life. I also want to grow in wisdom and truth because I have been found and saved by the Lord our Father.