After three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions, Luke 2:46 NABRE
Luke writes a story of Jesus and His family travelling to Jerusalem for the Passover, He is twelve at the time. Jews travel from their homes in groups for safety and support, to and from Jerusalem, celebrating Passover. After Passover the group heading to Nazareth leaves and Mary and Joseph trust Jesus is in the group. But at the end of the first day’s travel they could not find Him anywhere and deduce He must still be in Jerusalem. This is surprising because He is mature and responsible so His missing from the group is a reason for worry. They return to Jerusalem and search for Him for three days before finding Him in the temple. Realizing He stayed behind on His own they were upset with Him, and consider His action disobedient. Luke telling the story provides many hints for Jesus’ future death and resurrection; He is found on the third day, it is a time of Passover and occurs in Jerusalem, even Mary and Joseph walking away from Jerusalem and then returning is a reminder of the two strangers who meet Jesus on the road to Emmaus (Luke 24:13-33.)
A profound message in this story is the search for Jesus. Everyone who comes to Jesus searches for Him. However we come to Jesus, invited to an event by a friend, some pain in our life that requires prayer, nudged toward Jesus through life events, even as a child introduced by parents, at a certain point in our relationship with Jesus we must find Him ourselves. We may find Him in the temple, or church, or with His Father, or in the love received from another person. Wherever we find Jesus, it is the finding that changes our life, don’t stop searching.
Where did you find Jesus? Are you surprised at the places Jesus can be found?
Everyone who comes to Jesus searches for Him. We may find Him in the temple, or church, or with His Father, or in the love received from another person. Wherever we find Jesus, it is the finding that changes our life, don't stop searching. Click To Tweet#bible #godisgreat #jesus #christianity #dailybibleverse @youversion #BeAnEncourager #search #find #Luke #everybodyalways #god #jesuschrist #jesussaves #godisgood #dailydevotion #biblestudy #scripture #bibleverse #verseoftheday #cross #last #gospels #loveeachother #godisgreat #thisVineyard #youversion #everythingalways