“And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it” (Luke 2:43). With this exception, the Bible mentions little about Jesus’s younger years. Every year, Joseph took his family, accompanied by neighbors, to Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover. After the celebration, the company of people headed for home rejoicing. Nothing happens without a purpose in God’s eternal plan. The group traveled a day’s journey from Jerusalem when they realized that Jesus was nowhere to be found. I cannot imagine the fear that gripped the hearts of Mary and Joseph when they heard the news that Jesus was missing. They immediately went on a frantic search to find their twelve-year-old boy. It is an interesting fact that one day’s journey without the Christ Child on their minds cost Mary and Joseph three days of agonized searching and grief.
Once they located Jesus, Mary scolded Him, “…and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing” (Luke 2:48). Many are often quick to blame God for the trials that arise in their lives. Some even scold Him for allowing them to happen. God never leads us where He doesn’t need us. This event in the young life of Christ jarred the truth in Mary and Joseph’s hearts and minds that Jesus was on a mission from the Heavenly Father; “And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father’s business?” (Luke 2:49).
The missing Christ Child served as a reminder to Mary and Joseph that Jesus was the Messiah. When we analyze the situation, we find they did not know where He was in Jerusalem either. Distractions are on every corner of our walk with God. If you leave Him at church every Sunday and don’t include Him in the activities of Monday through Saturday, He may go missing in your life, too. Include the Lord Jesus in each compartment of your personal and professional lives. He needs us also to be concerned about the Father’s business! Have a blessed day!
By Missionary Mike VanHorn