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In Luke chapter 2 is the story of when Joseph and Mary leave Jesus behind. It begins in verse 41. Luke tells us it was their custom every year for Joseph and Mary to go to Jerusalem and observe the “Festival of Passover.” Luke tells us that Jesus was about 12 years old so likely he was mature enough to be trusted by his parents enough that they didn't need to hold his hand or keep a watchful eye on him at every single moment. According to the historical writings of Josephus there were massive crowds in Jerusalem during Passover. Passover in Jerusalem was the place to be, kind of like Times Square on New Year’s Eve. Jerusalem was overflowing with pilgrims from across the Roman world as the Passover feast drew near. Some pilgrims began arriving a week early so that they could purify themselves.
Luke 2:43 NIV After the festival was over, while his parents were returning home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but they were unaware of it.
During the “Festival of Passover” life would have been hectic and chaotic for Joseph and Mary. For us today we frequently let life get so hectic and chaotic we frequently forget Jesus as well. I am confident that it is possible that for some of the Jews the “Festival of Passover” had just became something they did every year without putting a lot of heart into it.
This is not much different than what church has become for many modern day professing Christians. It is just something we do for an hour on Sunday morning without putting a lot of heart into it and when we leave the church building, we leave Jesus behind as well. We go about out the next 6 days of the week without even a thought of Jesus. Our bible sits in the same spot it was after we returned home from church, until the next Sunday morning. We go about our life totally unaware of where we left Jesus.
Luke 2:44-45 NIV Thinking he was in their company, they traveled on for a day. Then they began looking for him among their relatives and friends. When they did not find him, they went back to Jerusalem to look for him.
Have you came to the realization that you have left Jesus behind? That he is not a part of your daily life? Since the COVID pandemic shut down church, attendance has been discouraging. Many people that attended church on a regular basis before the pandemic have just not returned. They have forgot where they left Jesus. If so maybe like Joseph and Mary we need to begin looking for him, but where do you start? Maybe you need to start looking for Jesus in the same place that his parents did.
Luke 2:46, 49 NIV After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. “Why were you searching for me?” he asked. “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?”
If you’ve drifted away from Jesus. If you have forgotten where you left him. I want you to know this important truth: He is always there, waiting for you to come back. If you haven’t picked up a Bible in weeks. If you rarely pray and you can't remember the last time you attended church, If your life is hectic and chaotic and you forget where you left Jesus just remember, He’s never too far away. Reconnecting with Jesus can be as simple as a prayer and an intentional attitude of returning to his house.
